Neither does US, who are falling apart & shooting each other!! And US continues to work in the back rooms conspiring to overthrow Russian govt. that’s really what the Ukr war is all about! Russia refuses to relinquish it’s territory, but US business is still persevering, prob not for long. Their economy is dying because their moral compass is fractured & laying in pieces…😱
It was a very good idea for Latvians to switch to Latvian. I switched from Russian to Ukrainian after the Russian invasion of my motherland, Ukraine, and so did my friends and relatives who had previously used Russian. Putin said that Russia ends where the Russian language is not heard. So, dear Latvian brothers, let us deprive him of this opportunity.
Putin doesn't get to tell us where Russia ends, that goes with international treaties. And your compatriots are right now teaching him that lesson. But good for you about learning Ukrainian! I know that in my country, Poland, schools emerge for Ukrainians to teach them... Ukranian. And I think this is the most beautiful initiative
@@Ъъъъ-ч1к Indeed. Thanks to Putin, Ukrainians clearly understood who their enemies are. He consolidated the Ukrainian nation and stimulated the growth of national consciousness.
@@Ъъъъ-ч1к Change the language? šīs tautas oriģinālvaloda ir latviešu, un to nevajadzētu mainīt uz kādu citu, krievu valoda vienmēr paliks mazākumā, pat ja viņi to noliegs.
If the US was able to repair it's relationship with Vietnam, then Russia should have been able to do the same with the former Soviet states. It just chose not to do so.
Russia didn't chose not to do so. They chose to behave like nothing changed. Like the Baltics, and other former Soviet and Warsaw Pact states, are still their provinces or vassals. This backfired as well as you might expect. The US and Vietnam's relationship is complicated(I'm pretty sure the US supported Ho Chi Minh's resistance against Japan by arming and supplying them). Which definitely helped in rekindling relations between the two countries.
Vietnam War was about power and ideological diferences and both part knew it, this war just like WW2 and Yugolasvia's falling apart has a lot of ethnic and linguistic components and that scars are more difficult to heal.
@@danieloehler2494 You are native? What nonsense you are talking! For so many years its the opposite. Russians took many important positions and didnt take Latvians in lead roles many times. Its the Russians who think they are 1st class citizens. My mother have spoken about it a lot during Soviet times. You are probably that Russian elderly who refuses to learn official language which is Latvian. Many Russians feel entitled to be superior and arrogant that everyone should speak Russian. Biggest crime are among Russians too.
@@danieloehler2494 never been to Baltic states I guess. And in Lithuania we treat people not by ethnicity, but how they are behaving. If you behave as imperilistic a-hole, you gonna be treated like that. If you are respectful person, you will be treated with respect.
We love you guys, Brave and will stop Russian aggression, My step-dad is part Ukrainian himself, Bless both sides however, the politicians force wars and brainwash the people.
I am half Polish and half Dutch and greet you from The Netherlands, i have shed tears for the losses of Ukraine. My Polish great grandfather told me stories about the Russians when i was young... i can not express the hatred he had towards the Russians, but i can feel that hatred now running trough myself.. we stand by Ukraine !
So I have to wonder if you feel regret for what Ukraines did to the POLISH and others during WW2, and why was the hate so strong then? Hacking kids and women to death suggests a lot was going on there.
I think it's incomprehensible that the Russian minority of Latvia doesn't speak Latvian. Apart from the rudeness, how do they live day to day? I am Macedonian and we too have a 25% minority Albanians. No one denies them their language but they all also speak Macedonian, the language of the majority.
Well, how to say it. It's fairy tail for "Latvians" to have more push about it and it's same from independence moment (30+ years), it's just ongoing holy war about nothing. This video has a lot of "certain perspective" and other is hidden for international eyes.
@@georgyekimov4577 yes exactly, also imo this god complex, that is taught by the soviet minded people that pass to the next generations making them think that they are a part of ”great russia”. Hope it made sense, it’s late.
Ethnic Russians living in the Baltics as local citizens get: 1. the rule of law 2. Chances for prosperity 3. an EU passport and free movement. What's that compared to what Russia offers?
@Boon2000 That feel will fade a lot in one generation, when the new ones come and have no ties to that part of the history. Something similar happens with young South Koreans, who don't feel like unifying with North Korea, and young Taiwanese, who feel that their entire country is just the insular one.
I'm Lithuanian and I'm so proud of Latvia for moving forward with this new policy. It's long overdue. Russian culture and language is used as a weapon and keeping the Latvian language at the forefront it's not only a matter of national security, but a matter of survival for the Latvian nation.
as an huge culture and language diversity geek, I'm so happy for you really. it felt so sad hearing that last Livonian language speaker passed away recently, so keep your language safe guys. much love from Ukraine
A matter of the survival of the nation is the need to deport the 300 000 russijans (and their desendants) that Hruščov sent here to genocide us. With 30% of the marriges in the country being mixed its now or never, and never means our exctinction.
@@Niclaas1999 Trying to not starve as the red army tried to force conscript him and our house got 1/4 of it blown up by red army artilery missing the intended target 50 ish meters away and also having his sister shot at a german checkpoint when she was on hear ways to take care of the bees and being deaf didnt hear them yell - Halt! He had no jewish neibors as jews dont live in rural homesteads and never have.
A matter of survival for Latvian nation is to be more accepting and inclusive of other ethnicities regardless of the level of their Latvian. More immigrants, less nationalist sensation. Latvia has fewer than 2 million people, not more than 1.3 million speak Latvian as the first language. The birth rate is negative. How does a nation see itself in a few decades?
The words from the Latvian prime minister still sticks with me as profound. "He(Putin) viewed our arguments and our differences of opinion as a weakness." The strength of democracy comes from letting dissenting opinions be heard out in the open.
Only smart thing Ive ever heard him say. And make no mistake Kariņš does not tolerate dissenting opinions, in secret the former minister of health is still being triled for defying him. Very undemocractic.
