Figure 1.--Here we see Latvian children celebrating Independence Day (Novemnber 18) probably about 1930. There is even a small band to add to the display. |
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Latvian national holidays include: January 1--New Year's Day; Good Friday; Easter Sunday; May 1--Labor Day; June 24--Midsummer; November 18--Independence Day; December 24-26--Christmas. This holiday is celebrated on 18 November. If the day is on the weekend, then the following Monday is a holiday. Latvia's National Day is also known as Latvijas Republikas proklamēšanas diena (Proclamation of the Republic of Latvia). Independence Day commemorates declaration of independence of the Republic of Latvia from German and Russian occupation at the end of World War I (November 18, 1918). The People's Council of Latvia proclaimed independence in the building that today houses the National Theatre in Rīga. The country remained independent until the World War II. As part of the NAZI-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact, the Soviet Red Army seized the country and initiated a brutal suppression of the Latvian people (June 17, 1940). The NAZIs droive out the Soviets (1941), but the Red Army returned (1944). The restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia was proclaimed (May 4, 1990). Like the other Baltic republics, Latvia did not regain its independence from the Soviet Union for more than four decades (August 21, 1991). This second independence declaration is commemorated annually as the Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia holiday (May 4) each year. Many festive events are organized throughout the country on Latvia's National Day, including a nationally televised address to the people by the President. In recent years this speech is given before large crowds in the square by the Freedom Monument in Rīga.
Christmas in one of the most important holidays in Latvia. Like Easter, however, it was discouraged for many years by Soviet authorities promoting athiesm. The Christmas season in Latvia begins with Advent. Many families put up Advent wreaths. Father Christmas is an important Christmas figure for Latvian children. He traditinally brings presents on each of the 12 days of Christmas, beginning on Christmas Eve. The presents are usually put under the family Christmas tree. The children thus get about 2 weeks of presents, but of course most are small treats. Latvians claims to have put up the first Christmas Tree. They insist thsat the first documented use of a evergreen tree at Christmas and New Year was at town square of Riga (1510). Little informatin is available on this first tree ther than it was attended by men wearing black hats and that after an undescribed ceremony, it was burnt. At the time it was a German-dominated Hanseatic town. Latvians attend a church service on Christmas Eve. This is more common than on Christmas Day. The Christmas Day meal is another tradition. Popular foods include potatoes with sauerkraut and pork, brown peas/lentils with bacon (pork) sauce, small pies, cabbage and sausage. Gingerbread is a major Chrstmas tradition. The major gifts are exchanged following the Christmas meal. The children are expected to recite a short poem while standing next to the Christmas tree!
Easter as in other European countries is a mix of Christian and pagan traditions. The Baltics were on of the last areas of Europe yo be Christianized as part of the Northern Crusades. The Livonian Crusade led to the Christionazation of Latvia and Estonia (13th century). The Christian Church commonly eased the transition from paganism to Christianity by incorporating pagan ceremonies into Christisn celebrations. For Christians, Easter celebrates the resurrectioin of Christ. This fit nicely into pagan traditions which celebrated the Spring equinox - a kind of resurrection of the natural world. iEaster is known as 'Lieldienas,' meaning Big Days and originally the name of the ancient pagan spring equinox celebrations. The pagan celebrations involved the arrival of spring and return of the sun. Ancient rituals were meant to assist the land wake up from its winter sleep and ensure the fertility of the land and bless it. Basically a wonderful fit for Christain Easter.
Latvians celebrate both Good Friday and Easter Sunday. An imprtant part of Easter celebrations was eggs, both coloring and various activities with them. Before modern dyes, onion skins were used. The egg was seen as a symbol of the sun, which in pagan times has been looked upon as a fertility symbol. A popular tradition was family egg fights. The objective is to hold an egg while others hit the top. The person who has a whole egg without a cracked shell after the fight is the winner and will live a long life. Nearly five decades of Soviet rule and atheist camapigns significantl eroded Christian beliefs. This affected the religious celebration of Easter. Some of the non-religious aspects of Easter havecontinued.
The restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia was proclaimed (May 4, 1990). Like the other Baltic republics, Latvia did not regain its independence from the Soviet Union for more than four decades (August 21, 1991). This second independence declaration is commemorated annually as the Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia holiday (May 4) each year.
This holiday is celebrated on 18 November 18, a week after the World War I armistice on the Western Front. If the day is on the weekend, then the following Monday is a holiday. Latvia's National Day is also known as Latvijas Republikas proklamēšanas diena (Proclamation of the Republic of Latvia). Independence Day commemorates declaration of independence of the Republic of Latvia from German and Russian occupation at the end of World War I (November 18, 1918). The People's Council of Latvia proclaimed independence in the building that today houses the National Theatre in Rīga. The country remained independent until the World War II. As part of the NAZI-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact, the Soviet Red Army seized the country and initiated a brutal suppression of the Latvian people (June 17, 1940). The NAZIs drove out the Soviets (1941), but the Red Army returned (1944). Many festive events are organized throughout the country on Latvia's National Day, including a nationally televised address to the people by the President. In recent years this speech is given before large crowds in the square by the Freedom Monument in Rīga.
Christmas in one of the most important holidays in Latvia. Like Easter, however, it was discouraged for many years by Soviet authorities promoting athiesm. The Christmas season in Latvia begins with Advent. Many families put up Advent wreaths. Father Christmas is an important Christmas figure for Latvian children. He traditinally brings presents on each of the 12 days of Christmas, beginning on Christmas Eve. The presents are usually put under the family Christmas tree. The children thus get about 2 weeks of presents, but of course most are small treats. Latvians claims to have put up the first Christmas Tree. They insist thsat the first documented use of a evergreen tree at Christmas and New Year was at town square of Riga (1510). Little informatin is available on this first tree ther than it was attended by men wearing black hats and that after an undescribed ceremony, it was burnt. At the time it was a German-dominated Hanseatic town. Latvians attend a church service on Christmas Eve. This is more common than on Christmas Day. The Christmas Day meal is another tradition. Popular foods include potatoes with sauerkraut and pork, brown peas/lentils with bacon (pork) sauce, small pies, cabbage and sausage. Gingerbread is a major Chrstmas tradition. The major gifts are exchanged following the Christmas meal. The children are expected to recite a short poem while standing next to the Christmas tree!
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