National Culture

In connection with the question of national culture, the Germans love to contrast themselves to the Bolsheviks. It is true that if certain individual aspects of cultural life in the Baltic are taken out of the general sphere, it might appear that to a certain extent the Germans are right. Undoubtedly the National Opera is now again functioning regularly and properly, and all grand opera is presented in the Latvian language, with the exception of a few operas of Wagner, and even those are presented and sung by Latvian opera singers. Once again the National Theater, the Theater of Art (Dailes Teatris), the Liepaja Opera (in Libau), and most of the former Latvian provincial theaters have renewed their activities. Many of the glee clubs which had been closed by the Bolsheviks have been reopened. All schools have been reopened, a normal course of studies has been established, lessons take place in the Latvian language, and also religion is. again being taught. The same must be admitted in regard to the churches: they are no longer subject to chicanery, and the priests and ministers no longer need fear persecution as long as they do not speak against the “Weltanschauung” of the Germans. Even more, the Germans are now trying to restore certain such cultural aspects which have been highly esteemed by the Latvians for a long time. To such aspects belong the Singing Festivals, which have always been very popular among the Latvians and which were, enthusiastically held even under the Czar. During the period of the free republic, however, they developed into splendid demonstrations of a free national spirit, into incomparable national festivals. The national spirit of these festivals did not appeal to the taste of the bearers of Soviet imperialism. Fearing that these glee clubs and singing festivals might draw together the national forces of the country, the Bolsheviks not only prohibited but also ridiculed them. The Germans have not only permitted the revival of these singing festivals, but have even supported and promoted them, particularly last summer.

However, this is only one side of the coin. The other side presents quite another picture of the attitude of the Germans toward the cultural life of the Baltic peoples in general, and toward that of the Latvians in particular.

In brief this picture can be characterized as follows: it is a picture of the previously planned and systematically conducted policy, whose goal is to root out everything nationally Latvian and to see to it that the Latvian people look upon matters and events as they are looked upon at present in Nazi. Germany.

This policy was introduced in July 1941, i.e., on the very first day when the Germans marched into the Baltic, and has been systematically and energetically pursued to this very day.

In practice this policy expresses itself in the following manner:

(a) Determination of the trend and spirit of the program of studies in all educational institutions, beginning with public schools and up to the university, lies in the hands of the Reich Commissar and of his subordinates.

(b) By means of general regulations and practical methods of execution, studies in public and high schools have been drawn up in such a way that comparatively few Latvians are able to obtain a higher humanitarian education. Most of them must be content with the study of agriculture and forestry, veterinary medicine, and other such practical professions.

(c) The University has been reopened, but a whole row of Latvian professors have been eliminated.  Internationally known and esteemed Latvian professors, particularly of the philological, historical and law departments, who in some manner have shown themselves to be supporters of the anti-Nazi “Weltanschauung” have not only fallen into disfavor but are even persecuted. They are refused a chair in the university, and their works are entered in the list of prohibited books.

(d) In connection with the mass mobilization for the front and for the labor service, there are actually hardly enough students to make it worthwhile commencing studies, not only in the university, but even in the last classes of high school. In May 1943 the Rector of the University in Riga Primanis announced that of approximately 5,000 students during the time of the independent Republic the number had fallen to barely 1,300.

(e) Scientific research may be undertaken only with the assent of the “Council of Science.” This “Council” was established by the occupation authorities, and it gives instructions regarding the conduct of research work and supervises how it is done. Scientific books are permitted to be published only in the German language.

(f) All newspapers and books can be published only with the previous permission of the occupation authorities, and all printed matter is subject to previous German censorship.

(g) The candidates for the higher official ecclesiastical posts must be approved by the Commissar General.

(h) The entire movie industry and radio broadcasting administration are in the hands of either the Reich Commissar and Commissar General, or under the control of their subordinates and officials, both legally and practically, not to mention from a financial standpoint.

Actually no cultural autonomy exists in Latvia under the German occupation. Just as the Bolsheviks persecuted and destroyed everything that did not conform with dialectic materialism, now in a similar manner everything is being destroyed by fire and sword if it does not correspond, even in the slightest degree, with national socialistic concepts and with the totalitarian aspects of life.

Latvia Under German Occupation in 1943, an informational publication by the sovereign authority of the Republic of Latvia, is in the public domain according to the Copyright Law of the Republic of Latvia, §6¶1 and §6¶4. We have contacted the Latvian Foreign Ministry regarding its republication. Please attribute appropriately.
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