1969 Soviet Union: The Baltics

Freedom Monument - Riga

The tall pedestal and statue is the Freedom Monument, which was erected in the 1920's to celebrate Latvian independence. Soviet authorities threatened to demolish it after the Second World War. It was saved through the efforts of many, including prominent architects from other parts of the Soviet Union.

Pēteris Stučka monument - Riga

At the time of our visit, the national university in Riga was known as "Pēteris Stučka Latvia State University." This statue of Pēteris Stučka was on the university grounds. He was a Latvian Bolshevik leader who served as head of the communist national government from 1918-1920. After the "Reds" were defeated by the "Whites" in the civil war of that era, Stučka lived in exile in Moscow and served in the Soviet government until his death in 1932. When Latvia regained its independence in 1991 the university was renamed "University of Latvia" and the statue was removed.

Supreme Soviet/Saeima (Parliament) Building - Riga

This is the main entrance to the Saeima (Parliament) Building, which was constructed in the 19th Century when Latvia was part of the Russian Empire. It served as the seat of the national legislature before and during the period of Soviet rule and has continued in that capacity since independence was restored in 1991. Notice the plaques to either side of the doorway - in Latvian on the left and in Russian on the right.