Good evening, Young Guard candidates!
Good evening, esteemed participants of the Barricades!
Good evening to all gathered here!
Thirty-five years ago, people gathered here on Zaķusala with main task was to protect our television, to safeguard the spirit of our emerging independence and freedom. At that time, in Vilnius, the bloody Soviet regime attempted to crush the freedom and aspirations for independence of the Baltic states after fifty years of occupation.
Many people lost their lives, and the aim was to intimidate us all – to frighten us so that we would abandon our efforts to break free from Soviet occupation, from the Soviet camp, from the Soviet regime. But they failed. They failed in Vilnius, they failed in Riga, and they failed in Tallinn.
That was a time when our civil society, our courage and determination won a decisive victory. It was a moment when we protected our independence in the same spirit as those who had once fought for Latvia’s freedom 107 years ago.
Today is also the moment when I am especially pleased to address you – the future members of the Young Guards. You have come here to take your solemn oath, committing yourselves to act and work for the good of our country. You will have the opportunity to acquire new skills. Under the guidance of your instructors, you will learn not only about the history of our state, but also acquire the abilities that will help you in everyday life, prepare you for the future, and strengthen your readiness to contribute to Latvia’s defence and security. I sincerely hope and encourage you to learn and fulfil, to the best of your ability and conscience, what you are pledging today – to work for a better Latvia!
My thanks go to the instructors and to all those who support you so that you may fulfil your oath to the best of your ability. I urge you to make the most of every day and every opportunity within the Young Guards, because it will help you in life, unite you, and teach you discipline, and true patriotism.
I would like to express my deep gratitude to the participants of the Barricades! Many years have passed. Perhaps some memories have faded a little, yet many remain vivid and unforgettable.
This is also a time when we clearly understand that we must not relax our vigilance. We cannot do so when, just beyond our borders, a brutal war unleashed by Russia’s aggression in Ukraine continues. We see that we still have many adversaries. Once again, we must stand up for the fundamental values that were vital thirty-five and thirty years ago: our democracy, our civil society, and freedom of the press. There are still attempts to challenge these freedoms, to make us dependent once more on a single imposed “truth” and to break our spirit. We must remain united in defending our state’s freedom, democracy, and civic values.
I call on everyone to be strong, resolute, and aware that we will be challenged. But we are ready to stand firm and defend our country – our Latvia.
God bless Latvia!
