Latvia’s parliament marked the 35th anniversary of the January 1991 barricades-a defining period in the nation’s struggle for independence from Soviet rule-with the unveiling of a new oral history project Tuesday. The commemorative event centered on the release of “Posteņos. Barikādes atceras žurnālisti” (“on Duty. Journalists remember the Barricades”), a book compiling firsthand accounts from the reporters who covered the peaceful resistance movement adn risked their safety to document the events [[1]]. The project underscores the vital role of a free press in safeguarding democratic ideals, a theme highlighted by Speaker of the Saeima Daiga Mieriņa as she honored the journalists’ contributions.
(20.01.2026.)
Latvia’s parliament commemorated the 35th anniversary of the January 1991 barricades – a pivotal moment in the country’s fight for independence from the Soviet Union – with the unveiling of a new book documenting the experiences of journalists who covered the events. The book, titled “Posteņos. Barikādes atceras žurnālisti” (“On Duty. Journalists Remember the Barricades”), was presented Tuesday, January 20, alongside a meeting with the reporters who risked their safety to report on the peaceful resistance.
“One of the fundamental elements of a democratic state is the public’s right to know and understand – what is happening, why it is happening, and what decisions are being made in its name,” said Speaker of the Saeima, Daiga Mieriņa, at the unveiling event. She emphasized the crucial role journalism plays in a democracy, describing it as “a bridge between power and society, ensuring openness, transparency, and the opportunity for citizens to participate in democracy.”
Mieriņa also warned of the dangers facing journalists, stating, “Journalism is a threat to those who promote destruction, lies, and hatred.” She noted that reporters continue to be killed each year while covering conflicts around the world.
Honoring the contributions of the journalists who reported during the barricades, Mieriņa added, “You, 35 years ago, risked your lives, without knowing the consequences, so the world could learn about the terrible events of January in the Baltic states.” She expressed gratitude for their professionalism and courage, saying, “You were at the watchposts of democracy throughout Latvia, ensuring that the truth would not be overlooked, that silence would not prevail.”
The book “Posteņos. Barikādes atceras žurnālisti” compiles the recollections of over 50 journalists and contemporaries who witnessed the barricades, along with photographs, television news scripts, letters, and other materials from that time. The publication was edited by Ēriks Hānbergs, Dainis Īvāns, and Aleksandrs Mirlins and published by the Academic Publishing House of the University of Latvia.
The book was commissioned by the Saeima and edited by Hānbergs, Īvāns, and Mirlins. The University of Latvia’s Academic Publishing House is distributing the volume, which will soon be available in bookstores across Latvia.
Foto: https://www.flickr.com/photos/saeima/albums/72177720331587709
Izmantošanas noteikumi: www.saeima.lv/lv/autortiesibas
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