The President of Latvia noted that no figure could express the loss that the state and public of Latvia experienced in the result of the destruction of most of the Jewish community during World War II. The twentieth century has left several deep wounds in the history of Latvia. One of them is July 4, the date when the first victims died at a burning-down synagogue in 1941, marking the way to the massacre in Bikernieki and Rumbula forests.
“Unfortunately, the ghosts of the twentieth century have not disappeared at present. Conflicts and hostilities are taking place in regions nearby and far away. Xenophobia, hatred, and intolerance to everything else emerge in the community and in the public space. Today we can hope only on those who still recall the dreadful events in the past,” acknowledged Raimonds Vējonis.
