THE AWAKENING AND THE RESTORATION OF LATVIAN INDEPENDENCE
The exhibition “The Awakening and the Restoration of Latvia’s Independence” is unique because, alongside the well-known events in Riga, it reflects the historical events of those days in Ogre and its surroundings. For example, the closing concert of the “Baltica ’88” folklore festival at the Ogre open-air stage and the hoisting of the Latvian flag […]
The exhibition “The Awakening and the Restoration of Latvia’s Independence” is unique because, alongside the well-known events in Riga, it reflects the historical events of those days in Ogre and its surroundings. For example, the closing concert of the “Baltica ’88” folklore festival at the Ogre open-air stage and the hoisting of the Latvian flag for the first time not only at the People’s House but also at the Mazozoli parish water tower, thus expressing the residents’ attitude and desire for their independent state.
Video stories will be displayed on a screen in one of the museum’s windows, where participants of the Awakening will share their experiences, emotions, and reflections on this significant period for our country.
CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS
1985
* On March 11, M. Gorbachev was elected General Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee. The period of perestroika and glasnost began.
* 14. In June, several members of the US Congress commemorate Baltic Freedom Day; demonstrations take place in all Latvian centers. Various actions by diaspora organizations continue in the following years. These were very significant, drawing the world’s attention to the Baltic states.
* 24. In September, the Central Committee of the LCP and the Council of Ministers of the LSSR adopt a decision on the construction of a metro in Riga.
1986
* On July 10, the Latvian human rights defense group “Helsinki-86” was founded, which called for rallies to commemorate Stalinist repressions and on other days important to Latvian history.
* 17. In October, journalists Dainis Īvāns and Artūrs Snips publish an article “Thinking About the Fate of the Daugava,” expressing a protest against construction projects. The following year, the construction of the HPP is halted.
1987
* On February 25, the Environmental Protection Club (VAK) was founded, a significant organization in promoting independence processes.
* 14. In June, “Helsinki-86” organizes a flower-laying ceremony at the Freedom Monument.
* 23. In August, rallies took place in the capitals of the Baltic states, dedicated to the anniversary of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. Calls were made to eliminate the consequences of the pact.
1988
* On April 27, a VAK rally against metro construction took place in Arkādija Park. Around 10,000 people participated.
* On June 1 and 2, a plenum of the Board of the Latvian SSR Writers’ Union took place with the participation of leaders and experts from the Architects’, Designers’, Cinematographers’, Composers’, Artists’, Theater Workers’, and Journalists’ Unions. The adopted resolution marked the path towards the advancement of democratization processes in Latvia and became the initiator of the founding of the Latvian Popular Front.
* 14. In June, a rally took place at the House of Political Education of the LCP Central Committee (now the Congress House) in memory of those illegally repressed and killed on June 14, 1941, carrying the red-white-red flag for the first time in the post-war years.
* 10. In July, the Latvian National Independence Movement (LNNK) is founded at a general assembly of 2,000 people in Arkādija Park.
* 23. In August, large demonstrations take place, which are reported in major US newspapers.
* 7. In October, a demonstration of 150,000 people took place in Mežaparks under the slogan “For a Law-Governed State in Latvia”.
* 8. In October, the Popular Front of Latvia (LTF) is founded, with Dainis Īvāns elected as its chairman.
* 11. In November, Ēvalds Valters and Alberts Bels raise the red-white-red flag on the Holy Spirit Tower of Riga Castle.
* 26. In November, a public manifestation organized by the LTF, titled “For a Law-Governed State and Democratization,” takes place on the Daugava embankment.
1989
* On February 18-19, the first congress of the LNNK took place in Ogre, where the adopted statutes and program confirmed the initiated political course. The congress declared the movement’s ultimate goal to be “the restoration of an independent and democratic Latvian state”.
* 12. In March, an LTF manifestation takes place, with 250,000 people participating.
* 25. In April, a draft law on amendments to the Constitution is published, stipulating that the state language of the Latvian SSR is Latvian.
* 14. In June, a demonstration took place with 60,000 participants.
* 28. In July, in response to the USSR’s attempts to retain power, the Supreme Council of the Latvian SSR adopted a declaration of sovereignty.
* 23. In August, the event “Baltic Way” takes place, in which a 660 km long human chain is formed across the Baltic states. Approximately 2 million people participate.
1990
* On March 18, elections to the Supreme Council of the Latvian SSR took place, in which the Popular Front won.
* 4. In May, the Supreme Council of the Latvian SSR adopted a declaration on the restoration of the independence of the Republic of Latvia, which established a transitional period for the actual restoration of independent state power. The task of the new government, led by Ivars Godmanis, was to adopt laws, implement economic reforms, and create a state budget.
* In autumn, the leadership of the CPSU (Communist Party of the Soviet Union) prepared to violently overthrow the governments of the Baltic states.
1991
* From January 13-27, barricades were erected, resisting OMON special units and, with international support, helping to prevent the USSR government’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Latvia, which would have resulted in the introduction of USSR troops from Russia. 50,000 people participated in the barricades, protecting important objects.
* 19. In August, a coup d’état (putsch) began in the USSR. In the Baltics, the coup organizers declared martial law and dissolved parliaments.
* 21. In August, Latvia announces the full restoration of its independence. The border is taken under control, KGB institutions are liquidated, inter-movement leaders are arrested, and Lenin’s monuments are dismantled.
* 17. In September, the flags of the Baltic states are raised at the UN headquarters in New York, with the three Baltic states being admitted to the UN.
“OGRE KANGARI” HIKING TRAIL
We invite you to explore the hiking trail to better discover the hills of Ogre. View the photo gallery and read the story on the museum's website or Facebook page. By looking at historical images, you can compare how the city has changed over time. We have marked the route in the "BalticMaps" map browser. The “GPX” file is convenient to use with the LVM GEO mobile app. The total length of the hiking trail marked on the map is 14 kilometers (7 kilometers in Pārogre and 7 kilometers in Ogre center and Jaunogre). The hiking trail winds through both the urban part of the city (with asphalt, cobblestone, and gravel surfaces) and green areas (park paths and pedestrian-trodden forest trails without special amenities).