No . Democracy survives as long as the rights and opinions of all those who RESPECT its principles are heard . When you allow fascists the same freedoms and platforms as everyone else you get the paradox of tolerance and the erosion of democracy
This is the same democracy that voted for a government with a far-right party that is also neo-Nazi National Party (Latvia) supports the establishment of a national day of remembrance for the Latvian Legion, a military formation within Nazi Germany's Waffen-SS.
Im Dutch but my wife is from Latvia and we are planning to move from The Netherlands to Latvia I wish other European countries did as much for Ukraine as Latvia did you really have a beautiful country ❤️
May you guys be safe! ✝🙏🏻 And hope russia don't do with the rest of Eastern European countries what he´s doing in Ukraine. I was in The Netherlands once, SUCH a beautiful countrie, I want to see more of Rotterdam
As a "flemish", so "dutch speaking Belgian, I'm sure that once you will live in Latvia, you will use Latvian for communication in your family as well as for social life !
Holy shit man, you are going the wrong direction. We, over 20% of Latvians, emigrated because it is a poor little country with bad health care, education and police... RUN Of course if you have a lot of money you can do whatever you want)
My Great Grandfather was actually a German-Latvian, he fled to germany at the end of WWII because he collaborated with the Germans as a translator to ensure the survival of his family (despite beeing Jewish), and then had to leave when the Soviets came back, they would have killed him because he was a collaborator. I visited Riga in 2019 and really loved the country, great to see the Latvians fully reclaim it. I cant wait to visit again some time soon!
@@VilkatisJanis while that is absolutely true, what OP is referring to is that his great grandfather would have had a particular target painted on his back; both for collaboration, and, I suspect, being Jewish.
@@mnxs best to my knowledge soviet regime did not kill jewish people, or at least it did not kill people for being jewish. But yeah if they found out he has worked for or with germans he would be killed. Probably. All i tried to do is underline that his/her drandfather made the correct choice, cause life was not very precious to soviet regime, so there is little chance her grandfather would have received any mercy
In my uncle's 1953 high school year book (for a Toronto school) there is a story by a student in the achool about how 9 years before her family (including her) had fled Riga ahead of advancing Russian troops. According to her: her father had been an officer in the Latvian army and previously some of his father's colleagues had been shot by Russian troops (she says Russian and not Soviet). So her family decided flee to Germany even if that might mean ending up doing forced labour. Their first near call was when another ship in their convey was hit by a torpedo. And then they arrived in Dresden apparently just hours before the fire bombing of the city which I believe was packed with refugees at the time. It seems that her whole family survived though they did end up stuck in a camp for displaced persons at the end of the war - a camp they were stuck in until in 1949 they were given approval by Canadian authorities to move to Canada just a few years before she wrote the piece for the high school year book.
As a Latvian I can tell that our language is unique. Always when I am abroad somebody is asking me - "Where are you coming from? You have very interesting language and we can't decide where do you come from." So believe me when I say, we are so different from Slavic, Scandinavian or Germanic languages.
I always play this guessing game in my mind when i overhear a foreign language. Most of the time i am wrong, so there is a good chance that i once heard latvian and mistook it for a slavic language. Oddly enough, our countries (latvia and austria) have very similar flags and also similar origin stories of said flags. (A warrior dressed in white linnen, the unprotected part of his dress covered in blood). Only that the "blood" on your flag was (probably) latgalian, the one on ours was saracen.
Yes, you're right. Lettish, Lithuanian, and Old Prussian (now extinct) are members of the Baltic family of languages. It is an Indo European language and so is related to Spanish, Gaelic, Greek, Polish, Swedish, and Armenian languages. Of course, none of these languages are mutually intelligible.
Also, the Teutonic Order had relatively little influence over Estonia and Latvia - it was its autonomous suborder called Livonian Order that influenced this.
But, but… wasn't the Livonian Order a sister state of the Teutons? Like they created coalition against pagan Balts? Why is the old Riga so much in German architecture?
@@MrAceCraft It's a little messy situation with the Livonian Order starting out as an independent entity then getting stomped into jelly by the native Balts and incorporated into the Teutonic Order as a semi-independent organization. All rather complicated medieval monastic order politics. But as both Orders were culturally rooted in northern Germany all of this is not really important. The main takeaway is that the German influence in Latvia and Estonia originally comes from the German crusaders turned secular nobility.
We are infinitely grateful to you. We will never forget how much good the people of Latvia have done for us. We owe you a lot and you can count on our help in the future if you need it. Love from Kharkiv
Goddess bless both Latvia and Ukraine, and I hope to welcome you as my new cousins in our big European family (EU) when you have won this war. Love from Sweden
I remember reading a BBC article where they spoke to one of the very few Livonians left in the Baltics and he had this to say about Russian cultural colonization."That's why our native language is almost extinct," sighed Stalts. "Only 50 years did it. The Soviet Union did what 700 years of German times couldn't. It's difficult, very difficult for my nation."
As an Estonian myself and has been living in Estonia for past 33 years. I would say for a small country like Estonia, it is a big sacrifice we do at a cost of our peoples livelyhood.
Strange. I personally have never viewed any action of my own, Polish government, or of Polish citizens which have been the result of ruZZkie aggression on Ukraine, as a sacrifice. It's our historic obligation to cut off any connections with the terrorist state, to cast muscovites into oblivion and to help out Ukrainian brothers.
We, Ukrainians, can't thank Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania enough for their amazing support! ❤️ And I'm so happy for you guys that you're going on the path of derussification! I'm from Kharkiv, a city that was russified, and I've switched from russian to Ukrainian after Feb 24. It wasn't easy, but I'm happy to learn my beautiful national language! And I wish I could forget russian😖
Since when Kharkov region was russified? This land was uninhabited before 16 century, and then became part of Russia, and was settled by both ukrainian and russian people, your surname confirms this. Your behaviour is childy. Shame on you. Wars happen, unfortunely.
I'm going to visit Ukraine and the Baltic states in a couple of years, I'm saving up for it. All of these countries have my highest respect for their bravery in difficult times.
