On 21 August, when the 20th anniversary of the actual restoration of independence of our country will be celebrated, the main building of the Saeima will be open to the public from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. Residents and guests of Riga will have an opportunity to see several exhibitions and the historically impressive interior.
To honour those who, despite danger and fear, on 4 May 1990 and 21 August 1991 adopted decisions that were crucial for Latvia, the Yellow Room will contain photo portraits of the 138 members of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia. There visitors will also have a chance to view photos which show the events that took place in August 1991. In the Plenary Chamber, visitors will have an opportunity to see the Constitutional Law, which was adopted on 21 August 1991.
Official letters from other countries recognising Latvia’s independence – an indisputable testimony of regained sovereignty – will also be on display in the Voting Room.
The Red Room will contain a photo exhibition titled The Parliament of Latvia during the 20 Years of Independence; it will feature historical events which have been significant to our state and parliament. All logo designs that were drawn by children and young people and submitted for the contest of logos in honour of the 20th anniversary of the de facto restoration of independence will be on display in the Red Room. A total of 90 logo designs were submitted for the contest; a rooster proclaiming freedom drawn by nine-year old Luīze Anna Pētersone from Riga was chosen by public vote as the official logo for the festivities.
Furthermore, in the reading room of the Library, visitors will have a chance to see the awards conferred by public institutions, local governments, other institutions and public organisations; these awards include the medals of honour and merit of the Ministry of Defence and National Armed Forces of the Republic of Latvia. This exhibition arranged by the National Museum of History of Latvia contains medals that have been awarded since 1991.
On 21 August 1991 the Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia adopted the Constitutional Law on the Statehood of the Republic of Latvia, thus restoring the de facto independence of Latvia and marking the country’s return to the family of democratic countries of Western Europe.
This law reinstated the Constitution of Latvia (Satversme) of 1922 with its values of Western democracy and the rule of law. With the adoption of the Constitutional Law, the laws of the USSR became null and void in Latvia. On the basis of the law of 21 August, other countries recognised the restoration of Latvia’s independence.
Saeima Press Service