Uploaded November 2011 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
inyourpocket.com
Riga In Your Pocket visits Latvia's Independence Day. On November 18, 1918, a group of Latvian intelligentsia declared their nation's independence from the disintegrating Russian Empire. Dominated by foreign powers since the arrival of Teutonic knights at the end of the 12th century, Latvians finally had their own state. Unfortunately, rogue German military units and the new Bolshevik government in Russia didn't take the declaration seriously and fighting continued until, with the help of Polish and Estonian armies, all of Latvia's enemies were expelled from the country in 1920. Independence Day is celebrated with various events and concerts in Riga, a military parade on 11.novembra krastmala, events at the Freedom Monument and a speech by the Latvian president. This year Independence Day takes place on a Friday creating a three-day weekend so you can expect plenty of celebrating in the capital starting as early as Thursday evening.
For more information check out: inyourpocket.com/latvia/riga
Shot and edited by Nienke Bos - Riga In Your Pocket
inyourpocket.com
Riga In Your Pocket visits Latvia's Independence Day. On November 18, 1918, a group of Latvian intelligentsia declared their nation's independence from the disintegrating Russian Empire. Dominated by foreign powers since the arrival of Teutonic knights at the end of the 12th century, Latvians finally had their own state. Unfortunately, rogue German military units and the new Bolshevik government in Russia didn't take the declaration seriously and fighting continued until, with the help of Polish and Estonian armies, all of Latvia's enemies were expelled from the country in 1920. Independence Day is celebrated with various events and concerts in Riga, a military parade on 11.novembra krastmala, events at the Freedom Monument and a speech by the Latvian president. This year Independence Day takes place on a Friday creating a three-day weekend so you can expect plenty of celebrating in the capital starting as early as Thursday evening.
For more information check out: inyourpocket.com/latvia/riga
Shot and edited by Nienke Bos - Riga In Your Pocket
![Riga In Your Pocket - Pokrov Cemetery [Pokrova kapi]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/QUmyz8_8Drw/mqdefault.jpg "Riga In Your Pocket - Pokrov Cemetery [Pokrova kapi]
Although this old cemetery is seldom visited by anyone apart from the occasional animal enthusiast out to walk his dog, its a fascinating place to stroll about for an hour or so. Most of the headstones are from the 19th century and tell tales of tsarist bureaucrats who will be dearly missed, but a small section is also dedicated to fallen communist soldiers crowned by a large gold-coloured monument depicting a soldier carrying a Soviet flag. One bizarre stone also immortalises roughly a dozen orphans who were supposedly drained of their blood by the Nazis. The orthodox church and chapel are also worth a quick peek.
and edited by Nienke Bos - Riga In Your Pocket
For more information check out: http://www.inyourpocket.com/latvia/riga")
