Although, if you look through the archives of not so distant times, and the current Latvians among the honorable of the founders of the Duchy of Kurland in the seventeenth century, too, there are heroes in pith helmets colonizers of Africa and even Tobago in the Caribbean sea, where, incidentally, according to the will of Daniel Defoe skidded and the famous Robinson Crusoe.
the fact that in the beginning of summer the parliamentary Commission on human rights and public Affairs Committee by a margin of one vote supported the proposal to ban the use of the ribbons at public events. It is clear that “the log in the eye” at the national which is concerned about the establishment still look huge celebration on the banks of the river Daugava on the day of the defeat of fascism and the popular ribbon of the heroism of the participants. The very symbol of military glory, which adorned the button-hole and one of the knights of St. George, Oscar Kalpaks first commander of the armed forces of Latvia, a monument which was erected in the years of independence in the centre of Riga. Surely the clouds are gathering and the memory of the local warlord, wonder concerned patriots.
That’s why a radical initiative to “Ban the fools in the diet!” gathered on June 18 at the Parliament building in the Old town hundreds of participants of the meeting of the Russian Union of Latvia, protesting against the plans of the nationalists to ban the use of two-tone symbol of heroism and courage at public events.
According to regulations, said the co-chair of the RSL Latvia, a former MEP Miroslav Mitrofanov, a bill may be included in the agenda of the nearest plenary sessions. However, the leadership of the Seimas is not in a hurry with final decision, probably, the politician believes, because of the clear inadequacy of the proposals of the nationalists. On the other hand, he said, they are all a part of the ruling coalition, and the rest of the participants are hesitant to go into open conflict with the radicals.
moreover, reminiscent of news sources, last year, the MEP from Latvia Sandra Kalniete in the yard of a private house in Pardaugava arranged together with the Brussels-based colleague Karlis Shadursky demonstrative burning of the dresses from her wardrobe in the colors of St. George’s cliche, apparently, finally repenting of his political taste.
by the Way, browsers have to admit that Latvia’s policy increasingly resembles the capricious Baltic weather. Five years ago, in particular, the group of deputies has submitted for consideration a similar bill, which was later excluded from the agenda. Last year with a similar legislative initiative, again bursting into the open door, part of the ruling coalition, national Association.
the Protest rally, said Mitrofanov, drew attention of the deputies, ��the attempt on St. George ribbon “not only violates the freedom of speech, but is a useless idea. We are determined to continue to use the ribbon as a symbol of the commemorative events on 8 and 9 may,” he said.
Over the years, he added, in the Latvian society there is a strong tradition to consider the ribbon only in the memory context of the Second world war and gratitude to the Soviet soldiers who defeated Nazism. “Tradition does not prevent the absolute majority of the population. And instead of ideological prohibitions would be better if MPs were engaged in the economy and social issues” – reasonably said the politician.
to Fight with memory and symbols, in his opinion, – it is a failure. “We thought out response several steps ahead. And if you ban the historical symbol of victory, he assured, “we will distribute thousands of flags in her colours. But if the hot heads are smart enough to ban these colours in the territory of Latvia, the party organizes the distribution of red ribbons, symbolizing the Victory banner. If you ban red ribbons – we will distribute red flags”.
so until the voters get tired of the barbaric radical activity in the diet, and they will hesitate to vote for the nationalists.
would Be out of place to add that the St. George award, established over 250 years ago, received a significant portion of the military elite of Latvia. They were embellished tunic and thousands of Latvians during the years of the First world war, voluntarily joined the Russian army. From battalions of Riflemen began to form on the fronts of battle regiments and even brigades, reminiscent of historical documents.
