Hundreds of People with Torches Walked the Streets of Riga on Lāčplēsis Day

According to the LETA agency, the column was led by the male folklore group "Vilki." Following them were representatives and supporters of the National Alliance, schoolchildren, families with children, young militiamen, firefighters, and other participants. New people joined the procession along the way. At the Brothers' Cemetery, the graves of the fighters for Latvia's freedom were adorned with flowers and lit candles. At 6:00 PM, an evening military ceremony began here. Not only military personnel but also numerous citizens, many with children, came to honor the memory of the fallen. On Lāčplēsis Day, other commemorative events also take place in the capital. At 6:00 PM, a tribute to the freedom fighters is planned at the Freedom Monument, after which the torchlight procession will continue to the November 11th embankment. At the Stone Bridge, a fiery raft will be launched into the Daugava River, and near the wall of the Riga Castle, a joint performance of patriotic songs will take place under the direction of the "Vilki" group. At 7:00 PM, an event titled "Rīga, mūžības skartā" ("Riga, Touched by Eternity") will begin on Barinu Street, near Victory Park. The groups "Juuk" and "The Sound Poets" will perform for the audience. A musical and poetic production set to the music of Jānis Lūsens and the poetry of Aleksandrs Čaks will also be presented here. The program will feature Erika Eglija-Grāvele, Raimonds Celms, Atis Ieviņš, and Ingus Ulmanis. Lāčplēsis Day is annually celebrated in Latvia on November 11 in memory of the victory of the Latvian army over Bermont's troops in 1919. One of the main traditions of this day is lighting candles in memory of the country's defenders.