| Independence Day | |
|---|---|
.jpg) A column of soldiers at a flower-laying ceremony at the Freedom Monument, 18 November 2016 | |
| Observed by | Latvian people |
| Type | National |
| Date | 18 November |
| Frequency | Annual |
Latvia'sIndependence Day, officially known as theProclamation Day of the Republic of Latvia, is celebrated annually on 18 November inLatvia. It marks the anniversary of the Proclamation of Independence of Latvia by thePeople's Council of Latvia in 1918.
Various public events take place all over the country, including concerts and fireworks. Torchlight processions held by various organizations have been part of Proclamation Day celebrations andLāčplēsis Day celebrations since the 1920s.[1] The largest torchlight procession organized by theNational Alliance takes place in the capital cityRiga and attracts thousands of participants every year. Its route through the streets of the city centre traditionally starts at the monument ofKārlis Ulmanis, the first prime minister of Latvia, and ends at theFreedom Monument.[2][3] A popular modern tradition established in 2009, is for people all over the world to sing the Latviannational anthemDievs, svētī Latviju! at the same time (21:00EET).[4]
Another tradition with a long history is theLatvian National Armed Forces parade, which nowadays is held at 11 November Embankment in Riga and was reintroduced in 1998.[5][6][7] After the restoration of the independence, the first parade of the National Armed Forces took place in Riga at theFreedom Monument in 1993, which was dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Latvian state. The parade was also broadcast onLatvian Television. In 1998, the national holiday parade was held for the first time on 11. novembra krastmala (11 November Embankment). The limited and small area near the Freedom Monument was mentioned as the main reason for the change of the parade venue, as it did not allow the demonstration of all types of units of the National Armed Forces, as well as heavy weapons and military equipment. In 1998, armed formations of theMinistry of Defense and theMinistry of the Interior, as well as a company from the peacekeeping Baltic Battalion (LATBAT), stood in the parade dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the proclamation of Latvia. For the first time, theNavy ships, which were anchored in the Daugava opposite the embankment, took part in the parade. There was also the introduction of a 21-gun salute from cannons fired from the Ballast Dam with100 mm anti-tank cannons by soldiers of the Artillery Division of the Mobile Rifle Brigade. For the first time, the staff of all fiveNational Guard brigades also took part in the National Day parade and theJaunsardze ('Youth Guard') ofKazdanga Agricultural Technical School marched as the closing unit. Since Latvia joinedNATO in 2004, allied partner countries have participated in the parade.[8]
Authority control databases: National |
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