Latvia's Russian minority | DW Documentary

Around a quarter of Latvia's population have Russian roots - a community struggle to reconcile their own distinct identity with loyalty to their country of birth. What impact is Russia's invasion of Ukraine having on Latvia?

Latvia regained independence over 30 years ago, but the EU and NATO member remains conflicted over the legacy of its Soviet past and the challenges of contemporary geopolitical tensions. The country’s Russian-speaking minority in particular is marked by history and the influence of Moscow. Do they identify more as Latvians or Russians today? How strong is their loyalty to Latvia?

Analyzing the historical roots of those tensions - from Soviet-era annexation to the repercussions of the war in Ukraine - this documentary paints a multi-layered portrait of an evolving society. Personal accounts and interviews shed light on the challenges stemming from cultural identity, loyalty and historical trauma, and show how people are seeking a shared way forward to the future.

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[free_shortvideo]

Russians were not sent to Latvia for the purpose of industrialization, it was deliberate Russification. ....

[theboldandbeautiful]

You should have asked why many in the film cannot speak latvian at all.

[mignas]

Long live Latvia, Long live Baltija, Long live freedom. 🇱🇹❤️🇱🇻🇪🇪

[anzelmasmatutis]

Russians moved to Latvia to Russify Latvia and now wonder "WHY Latvia is not Russia?"

[CHIKYBASTARD]

No one is asking for Russians to forget their roots, by all means speak Russian with fellow Russians. Just respect the country and its native people, you wouldn’t move to another country in the world, be a minority and expect all government institutes/ schools/ shops to learn your language, which is what Latvia has allowed for past 30 years. What about all the Latvian children being thought Russian in 90s/00s as a mandatory subject just to adapt to Russians in their own country who didn’t put any effort to learn language of country they live in, doesn’t seem too fair either.

[JinX-soyv]

Note how all these russians speak only russian and havent even considered learning Latvian

[teddyd]

If you want to have schools in Russian, Russian culture, Russian thinking, there's a huge country called Russia where they speak Russian, think Russian, behave Russian. Just go to Russia. The rest of the country doesn't need to change for minorities to feel comfortable. If you don't feel at home. Then go home. Leave.

[polishhussarmapping]

Poland will always stand with Latvia, just like at the gates of Daugavpils in 1920 🇵🇱❤️🇱🇻

[shushanikk]

Russians living in Latvia who enroll their children in Russian-language schools are limiting their childrens’ future opportunities. Without fluency in Latvian—or any knowledge of the language—these children will struggle to achieve success in politics, business, law and other high-level careers in the country they call home. Or do their parents intend for them to move to Russia and build a career there instead? It’s a puzzling and shortsighted decision.

[jacintas]

Stop talking about Latvia in the context of it's russian speaking minority - who are essentially settlers. There is SO much more to Latvia. One of the oldest languages/cultures in the world. The suffering the Latvian people endured at the hands of russians and how Latvians fought occupation is infinitely more interesting. Please share Latvian voices!

[henrikmanitski]

In Estonia, Russians can study Russian language as an elective subject at school (like other foreign languages), but it is no longer a language of tuition in public schools. They are now Estonian language schools, although there are certain gradual transition phases in place. Having two parallel school systems was a source of division in the country.

[traumvonhaiti]

Good that some people start to realize that ethnic identity is not the same as the national identity - the lies that the soviet propaganda promoted.
In Kazakhstan only some ethnic Russians come to a conclusion that they are a part of the Kazakh political nation. The majority still remain the russian fifth column.

[Ukie]

If you live in Latvia and enjoy the benefits you become Latvian in language and culture. Simple as that. Same goes for Ukraine, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, etc. That’s how we do it in Canada. There is no privilege for former aggressors. Stop complaining. If you can’t accept that, just LEAVE.

[opz]

Why that obelisk was big provocation, because before russias occupation in the place where they built that monument supposed to be stadium to celebrate Latvian national singing festivals and USSR governors chose that place for a reason, that also added huge negativity, majority of Latvians saw that as pure provocation and nothing more ! For me, i felt disgusted when i saw people gathering there...

[jussil]

We have many Russians living in Finland and we have the same problems. But if Russian person says that he hates Putin’s regime and supports Ukraine, there will not be a single Finn who says bad things about this person. But if that Russian supports Putin and his corrupt dictatorship then I want him to move out of Finland. It is very easy for Russians to gain respect in Finland…just open your mouth and say what you think.

[rolandmarczi]

So funny to see proud Russians who want to keep there heritage but don't want to go back to there homeland...I think they pay the price for this contradiction every single day.

[esesininkas]

The issue here is that Latvia has only 2 mil population so the language and culture is literally fighting for it's life. It would be very easy for 140 mil russia to overrun Latvia if left unchecked. And actually that's what they tried to do, during soviet times! And that's how today the population is 30-40% russian, insane!

[ellebelle]

16:00 This woman says it very sensibly, If some parents feel so strongly about wanting their children to learn the Russian language, they will find options to do it on their own and not in the school system. Today with the internet, every child has every opportunity to learn any language at no cost.

[mezhazvers]

I am from Latvia and i have friends with russian roots but all of them speak Latvian. I consider them truly Latvians because language determinates mostly your nationality and your information bubble.

[cezarscaune]

Life in soviet period was good for occupants!