On 21 August, several events will be held to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the de facto restoration of the independence of our state.

Celebrations will begin with an ecumenical service in the Dome Church and the ceremonial laying of flowers at the Monument of Freedom.

Afterwards, local musicians will perform Latvian classical music at the ceremonial concert in the Latvian National Theatre. The concert will be broadcast by Latvian Television. Members of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia and members of the Congress of People's Deputies of the Soviet Union who supported restoration of Latvia’s independence in 1991 are invited to attend this concert.

During the day, the main building of the Saeima will be open to visitors. Residents and guests of Riga will have an opportunity to see the Plenary Chamber, representation rooms and the historically impressive interior.

In honour of the 20th anniversary of the de facto restoration of independence of our state, several thematic exhibitions will be opened at the main building of the Saeima. Visitors will have an opportunity to see the Constitutional Law of 21 August 1991. Photographs and newspapers of that time will help visitors to recall the events that took place 20 years ago.

Furthermore, official letters from other countries recognising Latvia’s independence – an indisputable testimony of regained sovereignty – will also be on display in the main building of the parliament on 21 August. It is also planned to put the awards of the Republic of Latvia on display for public viewing.

A special website www.21augusts.lv devoted to the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitutional Law on the Statehood of the Republic of Latvia has been launched. The website contains information on the role of 21 August 1991 in Latvia’s history, as well as topical information on various events to be held to honour this significant date. This website also features video interviews with witnesses of the de facto restoration of independence.

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