Proclamation Day of the Republic of Latvia

Torchlight procession in Riga, Latvia

Proclamation Day of the Republic of Latvia is celebrated annually on 18 November. It marks the anniversary of the Proclamation of Independence of Latvia by the People's Council of Latvia in 1918.

Observances

Various public events take place all over the country, including concerts and fireworks. Torchlight processions held by various organizations have been part of Proclamation Day celebrations and Lāčplēsis Day celebrations since the 1920s.[1] The largest torchlight procession takes place in the capital city Riga and attracts several thousand participants every year.[2] Its route through the streets of the city centre traditionally starts at the monument of Kārlis Ulmanis, the first prime minister of Latvia, and ends at the Freedom Monument.[3] Another tradition with a long history is the Latvian National Armed Forces military parade, which nowadays is held at 11th November Quay in Riga.[4] The 2014 and 2015 parades were the first to feature military units from the armed forces of the United States and the UK.

A popular modern tradition established in 2009, is for people all over the world, espcially Latvians, to sing the Latvian national anthem Dievs, svētī Latviju! at the same time (21:00 EET).[5] This is followed by the annual fireworks display, and both events have their national venue at the 11th November Quay, Riga (the mass singing is led by the President of Latvia).

References

  1. ↑ "Kronika" (in Latvian). Jaunības Tekas. 1 December 1923. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  2. ↑ The greatest torchlight procession in Eastern and Central Europe, NacionalaApvieniba.lv
  3. ↑ NA 18. novembrī rīkos vērienīgu Lāpu gājienu - maršruts, NacionalaApvieniba.lv (Latvian)
  4. ↑ "Militārā parāde" (in Latvian). Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  5. ↑ "Zatlers aicina 18. novembrī visā pasaulē kopīgi dziedāt Latvijas himnu" (in Latvian). nra.lv. 29 October 2010. Retrieved 1 April 2016.

External pages

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