Ethnic disputes around WWII highlight ignorance of the past

RIGA - For many, May marks the beginning of spring, a time of showers turning to flowers and the winter chills turning to summer warmth. In Latvia however, as well as in many parts of the former Soviet Union and Europe, May means Victory Day, The Day of Europe, May Day, and for Latvia, the declaration of the Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia.
While all of

these events should carry a positive note, it is the divisiveness in society, between the ethnic-Russian population in Latvia (and the Baltic States) and the ethnic-Latvian population that makes the month of May particularly tense. For both groups, the month of May can be a controversial time, and, despite having joined the European Union in 2004, May remains a reminder of how far society has left to go in terms of ‘joining Europe.’
The most contentious issue is of course May 9. This date in Europe marks the Day of Europe, an annual event which commemorates peace and unity in the EU. This date, however, also marks the Day of Victory by Soviet forces and the capitulation of Berlin and Nazi Germany.

Though Berlin capitulated on May 8, technically, Russia celebrates on May 9, according to the capitulation in Moscow time. This is hardly unusual, as much of the ethnic Russian population in Latvia and the Baltics even celebrate New Years Eve according to Moscow time. A brief street poll revealed that in fact only a handful of locals knew that there even was a Day of Europe on May 9. While this may not be such a telling sign, the divisions of society are still present between the two ethnic populations.

“I do not know why they have to be so separate from society; they do not learn the language and they keep with their own customs. They are not citizens, they are not in the EU, why should they care about the day of Europe,” commented Biruta Celms, a pensioner from Kuldiga.
“Many people say they should go back to Russia, but even their homeland does not want them, they are stuck in the middle, so what can they do?” continued Celms.

Visitors and scholars have studied so-called minority rights in Latvia, and many come to the conclusion that there is a problem; there are not equal opportunities and minority groups are treated differently. However, according to the Latvia statistical bureau, a higher percentage of other minorities (from Ukraine, Belarus mostly) have become citizens and as such have learned the local language. This leaves the ethnic-Russian population as the minority group which is the most disadvantaged, largely a result of their lack of desire to integrate into society.
This divisiveness is far from being a Latvian problem, of course, as Estonia also has a large ethnic Russian population. The Bronze Soldier riots of 2007 showed the world just how much tension still exists there.
 The European Movement of Latvia is one of the biggest political NGO’s in Latvia, working to promote European unity as well as encourage participation in European affairs, something that is still a problem in Latvia despite having joined the EU in 2004.

The EM has roots in May as well and stretches as far back as 1948 when, from May 7 - 11, delegates from around Europe, presided over by Winston Churchill, gathered in The Hague to discuss ideas regarding the future development of the European Union. Flash forward to 2010. Unemployment is high; many Latvians have left their country for work in Western Europe. The Latvian attitude towards the EU is at an all-time low. The analysis of the Better-Worse Index score (the difference between the proportions of respondents who think that the situation will be better, and those who think that it will become worse) is at -16 for Latvia (compared to +36 in Sweden) in 2010, says one European Commission report.
Andris Gobins, the president of the organization, said that he hopes the attitude towards the EU will change. “We still have a long path ahead of us. Latvia is already a leading country in terms of participation, however, with NGO participation in state secretary meetings.”

The organization, with 700 members across Latvia, hopes to become more active in society, especially around the contentious month of May. Gobins hopes to accomplish much as he presides over the movement and looks forward to creating an “informed active civil society that participates.” And participation is indeed a problem.
The disruptive and contentious events of May 9 have typically been faced with much protest from the Riga City Council as well as Latvian nationalist groups. However, this year, Ugis Vidauskis, press secretary for the Riga city council, announced that there would be no ban on May 9 events. The Latvian Nationalist party “Visu Latvijai” (All for Latvia) has also cancelled the planned protest demonstration at the Soviet Victory Monument, where the celebration and protests generally occur. The party will instead hold a rally on May 8 in Riga’s Old Town to “draw attention to unresolved issues of Latvia’s de-occupation and de-colonization.” The celebrations on May 9 draw thousands from the ethnic Russian population and shut down streets leading up to the Victory Monument.