@@denatzpol Better the supporting a tiny dictator that murders, imprisons or exiles his opponents.Not to mention invades his neigbours in violation of treaties signed...
@@denatzpol Donetsk is Ukrainian territory, just like Crimea. Russia has been arming a seperatist movement in Donest (Russia does not like went its puppets get toppled and flee the country), and then on-top of that it also tried to invade all of Ukraine (and failed) last year. Tell me... why do we continue to find mass graves in territories that Russia invaded last year? Is it because they are murderous bastards? Do you think there is a reason why all the former Warsaw Pact members wants nothing to do with Russia any more? Do you remember the Budapest memorandum Russia signed in 1994, were it promised to respect Ukranian sovereignty and borders?
What bravery? They are all looking for the US to defend them which is why they never bothered to build a military. How many tanks did Estonia have in 2020?
As a moldavian, a guy from Moldova, listening to you is like looking on my own history. This war will change a lot in our region! Changes will be not what Pukin expected! Success to nations to find their way without imperial help.
@@FILOZOFUS87 Good question. I would like this issue to be resolved peacefully. It is obvious that Transnistria belongs to Moldova. I think that after the defeat of Russia, this question will be open. Ukraine even offered help to Moldova in this. But first, Russia must lose.
Moldova is such a strange place. I wish that you guys would become a new model of a country. I do realize it's impossible but I still want to share it. Maldova is a country that is impossible to unify on basis of historical events that has be transformed into miths of greatness. For example Lithuania and grand duchy of Lithuania or Italy and roman empire etc. But it would be so much cooler if you united under idea of future. Better Maldova and make changes based on that. To be most transparent country in the world and what not. That would be so cool... Or go with something wild and adopt Esperanto as national language lol, for sake of unification :D
Esperanto? They have a national language, it is called Romanian. It seems Russian trolls still hate it with a vengeance and would rather see Esperanto used! Because when national languages are used, Russian colonial dominance diminishrs.
I have never been to any of the Baltic countries or met people from there. But since 24.02.22 I feel a certain connection, gratitude and respect for you. I think we are united not only by a common enemy, but also by the willingness to fight with it.
Thanks i hope that your country will be in peace. Like we are right now. I love Ukraine i know i can't do anything to save or help your country. But i hope you make it through you all. I'm from Latvia i know that it's going absolutely horrible but we still can't stop hoping for you and no Russian even Putin can't stop us from believing you and help you win freedom again. I hope you make it through. Lai jums izdodas!(Hope you make it)❤🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦❤
Even within a year I've noticed a lot more Latvian spoken in Riga. When I first visited Riga in 2021 I don't think I heard much Latvian at all, but now when you go I hear it everywhere, and only the occasional Russian on the street.
@@stariyczedun I mean I saw a drunk guy stumble in a store at like 10 at night there, and before he could even open his mouth the clerks were screaming at him in Russian to get out. Also I remember seeing lots of young kids walking around speaking Russian. I'm sure some were tourists but I remember encountering many clerks default speaking Russian, like at that Maxima across from the bus station. I got greeted by Zdrastvuyte before I could even open my mouth buying a sandwich in there.
There are Ukrainians in Lithuania. I met a few. Sadly, I could not speak to them, they only knew a few words .. but what they knew, their pronunciation of Lithuanian was perfect. That had me fooled, until I tried to say something more complicated, and got a blank stare in response. Slava Ukrainii!
He forgot to mention that the current government has a far-right party that is also neo-Nazi National Party (Latvia) supports the establishment of a national day of remembrance for the Latvian Legion, a military formation within Nazi Germany's Waffen-SS.
Paldies Arturs. Having lived in Riga 20 years ago and going there regularly to visit my Latvian in-laws I've seen first hand the fantastic progress and development of your nation state. I experienced the protests in the mid 2000s when the language in schools was shifted to be more than 50% Latvian. It is a bold, but legal and necessary move to de-Russify the education system in Latvia. Russian is NOT the official language in Latvia. The same with German or English. The long term outcome is hopefully a be better integration and unity as there will not be a language divide separating people.
First and foremost it's robbing these people of their identity and culture. While in all of Europe ethnic and cultural minorities are celebrated Brussels just stands there and watches while Tallin and Riga trample their minorities rights.
There is a common misconception among many people who are not fluent in the Russian and Ukrainian languages as well as sufficient understanding of their histories that both languages are closely related and mutually intelligible. However, nothing could be farther from the truth. And, I can attest to this fact since the Ukrainian language was my first language and I studied the Russian language when I attended university. Moreover, according to professional linguists, that among all of the Slavic languages, the Russian language stands out as the least understood language. And finally, the only reason why the Russian language is largely understood in countries such as Ukraine or the Baltic States is the fact that successive Russian regimes have over several centuries not only carried out ruthless policies of Russification against ethnic minorities, but in some cases (such as the Holodomor in Ukraine in 1932-1933 and the massive deportation of Crimean Tatars in 1944) the Kremlin also orchestrated acts of massive genocide against ethnic minorities in the former Soviet Union and this continues to this very day in the current Russo-Ukrainian war. Therefore, it should not come as any surprise as to why the people in so many countries in Eastern Europe despise anything that originates from Russia including the Russian language and culture.
yet the russians try to portray themselves as victims of oppression . they teach they never invaded any country - complete bull. how did they take over all the land that is now russia? by force , that's how. as an example they bombed an apartment building in ukraine several days ago with a missile attack. . they used footage of that on their nightly news and say that it's a building in donbas bombed by ukraine. there is no limit to the evil that is russia.
@@denatzpol Oh yes, I've heard _plenty_ about Ukrainian SSR, while I was growing up in the Lithuanian SSR. If you believe that the SSRs were like countries, whose governments were democratically elected by their populations and were representing their will, then your understanding of the USSR is extremely shallow, and I suggest you learn more about it. The reality was that the governments of all SSRs were little more than locally-residing representatives of Moscow's political apparatus, and their discretionary powers on most governance issues were symbolic at best. Their job was NOT to make decisions, but to implement Moscow's decisions. So, whatever happened in any of the SSR during the times of Russian occupation, was done under Moscow's direct orders, and the SSRs' governments had no meaningful say in that.
