For Fatherland and For Freedom, Tēvzemei un Brīvībai
For Fatherland and For Freedom, Tēvzemei un Brīvībai, very likely patriot, poet, and author Kārlis Skalbe's most well known three words. You'll usually find this translated as For Fatherland and Freedom, but that doesn't communicate the same feeling as in the Latvian grammar. For us, our version preserves the nobility and solemnity of service to nation and people, and, quite frankly, sounds less like a political slogan—or name of a political party, which it was for a time following restoring independence from the USSR.
For Fatherland and For Freedom, Tēvzemei un Brīvībai
Strēlnieki, Latvian Riflemen
The Strēlnieki, Latvian Riflemen, embody the ideal of freedom, commemorating the sacrifices of Latvian warriors and leaders from ancient times to modern. Here, they return to their homesteads after years in battle to return to their work.
Strēlnieki, Latvian Riflemen
Latvju tauta — dziedātāji, The Latvian people — singers
Latvju tauta — dziedātāji, The Latvian people — singers, portray the spirit of Latvian life. Men, women, sons, daughters, parade in traditional costumes, united in song.
Latvju tauta — dziedātāji, The Latvian people — singers
Darbs, Work
Darbs, Work — features the figures of a farmer, fisherman and craftsman, expressing the virtue of work and tireless dedication. The farmer stands at center holding a scythe, its handle entwined with oak leaves with acorns—symbolizing masculinity and success. Kneeling are a craftsman with his tools, and a wizened fisherman with a net over his shoulder.
Darbs, Work
Tēvijas sargi, Guardians of the Fatherland
Tēvijas sargi, Guardians of the Fatherland, are at the ready to defend Latvian honor and rights. An ancient warrior grasping his sword stands at center, flanked by soldiers of an independent Latvia, rifle and grenade in hand.
Tēvijas sargi, Guardians of the Fatherland
Mother — guardian of the family, Māte — ģimenes sargātāja
Mother — guardian of the family, Māte — ģimenes sargātāja, is the source of the people's moral strength. She holds an oak leaf garland and drooping palm frond in her right hand, and stands between the next generation, kneeling beside her.
Mother — guardian of the family, Māte — ģimenes sargātāja
Spiritual guides, Gaŗa dzīves veidotāji
Spiritual guides, Gaŗa dzīves veidotāji, at center, walking-stick in hand, stands a seeker of knowledge, at his feet, a wizened soothsayer and a scholar seeking knowledge in writings.
Spiritual guides, Gaŗa dzīves veidotāji
1919 Battle on the Iron Bridge, Cīņas uz Dzelzs Tilta 1919. gadā
1919 Battle on the Iron Bridge, Cīņas uz Dzelzs Tilta 1919. gadā, Latvian heroes push forward across the bullet-ridden bridge, shrapnel and soldiers' caps flying.
1919 Battle on the Iron Bridge, Cīņas uz Dzelzs Tilta 1919. gadā
1905, 1905. gads
1905, 1905. gads — the first proletariat revolution, Latvian workers rise up against their enslavers and assault a Cossack with his whip astride his horse.
1905, 1905. gads
Chain-breakers, Važu rāvēji
The Chain-breakers, Važu rāvēji — in the middle the elder, the younger at both his sides, have grasped the the heavy chains binding them together and strive to break their bonds of subjugation.
Chain-breakers, Važu rāvēji
Heathen priest, Vaidelotis
The Heathen priest,
Vaidelotis, has sung his song of longings and deeds, one hand on his
kokle↗ (Latvia zither), another on the shoulder of a shepherd boy, kneeling at his feet. Before them lies a horse's skull, a witness to the past. The shepherd holds a weapon, readying for battle.
Heathen priest, Vaidelotis
Bear Slayer, Lāčplēsis
The Bear Slayer, Lāčplēsis, vanquishes the ruler of the forest—the bear—in battle. He channels the primordial power of Nature to protect his homeland against hostile powers.
Bear Slayer, Lāčplēsis
Latvia, Latvija
Latvia, Latvija, wearing a wreath, holding a sword over her shield, protects the fruits of her labor—spikes of wheat in her left hand. She is flanked from behind on either side by a young woman and man raising the flag of their homeland to the sky, swearing to protect it.
Latvia, Latvija
The statue of Freedom, Brīvības tēls, popularly named "Milda"
The statue of Freedom, Brīvības tēls, stands heroically atop the monument pillar, holding three stars of Freedom in her uplifted hands, revealing the people's deepest strivings: freedom and the right to build and fulfill their cultural mission. The statue's "Milda" appellation is not original to the monument, and appears to have come from a 1930's cigarette rolling papers brand "Milda," whose packets featured the image of a Latvian folk maiden.
The statue of Freedom, Brīvības tēls, popularly named "Milda"
latviski
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