In the context of Latvian history, the opposition to Soviet and Nazi occupation is the chapter that has been widely researched yet still largely unknown. Significant findings have been published, yet the overall research in this area remains fragmented and scarce. National resistance movement is still waiting to be given a prominent place in the collective memory of Latvian society. Understanding of how Latvians resisted Soviet occupation after the war is even less common and comprehensive outside Latvia.
How to strengthen the values associated with national resistance movement in the democratic thinking and education of people? What is the contribution of state and civic society to better communication with audiences inside and outside Latvia on our national history? How to avoid false representation of history? How to include Latvian national resistance stories into common European commemorative culture?
These and many other aspects will be discussed during the conference by President of Latvia Egils Levits, historian and researcher of University of Latvia Institute of Latvian History Uldis Neiburgs, and historian and researcher of the University of Latvia Institute of Philosophy and Social Sciences Reinis Ratnieks.
The following discussion on how to tell and spread the awareness about Latvian history will see President of Latvia be joined by Rihards Bambals, Head of Strategic Communication Coordination Department at the State Chancellery, Andris Razāns, Latvian Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg, Kārlis Sils, historian and researcher at the European University Institute, Solvita Vība, Director of the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, and historian and senior researcher at the University of Latvia Institute of Philosophy and Social Sciences Kaspars Zellis.
Discussion will be moderated by historian and lead researcher of Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences Gatis Krūmiņš.