Saeima hosts conference marking 35th anniversary of Latvia's restored independence

On Friday, September 4, a conference titled "Voices and Echoes of Independence" is taking place in the Saeima's Baltic Hall, commemorating the 35th anniversary of the constitutional law adopted by the Supreme Council on August 21, 1991, which fully restored Latvia's independence.

The conference is opened by Saeima Speaker Daiga Mieriņa and Velta Čebotarenoka, president of the May 4th Declaration Club. The event is moderated by Dainis Īvāns, a leader of the Awakening movement who chaired the Latvian Popular Front from 1988 to 1990 and later served as first deputy chairman of the Supreme Council.

Two panel discussions

The first panel, "A View from Outside," features foreign policy experts Daniel Fried and Edward Lucas, who discuss international perspectives on Latvia's path to independence and its stance toward the Kremlin. European Parliament member Sandra Kalniete, who served as deputy foreign minister from 1990 to 1992, also speaks, analyzing Latvia's road to international recognition. This session is led by researcher Una Bergmane of the University of Helsinki.

The second panel focuses on the doctrine of state continuity as the legal foundation for restoring Latvia's independence. Former President Egils Levits and Court of Justice of the European Union judge Ineta Ziemele deliver presentations, while former Supreme Council deputy Andris Teikmanis and legal scholar Gunārs Kusiņš offer commentary. The discussion is moderated by researcher Gatis Krūmiņš of Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences.

Honoring award recipients

Before the conference, a plaque bearing the names of all recipients of the State Award, given annually on August 21 for contributions to strengthening Latvian statehood, was unveiled near the Baltic Hall. This year marked the sixth time the award was presented. The plaque was created by artist Roberts Koļcovs.

The conference is organized by the Saeima together with the May 4th Declaration Club and the Museum of the Popular Front, with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences. Following the conference, the Saeima building will host the launch of a book titled "Posteņos augustā. Atceras žurnālisti," dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the de facto restoration of independence.