Egils Levits
Aicinām ar veselīgu un personīgu “Paldies!” pateikties neatkarības izcīnītājiem
Chancery of the President of Latvia invites all Latvian residents and diaspora members to find time during the long weekend (1 May–4 May) to say personal, individual, healthy and active ‘thank you’ to all those who supported the fight for freedom and independence of Latvia 30 years ago in a safe way, without breaking the emergency rules.

‘Employees of President’s Chancery have come up with an exciting and healthy idea: to say symbolic thank you to everyone who supported the Third Awakening, either with their thoughts or work, and fought for independence and freedom of Latvia by going for an individual or family walk or exercise in the neighbourhood and drawing a GPS picture with ‘thank you’ during the long weekend. People’s support was crucial for adoption of the Declaration on Restoration of Independence of Latvia thirty years ago, on 4 May 1990. Back then as well as today doctors were fighting on the front lines – the first Latvian Physicians' World Congress was one of the early signs of the Awakening. We invite all people in Latvia and fellow countrymen living abroad to join our campaign if it is not against restrictions put in place in their country of residence,’ said Andris Teikmanis, Head of the Chancery of the President of Latvia who was one of the MPs who voted for declaration in 1990.

You can go for a run, walk or bike ride to draw your ‘thank you’ in your neighbourhood. Please share the images and your ‘thank you’ GPS picture on your social media using the hashtag #PaldiesParBrīvību (#ThankYouForFreedom).