Day of the Restoration of Latvian Independence

Day of the Restoration of Latvian Independence (Latvian: Latvijas Republikas Neatkarības atjaunošanas diena) is a Latvian national holiday and event, being celebrated annually on 4 May. It marks, like the other Baltic republics, the restoration of the Latvian Republic by official declaration by the Supreme Soviet of the Latvian SSR on May 4, 1990. The country would not however, have complete independence, only achieving full independence from the Soviet Union on December 25, 1991.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Indulis Bērziņš, Speaker of Saeima Jānis Straume, President of Latvia Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga and Prime Minister Andris Bērziņš (from left to right) laying flowers at the foot of Freedom Monument to commemorating Day of the Restoration of Latvian Independence in 2002

Observances

The Freedom Celebration or the May 4 Freedom Celebration is an annual military parade in Latvia which has been held since 2012 in honor of the Day of the Restoration of Latvian Independence. It is one of the main events of the day. The parade is usually the first of two full military parades held per year in the country, with the other being held on November 11, Lāčplēsis Day (Latvian: Lāčplēša diena), the commemoration day for soldiers who fought for the independence of Latvia. Every year, the parade is held in various Latvian cities outside of the capital of Riga.[1] The parade usually starts at 11:00 am and typically involves around between 500-1,000 troops of the Latvian National Armed Forces, including personnel representing the Land Forces, Navy, Air Force, National Guard, State Border Guard, Special Tasks Unit, Military Police and military academies. Being a NATO member, the parade also features military servicemen from NATO countries such as the United States, Canada and Germany. The following is a list of parades by year:

If the holiday is on a weekend date, the following Monday is an observance date. As per the Riga celebrations, a flower laying ceremony is always held at the capital's Freedom Monument.

The NAF Staff Band at a flower laying ceremony at the Freedom Monument in 2016.

In 2016 an initiative called "White Tablecloth Day" (Latvian: Baltā galdauta diena) was launched by the Ministry of Culture in context of Latvian Centennial celebration (2018) inviting people of all communities to gather around a table and celebrate together. The goal of White Tablecloth Celebration is to strengthen the tradition of gathering family, friends, neighbours, and communities around the table on 4 May to consciously celebrate our country and honour those who helped to create and protect it. We generate the feeling of celebration together on White Tablecloth Day as each person brings something to add to the table and to the conversation. White Tablecloth Day is a reminder that the restoration of the independence of the Republic of Latvia was the result of relentless action, courage and audacity of certain individuals. [7]

References
  1. "Latvia marks restoration of independence day". Public Broadcasting of Latvia. May 4, 2018. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  2. "Ministry of Defence". mod.gov.lv. Retrieved 2018-11-19.
  3. "Latvia: Independence Day festivities May 4". garda.com. Retrieved 2018-11-19.
  4. "May 4 military parade for Madonna". The Baltic Word. Retrieved 2018-11-19.
  5. "Bruņoto spēku parāde Madonā. Tiešraides arhīvs". lsm.lv. Retrieved 2018-11-19.
  6. "Speech by President of Latvia Raimonds Vējonis before the military parade in Madona | Website of the President of Latvia". president.lv. Retrieved 2018-11-19.
  7. "Latvia celebrates restoration of independence day". Public Broadcasting of Latvia. May 4, 2017. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
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