Latvian Independence Day
Sunday, November 18, 2007
We had checked the billboard earlier in the week and knew about many of the events scheduled to celebrate Latvian Independence so we were not surprised to find all manner of audio-visual high tech equipment, risers and a widely-spaced police line at the site of the freedom monument on Sunday morning, all in preparation for the ceremonial laying of flowers at the base of the monument. We had good viewing spots on the curb about 100 yards from the monument as the dignitaries began to gather—Saeima (parliament) representatives, several rows of ambassadors (including, we believe, our own), military, business and cultural leaders and then a large group of common people—old, young, parents, children—all carrying flowers to lay at the base of the monument. Some were large wreaths of roses and greens with ribbons in the colors of that State’s colors. Others were a simple stem or three or five—many reds and whites, the Latvian national colors.
Just before the beginning of the ceremony, the (embattled) Cabinet President arrived, sirens and lights flashing, loud-speaker on the lead car blaring, private security front and back as he made his way to the front of the procession. The President was the last to arrive—a much less noisy entrance, but with the usual cadre of secret service types around. Once he took his place the military band played a reserved processional as the procession moved forward with wave after wave of people stepping up to the monument, pausing, then laying their wreaths and sprays before moving aside to let others come. The ceremony concluded with the playing and singing of the Latvian National Anthem--although without any of the loud, wild cheering that usually accompanies ours. No speeches in the morning; they were to come later in the day.
As the dignitaries dispersed, the President began to make his way toward his waiting car stopping along the way to shake hands with people in the crowd. Just before he got to our position, he turned as if to cross the road to the other side, then turned back. Cheryl first, then I shook hands with him and in English exchanged brief greetings and good wishes before he moved on. It was a privilege; a symbol of a shared value of independence we feel celebrating the 4th of July at home and November 18th here in Latvia. What kept running through my mind all day long were the words to the hymn, This is My Song, printed below and sung to the tune Finlandia.
Lloyd Stone, 1934
This is my song, Oh God of all the nations,A song of peace for lands afar and mine.This is my home, the country where my heart is;Here are my hopes, my dreams, my sacred shrine.But other hearts in other lands are beating,With hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.
My country's skies are bluer than the ocean,And sunlight beams on cloverleaf and pine.But other lands have sunlight too and clover,And skies are everywhere as blue as mine.Oh hear my song, oh God of all the nations,A song of peace for their land and for mine.
May truth and freedom come to every nationMay peace abound where strife has raged so long;That each may seek to love and build together,A world united, righting every wrong.A world united in its love for freedom,Proclaiming peace together in one song.
In the afternoon we join thousands along the river road named, “11 November Boulevard” to see a parade comprised of military units. We went back to the closed river road in the evening for the fireworks display that brought to a close the outdoor festivities. It was an independence day celebration to be remembered! rej
Sunday, November 18, 2007
We had checked the billboard earlier in the week and knew about many of the events scheduled to celebrate Latvian Independence so we were not surprised to find all manner of audio-visual high tech equipment, risers and a widely-spaced police line at the site of the freedom monument on Sunday morning, all in preparation for the ceremonial laying of flowers at the base of the monument. We had good viewing spots on the curb about 100 yards from the monument as the dignitaries began to gather—Saeima (parliament) representatives, several rows of ambassadors (including, we believe, our own), military, business and cultural leaders and then a large group of common people—old, young, parents, children—all carrying flowers to lay at the base of the monument. Some were large wreaths of roses and greens with ribbons in the colors of that State’s colors. Others were a simple stem or three or five—many reds and whites, the Latvian national colors.
Just before the beginning of the ceremony, the (embattled) Cabinet President arrived, sirens and lights flashing, loud-speaker on the lead car blaring, private security front and back as he made his way to the front of the procession. The President was the last to arrive—a much less noisy entrance, but with the usual cadre of secret service types around. Once he took his place the military band played a reserved processional as the procession moved forward with wave after wave of people stepping up to the monument, pausing, then laying their wreaths and sprays before moving aside to let others come. The ceremony concluded with the playing and singing of the Latvian National Anthem--although without any of the loud, wild cheering that usually accompanies ours. No speeches in the morning; they were to come later in the day.
As the dignitaries dispersed, the President began to make his way toward his waiting car stopping along the way to shake hands with people in the crowd. Just before he got to our position, he turned as if to cross the road to the other side, then turned back. Cheryl first, then I shook hands with him and in English exchanged brief greetings and good wishes before he moved on. It was a privilege; a symbol of a shared value of independence we feel celebrating the 4th of July at home and November 18th here in Latvia. What kept running through my mind all day long were the words to the hymn, This is My Song, printed below and sung to the tune Finlandia.
Lloyd Stone, 1934
This is my song, Oh God of all the nations,A song of peace for lands afar and mine.This is my home, the country where my heart is;Here are my hopes, my dreams, my sacred shrine.But other hearts in other lands are beating,With hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.
My country's skies are bluer than the ocean,And sunlight beams on cloverleaf and pine.But other lands have sunlight too and clover,And skies are everywhere as blue as mine.Oh hear my song, oh God of all the nations,A song of peace for their land and for mine.
May truth and freedom come to every nationMay peace abound where strife has raged so long;That each may seek to love and build together,A world united, righting every wrong.A world united in its love for freedom,Proclaiming peace together in one song.
In the afternoon we join thousands along the river road named, “11 November Boulevard” to see a parade comprised of military units. We went back to the closed river road in the evening for the fireworks display that brought to a close the outdoor festivities. It was an independence day celebration to be remembered! rej
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