@@denatzpol Yes, I remember elections to Aukščiausioji Taryba: you are given a ballot, containing exactly one name (that the decision-makers in Moscow had decided), and then you have to make this pointless pilgrimage to your voting precinct to drop that stupid and meaningless piece of paper into the ballot box, so that the USSR could pretend to claim that their political system was "democratic". Are you _really_ this uninformed, or are you a Polish, who grew up in _post-USSR_ Poland, so that you _didn't_ experience life under Soviet rule, therefore have unrealistic impressions of it, learned from pro-Russian and/or far-left sources? Also, did you ever stop to think about what a "highly-centralized state" means in practical terms? The USSR was famous for being one of those.
@@dernochjungenoergler no, I lived in 3 different countries and don’t think I changed ethnicity every time :) And I don’t consider myself Russian :) My grandparents spoke Yiddish at childhood, they didn’t become Russians with age, they just changed their language :)
I am an American expat, married to a wonderful Latvian woman for 27 years, we moved to Latvia in 2019. Life is so much calmer here than in the US. I do miss somethings though, Costco and some favorite restaurants. 😄 We had visited Latvia almost every 2 years from 1996 to 2017. I have seen the monumental changes and improvements over this time. I think symbolically and emotionally the removal of the Soviet monument was closure for Latvia. But the Baltics can't rest, they must always be vigilant to keep their sovereignty and independence.
@@redacted_8229 well that's the most gratuitously distasteful comment I've read in a long time. I guess we shouldn't expect any better from risible apologists like your far from good self!
@@kaspernielsen9149 Show me one place in the Gospel where Christ forced or taught to force others to follow Him? However, know this, those little deities you worship are demons and into their kingdom you will go after your time to leave this world comes unless a miracle happens and you will get right with Jesus.
You are absolutely not a viking. Viking was a type of profession, pretty much your standard type of piracy. Do you spend most of your time raiding coastal provinces? I highly doubt so.
@Niko Kapanen Christ said many things, some of it was even written down. And yet Christians seem to ignore His teaching. Did you sell everything you own and give out the money to the poor? If not you'll spend your eternity with pagans and their false gods. Well, at least according to Christ himself. Idk what will happen after death
I am immensely grateful to Latvians, Estonians and Lithuanians for their help. In turn, we will do everything in our power so that war never comes to your land.
Congratulations on a well documented and narrated documentary of a quite complex relationship between the Baltics and Russia. I am now a new subscriber. Keep up the great content. Greetings from Latvia, the country where I am now a resident from.
Just to add, I hope one day once the Putin era be over, the Baltics see Russians as friends, not enemies. Might sound impossible, but history has taught us that it is very possible, Germany being a prime example in the neighborhood.
@@jotaxc From a U.K perspective - Russia was moving toward being a modern democracy with freedom of the press and independent courts. It was integrating into the European family quite nicely. Putin trashed all of that and trashed Russia too. It will have to clean up it's house considerably before it is again trusted, or respected. All so unnecessary. Sad days.
My last boyfriend was Latvian. This video explains why he spoke fluent Russian and German in addition to his native Latvian. I knew they taught it in school, but this video explained why. Thank you!
I live my whole life in Vilnius🇱🇹, I consider myself as Lithuanian (perhaps), but my mother tongue is Russian. I speak Lithuanian (deje, vis dar ne taip gerai kaip norėčiau) -and- -I- -totally- -agree- -with- -you- -about- -the- -problem- -of- -Russians- -not- -speaking- -country's- -main- -language,- -or- -any- -other- -language- -at- -all.- Upd. It looks like I was too categorical. Actually almost every young and well educated Russian speaks Lithuanian at some level. It's not too bad actually. Russian children, seniors, emigrants and drunks can be monolingual here, but it's not a rule for the majority of them. At least in Vilnius. I'm not sure why I wrote what I wrote. I'm not one of a few “good” native Russian speakers in Lithuania. It looks like some people are just less integrated in public life and society. A really small percent of them live in a closed community, but this is really a rare exception. Perhaps I just wanted to express my situational hurt (my father and grandfather are monolingual pro-kremlin idiots), but it doesn't apply to ever Russian speaking person in Lithuania. Maybe I'm also wrong now to some extent, but it must be close to reality. There were 130 likes and channel author's heart
@@jevgenisved1419 1. Ничем не стыжусь. 2. Для предательства необходимо давать присягу или как минимум обещание. 3. Человека определяет среда, гены оказывают ничтожно малое влияние на личность.
Genetika yra svarbu. Ir šunis ir pauksčiai žino kas tai padorumas, sąžiningumas, net ir meilė. Tai kaip gali būti, kad rusai tos minties nebesupranta? Ar jie užmiršo? Ar gal tai paprasčiau: visi protingi, sažiningi, mylintys buvo išžudyti per šimtmečius?
You should not speak Russian then? Why exactly do you need Russian living in Lithuania? I just don’t understand your point. IT’s individuals’ to speak the language they want not for the government to dictate. Otherwise it’s dictatorship!
As a Kazakh I am so happy for Latvians and other Baltic countries. In 2022 (we call it the bloody January) we had an uprising against puppet pro-russian government but unfortunately we failed cause russia intervened. Now all free minded Kazakhs are rooting hard for Ukrainians as it is literally the fortress for preserving the independence of all of our countries against the evil
Excellent video. I need to say, I look at Europe differently today than I used to. The leadership that has been shown not only by the Baltic States, but also nations like Poland and Finland, in support of Ukraine, has been truly inspiring. The world owes a debt of gratitude to these nations for their stand for a just cause. I used to think of these countries as just the "new entries" to Europe, but now I see them collectively as the leaders we should all be following. As a Canadian, I wish my own country would pull our weight better within the alliance. We contribute, but not nearly as much as we should. I look forward to the day I can visit your region and learn more about these countries that have so much respect in my eyes. (And Riga looks so beautiful -- definitely on my list to visit!!)
