latviski
Welcome!! Join us in celebrating twenty-seven years of LATVIANS.COM on the web!
We want to give you a feel for Latvia and the Latvians by sharing our pictures, experiences, and personal perspectives. As children, we learned Latvia was a far off paradise held hostage by Soviet occupation. When Silvija finally visited during Soviet times, and Peters after independence, "reality" only amplified our appreciation and passion for all things Latvian.
We also want to be a resource to those seeking to learn more about Latvia by reproducing materials not widely available on the web, whether an album of pictures of Riga from a century ago, or the account of Soviet mass deportations in Latvia. The Baltic past is rich in ancient cultural treasures and in the geopolitical lessons it teaches, as relevant to today as when Count Shuvalov↗, Russian governor-general of the Baltic provinces↗, first stated:
“The historical mission of the Baltic provinces is to serve as a battlefield for the problems of the highest politics in Europe.”
That role continues even today as the Baltics find themselves between an autocratic Russia and a western Europe seeking to fashion them, yet again, into a geopolitical front-line cordon sanitaire↗ of democracies.
That the Estonians, Latvians, and Lithuanians have preserved their cultures over millennia in the face of inestimable odds pays tribute to both the people and the powerful calling and richness of their heritage. Our purpose here is to provide a window into Latvia — its people, its culture, its treasures, to shape an informed perception of Latvia and Latvians. Whether you are just curious or you are on a voyage of discovery of your own Latvian heritage, welcome, and please don't hesitate to reach out to us with comments, questions, and suggestions on improving our web site.
Write us at contact[at]latvians.com
Silvija (née Baikstis) and Peters Vecrumba
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