From Soviet Union to European Union

In 1991 Latvia shook off the shackles of the Soviet Union, ending 51 years of forced occupation and rule of the country by Nazi Germany (1941-44) and the Soviet Union (1940-41 and 1944 -1991).

In 2003 the people of Latvia (or 73% of them) turned out at polling stations to take part in a referendum on joining the European Union. Opponents of membership argued that Latvia should not give up the sovereignty it had so recently gained from the Soviet Union while supporters, among other arguments, put forward to view that membership would actually protect Latvia from any future Russian pressure.

Over two thirds of those who cast a vote voted in favour of membership and Latvia duly joined the European Union in May 2004, along with seven other former Communist countries: the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia..

I came across this small, particularly ugly, sculpture less than 100 metres from the bank of the Daugava River en-route from the Big Christopher statue to Riga Castle and Our Lady of Sorrows Church. Not being an expert in Latvian but seeing the blue stars I surmised that it had something to do with commemorating Latvia joining of the European Union in 2004.

Well, no not directly it didn’t but indirectly it did. On subsequent research I have ascertained that Eiropiade or Europeade is an organisation which runs an annual folk festival in European Union countries. As it happened, the festival was held in Riga in the year it joined the European Union and the sculpture is a gift from Europeade to Riga to commemorate the city’s hosting of the event in 2004.

I can find no information as to who is responsible for this piece of art but I imagine their mother knows and still loves them all the same!

Location: Close to the intersection of Daugava Gatve and 11 Novembra Krastmala

This blog entry is one of a group (loop) of entries on the Old City area of Riga. I suggest you continue with my next entry – Big Christopher – or to start the loop at the beginning go to my first entry – SamaraH Hotel Metropole – Riga.