Ukrainians thank Latvia at Riga Freedom Monument

Ukrainians living in Latvia gathered at Riga’s Freedom Monument on Saturday for a Day of Gratitude to thank the Latvian people for providing shelter and support, LSM reported.

The public initiative was organised by Ukrainians living in Latvia. Its aim is for those who have received help to personally thank people who have supported Ukrainians and Ukraine and continue to stand by them.

About 150 people attended last year’s event, according to the organisers, who hope to double that number this year. Participants brought flowers and Ukrainian flags. Organisers said the atmosphere was friendly and warm, but also somewhat sad because the event commemorates Ukrainian defenders who have been killed in the war against the invaders.

The programme began with a minute of silence, followed by a joint prayer for Ukraine. The event also included a prayer for Latvia, with participants asking that the war never reach the country, and a performance of the Latvian national anthem under the direction of Ints Teterovskis.

As part of the No Heart Without Heart initiative, the first gratitude certificates were presented to Latvian supporters of Ukraine. Ukrainians are filling out the certificates in Latvian, naming a specific person or organisation and adding personal words of thanks.

Organisers also opened a 22-metre banner carrying a message to the Latvian people. They said Ukrainians had come not to ask for help, but to say that they remembered Latvia’s support and would tell future generations that Latvia was among the first countries to offer assistance during the darkest days of the war in Ukraine.