Mihails Vikis, an engineer, said “I don’t really pay attention to it, except when they disturb the public transport system or turn the place into a mess afterwards. In Latvia, there is a saying, don’t touch old crap, so it wouldn’t stink.” This, in fact, seems to be the prevailing opinion - don’t get involved, it will be over soon.
“The party ‘Visu Latvijai’ seems to take this approach this year, untypical for radicals like them. They are even going to celebrate separately from the Soviet lovers, but they will commemorate every soldier, Red, Nazi or Allied on that day, which is quite o.k. I think,” continued Vikis.

Janis, a history student at the University of Latvia, said that the division definitely exists still today. “Why this thing is so dividing for society is the fact that all those people are not just celebrating the victory, but glorifying the USSR, and Stalin in particular; they do not seem to understand that they did not free us, they occupied [us],” he said.
The questions that remain are many. Do the Russians not realize that by celebrating this day, they are not celebrating the “freedom of Europe” as they claim, but instead celebrating the beginning of many years of occupation, torture, executions, rape and persecution for those they supposedly freed? Or is it just a lack of understanding in seeing that what they did was wrong. An apology has never been issued for the thousands that were deported or killed, and worse, the Russian government does not see an apology as necessary. It is this difference of interpretation that led to the Bronze Soldier riots in Tallinn.

“If it weren’t for the Soviets, then the Nazis would be here; they would be speaking German. Over a hundred thousand Soviet soldiers died to free this country from the hands of the Nazi’s. For this reason we celebrate,” said retiree Bronislavs Daskovs, himself a veteran.
“It hurts to see when they march with their Nazi uniforms and lay flowers. Of course, we say this is wrong, we gave our lives to fight this, why should they now celebrate,” continued Daskovs.

Daskovs refers to the events of Legionnaires Day on March 16, commemorating the Latvian Legion fighting against Soviet forces during World War II. The Riga City Council, with Nils Usakovs as mayor, himself an ethnic Russian, tried to ban all events this year. While the events are usually quiet, 13 “anti-fascist” demonstrators were arrested last year, some of whom tried to unfurl a Soviet flag, which is banned in Latvia. Usakovs also has said that the Soviet occupation of Latvia was in fact not an occupation, and no apology should be issued.

The crux of the misunderstanding stretches outside of the Latvian borders, most recently in Britain between the Labor and Conservative parties with David Milliband condemning the support of ally For Fatherland and Freedom (a Latvian Party), saying they support Nazism. This accusation swept through Europe and the international media, bringing up questions of “Is Latvia fascist? Is neo-Nazism on the rise? Will it spread?”
In reality, as must be explained ad nauseum to those who have never picked up a history book or cared to ask anyone, the Latvian unit of the SS was separate from the rest of the Nazi Army.
The 15th and the 19thWaffen Grenadier Division of the SS began as a volunteer unit, but ended in conscription, those refusing were sent to concentration camps or killed. Only about 15-20 percent of those within the units were volunteers as a result.

Latvia suffered greatly under both Nazi and Soviet rule. The commemorations are not, as has been suggested, a sign of neo-Nazism, but to recognize the fight of those who worked to free the country from the Soviet occupation.
“We must keep explaining to the world the complicated history of Latvia, that the Latvian Legion was fighting in foreign uniforms, desperately hoping to regain Latvia’s freedom,” said Visvaldis Lacis, a Latvian Legion veteran.
It is clear that there is much miscommunication, a lack of understanding, and deep-seated opinions that are not likely to change in the near future, something that the European Movement is aiming to do with its support of the Day of Europe, an alternative, in essence, promoting unity.

This year May 9 also falls on Mother’s Day, or Family Day in Latvia. Perhaps all these problems could be avoided if the population instead celebrated the here and now of family, instead of digging up old wounds and sowing the seeds for new discontent in society.