Don't sell your home-country of Canada too short though, they are still a big donor of both military and humanitarian aid - outstripping many European countries even. :) My own home of Sweden is doing decently in the military-aid lists, but in the total aid per GDP% -age we are actually several placements BEHIND you...! :O So, Canada is actually pretty cool, in my opinion.
I completely Agree ( I am also Canadian, live in Poland). I would say that Canada seems to rest on its laurels compared to countries such as Lativa. Canada should contribute more meaninfully to NATO, although we do have a battlegroup in Latvia (its also made up of troups from 9 other countries). I personally would like to see Canada step up in a way more fitting to a country of our size/reputation. We aren't a massive power but we can contribute and invest more in defence and our armed forces. On a side note: Would be a great time to come to Lativa this month... THE IIHF World Hockey Championships are in Finland/Latvia. I am going to a game in Riga and visiting Lativa for a week! Excited to see such a beautiful city and see Team Canada for the first time :) Go Canada!
Elect new leadership, your leadership is much more in the France/Germany camp on the Russia issue than the America/Britain/Poland camp. Ditto on the Beijing issue…
@@matthewbell1228 Canada has been very supportive in its usual way, quietly but effectively. No worries, as a Ukrainian Canadian I am proud of my country’s support for the political rights, freedoms, and human values the country of my ancestors is fighting for.
@@jevgenisved1419 sobiralas, Ukraina eto vsje oblomala! posledovatelnost bila primerno takoj: Ukraina + Beloruss (bolee menee odnovremenno) potom Moldova i togda strani Baltii ili Kazahstan, po obstojatelstvam!
@@shogun8379 вы ерунду пишите. У меня родственники в России, по их каналам НИКОГДА не говорили про Прибалтику. Один раз Путин про Литву сказал и про Петра 1, так это разнесли по всем каналам. А с Украиной у них 30 лет конфликт из-за газа.
Thank you for this video. I have never learnt so much about the Baltic states before, but I must mention, that Denmark (my country) was the first to send a diplomat, and our Queen, her husband and the Crown Prince visited the Baltic States within a year if their independence.
I'm Estonian. All those who have come after WWII are Soviet colonists. If they want to stay, they have to learn the language and accept our culture or go back to native land. That simple.
I am a Dane and have wanted to visit the Baltics for quite a while. You make that intention grow. Scandinavia and the Baltics have common history and share geographic features, and I think it is wise of Scandinavians to forge closer bonds with you now.
I am danish and have been to all the baltic countries several times. They are very similar to Denmark. Both the geography, but also the mentality of the people.
When I see pictures from Latvia It has a nice Central European touch, so even It's pretty far from here, It reminds me cities/towns and villages in Czechia.👍
Hey what a gem of an episode - perhaps the channel even! Hi, Im new :) This was a very insightful episode, from my Finnish perspective this was interesting and I connected several dots of why things are as they are today. I have this week my co-founder representing our company interests in Riga. I didn't get the chance to go but this episode compensated for that loss. Thanks, great episode I hope to see more from you.
When world war 1 broke out my grandmother lived on a farm in North Dakota. Her family only spoke german, she said everyone had to learn english because it was unacceptable to speak german. So don't feel too bad for these people, they've had plenty of time to learn the language of the place they're living.
It's a nice story Scott, but you should know that ethnic loyalties, language and religion in Europe are a little bit different from in the U.S. Here, giving up your language and culture is regarded as unnecessary and as disrespectful to one's ancestors. This is why the European Union and the Council of Europe celebrate linguistic diversity and ethnic minority culture, both of which are protected in various treaties, conventions and charters. A difference is made between historical minorities (like the German-speaking South Tyroleans of Italy) and more recent immigrant communities like the Turkish people in Germany. The former have more protections and are celebrated. (Accordingly, no-one would expect the S. Tyroleans to start speaking Italian.) Some Latvians argue that their ethnic Russians should be classified as "recent immigrants". It's true that there was an influx of Russians in the Soviet era, but on the other hand there has been a Russian presence in Latvia for centuries. They can't just be wished away. The best solution would be to support the use of Latvian while also giving some kind of protection to Russian language and culture.
@@AndyT-np8mm I disagree, Russian language and culture are foreign things in the Baltics.. South Tyrolean language and culture developed in South Tyrol, not some far away land, like the Turks you mentioned, or Russians that got resettled into Baltics in place of people exiled to Siberia in effort to destroy local language and culture. You could even argue that Turks should have more cultural protection in Germany than Russians in Latvia because they were wanted there. Baltics do not ask much of them, learn local language, respect local culture, but for Russians that is to much to ask..
@@xSandamx Respect is always earned. It's never something that can be demanded. As I wrote, the use of Latvian should be supported. If the Latvian govt does this in a sensitive and creative way, it can easily ensure Latvian remains the national language and is used by most people in everyday life. No need for Draconian measures that could backfire.
This is very good news! I don't hate Russians or the Russian language, but I think it would be just natural for the Latvian language to be the primary language in Latvia. If people insist of speaking Russian, they are free to move to Russia. Russians have "forced" other countries to speak Russian for so long. Now it is time for the Russians in the Baltics and other countries to start learning the language of the countries they live in.
I remember when moving a Soviet war statue in Estonia caused massive riots by Russians. I think it was in 2006 or 2007. The statue wasn't even demolished, it was simply moved to another location.
As Pole, I couldn’t be more Happy. I hope Ukraine will win this war, and later Belarus and other post Soviet states will be finally free. Best for you guys.
