A few days before and after January 19, Latvia remembers the Barricades Time.
In 1991, Latvia was on its way to independence from Russia, the then USSR. Russian troops were ready to oppress the freedom quest. The people of Latvia were afraid that the occupation power might restore its power by a cowardly attack under the cover of the night.
To exclude the possibility of secret restoration of the oppressive government, people from all over the country moved to Riga to protect it. Farmers went on their heavy agricultural machines which look impressive though are of little battle value against Russian tanks. But not an actual fighting was the main point.
It was important not to allow the occupants overthrow the government of Latvia whose aim was full independence of our country. Little we could do against Russian military power. We were there to let the world know the truth about whatever would happen.
Under the pressure of the international society, Russia withdrew its troops then, and the final result was independence of Latvia restored de facto and de jure in August 1991.
The barricades were build around the Parliament, the government house, TV studio and tower, radio house. Us, Stelpians, were appointed to guard the TV tower area. We were standing there not knowing what would happen next. But we were determined to stay there, come what may.
My generation will never forget the Barricades Time. But for today's schoolchildren, it's history.
But the young people need to understand fully that now live in a free country because their fathers were standing on the barricades, bare handed against Russian tanks.
They need to understand that all the more because Latvia still borders on one of the most aggressive, treacherous and unpredictable country of the world and cannot move away from there.
Picture: Stelpe schoolchildren helping their teacher by showing visual aids
Picture: The school hall was decorated for the Barricades day event with figures made by the schoolchildren
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