Jūsu Majestāte, Jūsu ekselences, Zviedrijas un Latvijas muzeju direktori, godātie mākslinieki, viesi!
Latvija šovasar laistās trīs zvaigžņu mirdzumā. Tautas atjaunotā Brīvības pieminekļa trīs zvaigznes lepnumā mirdz par Rīgu, kura pirmo reizi savā simtgades jubilejā ir neatkarīgas valsts galvaspilsēta un svin savas valsts atjaunotās neatkarības desmit gadus. Mēs varam priecīgi svinēt arī tāpēc, ka mums ir tik daudz labu draugu. Šodien redzam visapkārt, cik radošs un dziļš izdevies Latvijas un Zviedrijas draudzības darbs, atklājot abu valstu kopīgās kultūrvēstures lappuses.
Kā garīgs ceļojums šī izstāde izvedīs mūs cauri latviešu – zviedru laiku lokiem, no vikingu un kuršu laivām, cauri Vidzemes zviedru gadiem, cauri starpkaru draudzībai, kas vainagojās ar pirmo karaļa vizīti neatkarīgajā Latvijā, un tā bija Zviedrijas karaļa Gustava V vizīte. Šodien, kad atklājam izstādi, ar patiesu prieku sveicu Rīgā Zviedrijas karali Kārli XVI Gustavu un esmu gandarīta, ka mūsu valstis sasaista kopā simtiem tūkstošu draudzības saišu – no valstiski oficiālām līdz cilvēciski sirsnīgām.
Arī Rīga un Stokholma kā divas māsas ir šīs kopīgās vēstures dalībnieces. Svinot savas apaļās jubilejas, tās viena pie otras ciemojas – šogad pie 800dīgās Rīgas ciemojas Stokholma, nākamgad pie Stokholmas 750 gadu svinībās klāt būs Rīga. Trīs zvaigznes un trīs kroņi – tik tuva un tik skaisti atšķirīga ir šajos simbolos ietvertā Latvija un Zviedrija.
I am very pleased that the opening of this Three Stars – Three Crowns exhibit coincides with significant dates in the history of both Latvia and Sweden. This year Riga celebrates the 800th anniversary of its official foundation. And this year, for the first time in its long history, Riga celebrates a centenary anniversary as the capital city of an independent Latvian nation. This is a momentous event not only for Riga, but for the entire country, and I extend a most hearty welcome to all of Riga’s guests, who have come from both near and afar to pay tribute to this great city along with us.
We are particularly honoured by the presence of Carl XVI Gustav, the King of Sweden, at the opening of this exibit.
Next year this exhibit will travel to Stockholm, which is preparing to mark its 750th birthday. Over the centuries Stockholm and Riga have grown like sister cities on opposite shores of a shared Baltic Sea. Both cities have evolved into noteworthy and modern metropolises, and both have placed a great deal of emphasis on the maintenance of their historical heritage. Anniversary celebrations such as these provide a reference point for reflecting on the past and planning for the future.
This month Latvia is also celebrating another significant anniversary. Ten years ago, Latvia re-established its independence from the Soviet Union and regained the right to forge its own fate. Sweden was one of the very first countries to recognize our independence and to renew diplomatic relations with us, and for this Latvia is truly grateful. Latvians will always remember that for 79 uninterrupted Mondays in succession, Swedish inhabitants gathered to express their support for Baltic independence in public demonstrations.
The 800th anniversary of the founding Riga, the 750th anniversary of the birth of Stockholm, and the 10th anniversary of the renewal of diplomatic relations between Latvia and Sweden provide a splendid opportunity for our two countries to strengthen their excellent relations as neighbours, as friends and as allies.
The monumental Three Stars, Three Crowns exhibit provides a fascinating insight into the history, religious traditions, and cultural evolution of Latvia and Sweden. It will highlight that which our countries share in common, and simultaneously indicate where our paths of development have diverged. This exhibit will help us get to know each other better and to strengthen our ties of friendship and cooperation.
Latvia and Sweden are close neighbouring countries. The west coast of Kurzeme is located a mere 150 kilometres from the east coast of Gotland. However, the closing of the Iron Curtain severely limited the contacts between our two countries for five entire decades. As a result, many people in Sweden know very little about Latvia even today. I am pleased that since the reestablishment of my country’s independence, the people of both of our nations have been displaying an increasing interest in learning more about each other. This Three Stars – Three Crowns exhibit and other significant projects will continue to strengthen the bridge of friendship that is developing between our two like-minded nations on the shores of the Baltic Sea.
The Baltic Sea, which for so long had kept our people separated, is now bringing us closer together in the consolidation of a common Northern European regional identity. I am also pleased that Swedes can now read translations of Latvian literature and Latvian folk songs in their own native language, and gain an understanding of the values and insights that Latvians have passed on in oral form for centuries, from generation to generation. Latvians, for their part, now have access to Latvian translations of well-known Swedish literary works, including Swedish poetry. I hope that the Culture Festival of the Baltic States in the Nordic Countries, which will take place in September and October of this year, will continue to raise the interest of Scandinavians in the beauty and diversity of the three Baltic countries.
Once again, I would like to thank all those who helped to realize this magnificent gift to Riga on its 800th anniversary, and hope that this Three Stars – Three Crowns exhibit inspires the creation of similar noteworthy projects in the future.