Yeah, I couldn't agree more. I am also a big supporter for reunifaction of Moldova and Romania and solving problem with Transnistria that is under huge Russian influence
As an Estonian, I'm very grateful you made this video to help share our message. Switching the language spoken in schools to Estonian-only is also a massive topic here and I'm glad to know Latvia is doing the same. Kudos to your prime minister, he seems like a really intelligent and well-spoken man.
Hi from Ukraine!!!! BIG THANK YOU to all people of Latvia. It's great to know that Latvian language is strengthening. Best wishes for Latvia! Let your borders be like impenetrable wall so no russian will ever bother you
@@arisplugis5197 it never was Russian, it had a large Soviet influence. An inability to differentiate between a Georgian despot and a re-emerging world power and giant neighbour doesn't sound to bright to me. Nor does hatred of individuals who have nothing to do with politics. Not a single one of the Baltic people I know agrees with you, by the way, and it's quite a few. Go too far the Russophobe/hate road and you may find yourselves being another Ukraine. Grow up.
@@supertuscans9512 more stupid commentary designed to produce hatred which - guess what - leads to war. Enough of my Baltic friends (all mature friends who lived through Soviet times) know better than to start such idiocy. War sounds like fun to ultra Nationalists and idiots, but once you've been to one you won't want to see it pushed on others... Russia is not bothering your country in anyway whatsoever, and learning any extra language is a bonus in this world. But keep provoking and see what they might do... it's like kindergarten reading some of these comments.
I mean like even on the front cover of my passport is written „Euroopa Liit • Eesti • Pass” and I think the closest nation to us is Finland. 🇪🇪🇫🇮 So it's Finno-Ugric nations. I think when people say this terrible B-word it's xenofibic and ignorant, it's like to say KH-word instead of Ukraine
I've been a subscriber of this channel for over a year. I loved geography and your videos on Russian region was a good niche of interest. But this video was different, it's very personal. I loved that you explained your background and how this affects your perspective of the issue. Hope to see more videos in this style where you can relate to the geography. Cheers from 🇭🇰🇺🇸
Wow!! this is an eye opener for me. I knew NOTHING about Latvia, & especially it's current position within the western alliance. I'm amazed at how well the Latvian Prime minister speaks English. Westerners, particularly North Americans ( US & Canada) really should pay attention to these former Soviet states to better understand why they are more aligned to the west than with Russian. Too many westerners take their freedom for granted. Excellent video!!
Thank you for sharing this. It is important to hear from voices within a culture, rather than merely trying to guess what life is like from the outside. Subscribing to get a better local perspective on these issues.
Čau, kā bulgārs, kurš dzīvo Latvijā un mācās arī valodu, es varu pateikt, cik lepns esmu par valsti, kurā dzīvoju. Es tikai vēlos, ka mana dzimtene varētu pamosties un emancipēt sevi līdzīgi.
Malacis! Mēs visi ceram ka pārējās valstis pamodīsies no ilūzijām un atvērs acis un sāks rīkoties. Bulgārija ir skaista valsts. Spilgtākās bērnības atmiņas no atpūtas pie Melnās jūras Bulgārijā.
It is hard to express how closely related we feel to Poland, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia here in Ukraine. It's almost like our own brothers and sisters, who did better job than we did, and who we really look up to in terms of economy and law. And it feels so pleasant to repay you guys, at least in terms of prompting decolonization of your country. For me, as a Ukrainian, it is a clear examle of synergy and partnership between our countries that will make the whole our region prosperous and safe in the future.
Thanks to Ukraine and Baltic countries, the brutal russian imperialism is over forever. God bless Ukraine and the Baltic states. Love and full support from Finland! 🇫🇮✝🇺🇦🇪🇪🇱🇹🇱🇻
@@DonHaka firstly 🖕 secondly yes it does, in that case, the device's hardware (chip and semiconductors) does not exist. and thirdly op's pfp is of one of the heroic fighters that fought for it against genocidal japan
I have a drinking buddy and good friend who married a Latvian lady and moved there. His glowing reports and an invitation to visit them next year brought me here, Excellent video. Liked and subscribed.
My great grandfather was Russian (Jew) and he married a German woman (Lutheran) - my grandmother was Born in Klaipeda. Also his brother was a famous chess player who married a Latvian woman who was also jewish- they all lived in Lithuania and spoke Russian, Lithuanian and German. I read a lot about WW2 in the Baltics and I have very mixed feelings, especially with Lithuanians who collaborated with the Germans and killed around 190000 jews…including part of my family. I know live in Germany so it’s all very surreal for me and want to visit all 3 Baltic countries soon.
Hello Abcflc, thank you for sharing your family's story. I can only imagine how mixed your feelings indeed are. The madness of that war and the human suffering, including that of your family ... Respect for you trying to make sense of it, listen to your feelings and sharing your story. You probably already know him, but I want to mention Timothy Snyder, a Yale historian and expert on Eastern Europe. He is one of those few historians and public deep thinkers that really seem willing to dig deep to understand a little bit better what is going on. I have listened extensively to him on RUclips and I still plan to read his book Bloodlands, Eastern Europe between Hitler and Stalin. I would not be surprised if his book can help you make a little bit more sense of it all ... in so far as it is possible to do so. A warm hug, and love from the Netherlands.
As a Russian speaking Estonian, I absolutely love the video. I was born way after the USSR collapsed, and ethnically am Estonian(mulgi)/Latgalian but for two generations everyone in my family speaked Russian as the first language. I learned Estonian language and made sure to revise it even though I live in UK now. When in Estonia I always make sure to speak Estonian everywhere and it finally paid off as for the first time in 23 years I have Estonian friends who accept me for who I am without any prejudice. Visiting Russia for the first time was a huge shock. St Petersburg turned out to be a very hostile, dirty city. People treated me as lesser just because I according to them have an accent. I ve never experienced so much racism towards me in Estonia. I guess the difference in mentality is too great. And then I got banned from Russia for translating Estonian newspaper and publishing it. About schools, my school switched to 85% Estonian education when I started secondary school, and it played a huge role in how much better I know the language. I support fully abandoning Russian schools and reintegrating everyone into a unified school system. And yeah Russia is it's own worst enemy.Their genocidal war in Ukraine is the final nail in the coffin of their "Russian world" I am so glad to be an Estonian despite my first language. And even though I live and travel around the world, I will always know that my heart and home is in Estonia.
