During the commemorative moment at the Memorial to the victims of genocide against the Jews in Riga, Raimonds Vējonis reminded that the crimes of the Holocaust were introduced and organized from outside during World War II, which destroyed the State of Latvia and thousands of our fellow human beings. The President of Latvia called for the continuation of exploring the pages of the Holocaust history, by commemorating the victims of the Holocaust of Jews and entire Latvia, “The Holocaust tragedy is a reminder to us for being vigilant today as well. We still witness on a daily basis how fragile the border of understanding is about other cultures and religions. Everybody must be aware of their responsibility if appeals to intolerance and hatred are declared."
“Unfortunately, the Holocaust did not take place without local collaborators and executors of the crimes either and those crimes do not have any lapse and excuse. It is of utmost importance for us, the generations that did not witness that horror, as they were not born yet, to understand that,” said the President of Latvia. “Remembering heroes of those times, rescuers of Jews, who rescued fellow human beings under real life danger for themselves and their families during the Holocaust and preserving testimonies and memories about those brave people are equally important.”
On the Commemoration Day of the Victims of Genocide against the Jews, the President of Latvia will also visit Museum “Jews in Latvia” and Žanis Lipke Memorial Museum.