20/05/2022
Do you have a monument in your city that represents conflicting views? 🏙
The Soviet Union monument in Riga, Latvia has a deep-rooted conflicting meaning. ☁️ Now, clouded by the war in Ukraine, the monument has become part of the heated conversation about nationalism and Russian imperialism.
The war has certainly enlarged pending societal issues. Now, urban spaces and monuments are becoming the hot points where political views clash. ⚡️ And there are many consequences to this.
💡 In 1985, when the monument was build, it was represented as a tribute to the liberators from the German invaders. However, what this meant for Latvians was another political regime change and life under another occupation.
💡 Since Latvia restored its independence in 1990, the monument stayed. It was still celebrated by the Latvian Russians who stayed in Latvia after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
💡 What’s happening in Ukraine has increased fear and distress in Latvians. At the same time, other groups of people who are still consuming Russian propaganda have opposing views.
💡 Now, the monument has restricted access as the government wants to avoid any conflicts that would take place near the monument. Furthermore, the government and many Latvians have voted to take down the monument which has caused protests from Latvian Russians.
What is going to happen to this politically-charger urban space after the destruction of the monument? Is this going to polarise our society even more?
These are the questions waiting to be answered.
Do you have a monument in your city that holds a significant meaning? Comment below!
