President of Latvia Egils Levits and members of the Historical Latvian Lands Development Council met at the Riga Castle on 21 February to exchange thoughts on strengthening of historical Latvian lands and local culture spheres.
‘The purpose and the essence of the Historical Latvian Lands Law is defined in Satversme, i.e., ‘the State of Latvia has been established by uniting historical Latvian lands’. Our constitution established the intrinsic link between land, nation, people and their specific cultural and historical identity. Soviet regime used occupation to flatten and downplay the historic depth of Latvianness. Historical Latvian Lands Development Council has the mission to reveal the historic depth of Latvian State and people in all its richness, ensure diversity in Latvianness, make our cultural and historical identity stronger across historic regions and local communities,’ President of Latvia underlined as he opened the meeting.
It is our duty to pass the Latvianness to next generations with all cultural and historical depth and diversity they represent, President explained. Latvia must produce a sustainable policy, ensuring consistent national and local support, including funding, for building more sustainable cultural and historical environments. According to Egils Levits, central and local governments should work together with NGOs and local communities on achieving that.
