Dear patriots of Latvia!
Today is the National Partisans’ Armed Resistance Remembrance Day.
It is a day when we honour the will, courage and skill of Latvians to fight against the Soviet occupation with weapons in their hands.
On March 2 and 3, 1945, in Stompaki, Latgale partisans won the biggest battle in the history of Latvian national partisans.
The outcome of World War II was already decided. For Latvia, it meant repeated Soviet occupation, terror, repression and russification.
However, this Remembrance Day reminds us of the patriotism, courage and heroism of those who fought with arms in their hands against the overwhelming occupying forces.
Our task is to consolidate the history of resistance in the national memory. We must proudly tell the international community about it.
I thank the people who study the history of the national partisan movement. I thank all those who keeps nurturing the memory of the national partisans.
On this day, I invite you to honour the people who defied the Soviet occupation regime and were ready to fight for Latvia in the most difficult circumstances!