I am a Russian engineer, was in the process of relocation to Estonia with the family after getting a job offer in early February 2022. Then war started and visa got cancelled. Before that it was all my life plan to move to the Baltics. Now, not sure if it will be safe even in the future.
Just like any other migrant, if you show respect to the country you move in, learn the language and be part of society, then all is fine and natives will support you. Otherwise, if you're there to live better and don't care about local culture then most likely it will be time to move on (rather move back where you came from)
@@torehaaland6921 for every immigrant it's the same.They will treat you like a slave,use you to the max and say that you should be thankfull that you are there in the first place.
German here. Riga is a beautiful city, but I was surprised at how many people spoke Russian. Wish all the best to the Latvian people. Very proud of you Baltic States as a EU citizen ❤
I'm very sorry you had to endure that, master. I will do my best to discipline my inferior mind and not speak any Russian when there's a chance it can be overheard by someone. And demand the same from everyone I know.
8:28 this is incorrect. Had the Baltic states refused, there would have been war. The ultimatums were unfortunately accepted by the Baltic states, who saw no other options.
The comment wherein Putin said the fall of the soviet was a tragedy, he was referring to how quickly, and hence uncontrolled, the dissolution was, not specifically that it had occurred. He also said, as part of that statement, that it could never be rebuilt, and only a fool would attempt it. So, theres that.
I remember how shocked I was to hear so much russian when I first visited Latvia in 2017. Being from Czechia and growing up in the 90’s meant a very strong negative associatons with the russian language and I couldn’t wrap my head around how the Latvians don’t mind using russian as their daily language. On one hand I admired the locals who had told me that they learned to live in peace with the russian minority but I am still really happy to see the shift in their mentality. It takes a lot of courage to take steps like that but you can’t be a confident nation when half the population doesn’t speak your native language.
"how the Latvians don’t mind using russian as their daily language." Ou we do and always have. What you where hearing in likely Rīga was russijans speaking russijan. "I am still really happy to see the shift in their mentality." Its not enough! A matter of the nations survival of the nation is the need to deport the 300 000 russijans (and their desendants) that Hruščov sent here to genocide us. With 30% of the marriges in the country being mixed its now or never, and never means our exctinction.
So you couldn't wrap your head around why 64% of Latvian speaking Latvians don't hate other 36% of Russian-speaking Latvians? Or why the Russian-speaking minority (is it still minority when it's 36%) is speaking their mother tongue? Meaning you thought that hating on minority speaking other language is an ok thing to do in the first place? The amount and scale of racist shit I read on the internet nowadays is pretty amazing.
@@Jamert calm down Kirill. You are putting words in my mouth that I never said. I was just describing my personal experience in my own country in contrast to what I saw in Latvia couple years ago. And I stand by my words. I see it very positively that in today’s political climate Latvians decided to be more confident as a nation. I didn’t say a word about hating a minority. Believe it or not, I myself have friend amongst Russians. And I believe that like everywhere in the world there are good and bad people in Russia. It is however unfortunate that most Russians choose to be blind to the reality that we live in. But again, I live in a different reality so I cannot judge.
@@Jamert They arent russijans speaking latvians, They are russijan speaking russijans! They where sent here by Hruščov to genocide us and we must send them back or the nation will go extinct in 75 years. Ou and latvieši and russijans are bough of the same europian race. This is not about race, this is about nationality. I dont care what they speak, they need to go
@@Jamert First you got your numbers wrong, there are no 36%, some 25% Russian speaking (ethnic Russians and others together). That does not mean that they all cannot speak in Latvian, a lot of them can. No real data how many can not, an educated guess some 1/3 max. And, yes, we on average are not thrilled to speak in Russian unless with some tourists and other non-locals. Because why the hell I should try to remember the grammar etc. of totally different language of a foreign country while I'm at my home.
I enjoyed your documentary. I visited the brave Baltic nations in 1994, witnessing the tearful withdrawal of Russian troops from Riga central train station, and have just returned from travelling through them for only my second time. From the excitement and struggles of the early 90s they are now beautiful, fully formed, countries, living the life they want to live. It's unimaginable that their menacing neighbour could ever touch them again. Ukraine, which I had the privilege of visiting in 2012, though now being devastated by their once sister-nation, will surely soon join the league of successful, peaceful, nations that have been evolving throughout Europe during the last 30 years. The sooner the better.
I'm living in Latvia for more than 20 years and have observed all historical events in Riga during that time. Have also observed recent trends to force assimilation of ethnic Russians. Probably will take a generation as you mentioned. Anyway, the presentation was comprehensive and informative - really enjoyed it! Paldies!
It is nice who these countries are against Russian regimme but not their russophobia towards own population. But I think there are schools with Hungarian language in countries with signicifant Hungarian minorities. And it is usual in Europe countries support culture of minorities. If the children don't know the official language they can't be educated in. It was condemned children in Slovakia were in the 19th century taught in Hungarian because such education had no sense, the children learned only to pray in Hungarian. If Estonia and Latvia want to respect European values they should allow education and other activities in Russian as well. Unfortunately, there are many people in the Czech Republic who take inspiration from Hungary in its politics toward Russia and solution of economic problems.
Ever since Latvia dropped the laws for de-russification, I have always felt discomfort from the country. Since I am half Latvian half Russian, I never knew wut side to choose since I both love the two countries (and Ukraine as well).
In Ukraine there was exactly the same about schools. The rule about teaching in Ukrainian was just ignored by local Russified teachers in some regions. Such things happen even now during the war. I talk about schools with Ukrainian language of instructions. There are schools with Russian language of instructions as well.
