Let’s not repeat a terrible history, urges Berzins

On May 8, remembering the Defeat of Nazism and Commemoration Day of Victims of World War II, Latvian President Andris Berzins urges the community not to permit attempts to re-write Latvia's history and repeat the turn of events of World War II, reports LETA.

"World War II was the most terrible massacre, stemming from an absurd ideology turned into an era of obsessive authoritarianism," Berzins said. He recalled that World War II ended only 69 years ago and that the memories will never fade.

Berzins believes that the commemoration of the victims will always be a sacred gesture, and those who died because of Nazi ideology should be remembered every year on May 8.

"At a time rife with armed conflict and people dying every day, when uncertainty and ignorance prevail over answers to questions, contemplating World War II is especially harsh. Humanity cannot allow a similar recurrence of historical events," Berzins stressed.

"Our strength and the future of our country exist in a united vision about an independent Latvia," Berzins said. He urges a halt to questioning this and the attempts to re-write history. He called for commemoration of the war victims on May 8 in a ceremony to be held at Riga's Brethren Cemetery.