Photo: Kastytis Mačiūnas
The exhibition consists of 100 photographs immortalising events important to the society and history that have taken place at the foot of the Freedom Monument. Photography exhibition “The Freedom Monument – a Tribute to Latvia” is dedicated to the centenary of our state. In 2020, the Freedom Monument, symbol of the unity of the Latvian people, independence and freedom, celebrates its 85th anniversary. The monument, built for the money donated by the Latvian citizens, has experienced change of several political rules, and in Soviet times it was even considered for demolition. The artwork by Kārlis Zāle, vested in granite and copper, with the words “For Fatherland and Freedom” inscribed at its lower part, expresses the idea of freedom in the language of architecture – the impressive sculptures are arranged in several levels to remind about historical characters and events important to Latvia. Fifty-six sculptures are divided into thirteen sculptural groups that are placed in four levels. But, above all, in the hands of the Statue of Freedom three stars are shining, dedicated to Latvia’s cultural and historical regions – Kurzeme, Vidzeme, Latgale. The photography exhibition presents unique photographs from the unveiling ceremony of the monument, celebration of national festivities, social activities and different ceremonies taking place at the
foot of the monument. The photographs have been selected in collaboration with the Latvian National Library, the Latvian State Archive of Audiovisual Documents, the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia, the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Latvia, the State Chancellery of Latvia, the Museum of Barricades of 1991, the Latvian State Police, the Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation, historians and professional photographers. The exhibition was organized by Riga Municipal Monument Agency with the support of the State Culture Capital Foundation within the framework of events dedicated to the centenary of Latvia.