Latvia has joined the group of oldest free nations – Vejonis

RIGA – As the year of Latvia’s centenary has started, Latvia has joined the group of the oldest free nations, said Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis at the opening ceremony of the centenary year of Latvia.

"Over the first 100 years we have won our independence, we have lost it during the occupation, but we have restored it again and we have our own country," said Vejonis, presenting a book "Continuity Doctrine in the Context of Latvian History" compiled by historians to the People’s Bookshelf of the Latvian National Library.

Parliament speaker Inara Murniece (National Alliance) donated books published by Saeima on the 1991 January and August events and restoration of Latvia’s independence. Prime Minister Maris Kucinskis (Greens/Farmers) donated a fairy tale book by Margarita Staraste, and Foreign Minister donated a diary and memoirs of diplomat Ludvigs Sejas to the People’s Bookshelf.

Also Latvia’s ex-presidents Guntis Ulmanis, Vaira Vike Freiberga, Valdis Zatlers and Andris Berzins made their book donations to the library.

Representatives of foreign delegations are also invited to donate books to the People’s Bookshelf. So far books with special wishes have been donated by Japan Prime Minister’s spouse Akie Abe, Danish Prime Minister Lars Rokke Rasmussen, and Georgian parliament speaker Irakli Kobakhidze.