Preiļi's Gžibovski family: all five members set to become Home Guard volunteers

The Gžibovski family from Preiļi, in Latvia's eastern region of Latgale, will soon be fully tied to the Zemessardze, the volunteer National Guard of the Latvian armed forces. When the youngest child, Andrejs, comes of age in two years and also joins, all five family members will be guardsmen. The news portal TVNET republished the story from its archive to mark Patriots' Month, as part of its "Latgale Stories of Strength" project.

How the family joined

Līga Gžibovska is a mother of three, a music teacher, and the head of three vocal ensembles and a family farm. Her husband Aleksandrs is a farmer. Daughter Sofija studies veterinary medicine at the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, and daughter Viktorija plays in the National Guard orchestra in Riga.

Līga and the younger daughter Sofija were the first to enlist. Aleksandrs followed after a year and a half, and Viktorija later joined as well. Līga says she would not have dared to join alone, but her daughter's support encouraged her. She says she can keep up with younger recruits, and that her mental, physical and moral condition has improved.

Motivation

Līga says that basic military training and marches along the border changed how she understands what earlier generations felt when they defended the country in war. As a guardswoman, she now speaks confidently in classrooms about patriotism and love of country.

Asked why the children were involved, she replies that they are no longer children but mature young people. In her words, the family would want to face an enemy with heads held high and, if necessary, fall with honour without leaving their farmstead.

About the project

With the support of the Ministry of Defence, TVNET GRUPA continues the "Latgale Stories of Strength" project. Its aim is to challenge stereotypes that Latgale is an "abandoned land" and that its residents are not loyal to the state, by showing locals who are ready to defend the country in the event of an invasion.