Awakening in the Baltic countries was enabled by two major historical events that took place around 40 years ago. First, the election of a Polish priest as Pope John Paul II in 1978. Secondly, the establishment in September 1980 of the first trade union in a Soviet satellite state, Gdańsk Shipyard Solidarność. 17 000 shipbuilders went on strike against the authoritarian rule controlled by Moscow. The founder of Solidarność, Lech Wałęsa, became a symbol of freedom aspirations in all Central Europe and the Baltics.
The example of Solidarność shows us that it is possible to topple a totalitarian regime by means of wide and peaceful social protests and conviction. It is the example that inspired us, everyone who fought for restoration of Latvia’s independence and achieved it in 1990.
The example of Solidarność and Poland’s determination continues to inspire today its neighbouring nation towards the goals of freedom, democracy and independence. I express my deepest gratitude to Lech Wałęsa, a true friend of Latvia, and everyone who helped him, and Poland, to defend human rights and the rights of nations back then and to this day.