Iecava's Freedom Monument turns 90
On August 23, Iecava's Freedom Monument will mark its 90th anniversary, with residents invited to a festive church service and a historical talk at the monument.
This Sunday, August 23, marks 90 years since the unveiling of the Freedom Monument in Iecava, a memorial to those who fell in Latvia's fight for independence. The Iecava municipal administration is inviting residents to gather for a festive service at the Iecava Lutheran church, which will simultaneously celebrate the congregation's 450th anniversary. Afterward, participants will walk together to the park, where historian Raitis Ābelnieks will give a historical talk at the monument.
The Bauska Museum notes that for Iecava residents, August 23 carries more significance than just the anniversaries of the 1939 Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and the 1989 Baltic Way. It was on this date in 1936 that the Freedom Monument was formally unveiled. That original ceremony began with a church service, followed by a procession with flags and a military band to Freedom Park, where the monument was unveiled at 1 p.m.
History of the monument
The idea of building the memorial dates back to 1928, when pastor Jānis Lūsis called on Iecava residents to unite in honoring those who sacrificed themselves for the nation's freedom and independence. The historical talk will cover the monument's creation, its initiator Jānis Lūsis, sculptor Pēteris Ādolfs Bandars, and the founding of a memorial society, as well as the laying of the foundation stone and the 1934 opening of the Freedom Bridge. Special attention will be given to the liberation of Iecava from Bermontian forces on November 14, 1919.
The monument holds a special place for local residents: every year on the eve of Lāčplēsis Day, hundreds of candles are lit there, soldiers' songs are sung, and members of the National Guard stand honor watch. Youth guards take their oath there, and on June 14 a path of flowers is laid to commemorate the victims of communist genocide.
From August 23 to October 25, the Iecava Culture House will host a traveling exhibition dedicated to the monument's 90th anniversary and its history.