I am part Lithuanian and part American, I have to tell students in 2019 in America who made Soviet Union jokes I tell them not make those jokes because what happened wasn’t funny what happened to Lithuania, Estonia or Latvia. I know they may not understand then but now I hope they now understand why I was like that, they have a better understanding of why I was like that.
Thank you for this wonderful insight into Latvia. As an Australian we learn little about east European countries. But I'm having a 6 month European vacation in 2025 and I'm adding Latvia to my list of places to see. I wish Latvia all health and happiness in your future endeavours.
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
Russia has sacrificed every ounce of soft power they ever had - only to discover they don't have any hard power left either.
clueless
Try starting a war with Russia and find out how much "hard" power they have. You'll lose, and badly.
This quote goes hard
Neither does US, who are falling apart & shooting each other!! And US continues to work in the back rooms conspiring to overthrow Russian govt. that’s really what the Ukr war is all about! Russia refuses to relinquish it’s territory, but US business is still persevering, prob not for long. Their economy is dying because their moral compass is fractured & laying in pieces…😱
Good point …. very well made !!
It was a very good idea for Latvians to switch to Latvian. I switched from Russian to Ukrainian after the Russian invasion of my motherland, Ukraine, and so did my friends and relatives who had previously used Russian. Putin said that Russia ends where the Russian language is not heard. So, dear Latvian brothers, let us deprive him of this opportunity.
Putin doesn't get to tell us where Russia ends, that goes with international treaties. And your compatriots are right now teaching him that lesson.
But good for you about learning Ukrainian! I know that in my country, Poland, schools emerge for Ukrainians to teach them... Ukranian. And I think this is the most beautiful initiative
Putin not dead!
@@Ъъъъ-ч1к Indeed. Thanks to Putin, Ukrainians clearly understood who their enemies are. He consolidated the Ukrainian nation and stimulated the growth of national consciousness.
@@Ъъъъ-ч1к Au Eestile
Slava Latvijai
Šlovė Lietuvai
Слава Україні
Everyone has the right to sovereignty
@@Ъъъъ-ч1к Change the language? šīs tautas oriģinālvaloda ir latviešu, un to nevajadzētu mainīt uz kādu citu, krievu valoda vienmēr paliks mazākumā, pat ja viņi to noliegs.
If the US was able to repair it's relationship with Vietnam, then Russia should have been able to do the same with the former Soviet states. It just chose not to do so.
Russia didn't chose not to do so. They chose to behave like nothing changed. Like the Baltics, and other former Soviet and Warsaw Pact states, are still their provinces or vassals. This backfired as well as you might expect.
The US and Vietnam's relationship is complicated(I'm pretty sure the US supported Ho Chi Minh's resistance against Japan by arming and supplying them). Which definitely helped in rekindling relations between the two countries.
Vietnam War was about power and ideological diferences and both part knew it, this war just like WW2 and Yugolasvia's falling apart has a lot of ethnic and linguistic components and that scars are more difficult to heal.
@@danieloehler2494 You are native? What nonsense you are talking! For so many years its the opposite. Russians took many important positions and didnt take Latvians in lead roles many times. Its the Russians who think they are 1st class citizens. My mother have spoken about it a lot during Soviet times. You are probably that Russian elderly who refuses to learn official language which is Latvian. Many Russians feel entitled to be superior and arrogant that everyone should speak Russian. Biggest crime are among Russians too.
@@danieloehler2494 never been to Baltic states I guess. And in Lithuania we treat people not by ethnicity, but how they are behaving. If you behave as imperilistic a-hole, you gonna be treated like that. If you are respectful person, you will be treated with respect.
@@danieloehler2494 someone who lives in a country and doesn't speak the language is a guest, an idiot or an occupant 😉.
As a Ukrainian, I am forever grateful to the people of Latvia and other countries that support Ukraine 🫶
We love you guys, Brave and will stop Russian aggression, My step-dad is part Ukrainian himself, Bless both sides however, the politicians force wars and brainwash the people.
The catch here is that they want Russia to lose more than Ukraine to win.
Much love from an American 🇺🇦❤️🇺🇸
I am half Polish and half Dutch and greet you from The Netherlands, i have shed tears for the losses of Ukraine. My Polish great grandfather told me stories about the Russians when i was young... i can not express the hatred he had towards the Russians, but i can feel that hatred now running trough myself.. we stand by Ukraine !
So I have to wonder if you feel regret for what Ukraines did to the POLISH and others during WW2, and why was the hate so strong then? Hacking kids and women to death suggests a lot was going on there.
I think it's incomprehensible that the Russian minority of Latvia doesn't speak Latvian. Apart from the rudeness, how do they live day to day? I am Macedonian and we too have a 25% minority Albanians. No one denies them their language but they all also speak Macedonian, the language of the majority.
cause each ethnicity had their own bubble and most still have this language bubble, where neither accept one another into the bubble
Well, how to say it. It's fairy tail for "Latvians" to have more push about it and it's same from independence moment (30+ years), it's just ongoing holy war about nothing. This video has a lot of "certain perspective" and other is hidden for international eyes.
It is because of russian imperialism, they think they are the chosen, the superior, winners of WW2 etc.
Because Russians are extremely good at forming small tight communities and distance themselves from the place they live in
@@georgyekimov4577 yes exactly, also imo this god complex, that is taught by the soviet minded people that pass to the next generations making them think that they are a part of ”great russia”.
Hope it made sense, it’s late.
Ethnic Russians living in the Baltics as local citizens get: 1. the rule of law 2. Chances for prosperity 3. an EU passport and free movement. What's that compared to what Russia offers?
ruski mir is in their blood. they think they should rule everywhere.
Cheap oil and gas😉
@@KurbinaDica which will be mostly obsolete in a little over a decade
@@KurbinaDica not for a long. As Russia is unable to export gas they increase the price for locals 🤣
@Boon2000 That feel will fade a lot in one generation, when the new ones come and have no ties to that part of the history. Something similar happens with young South Koreans, who don't feel like unifying with North Korea, and young Taiwanese, who feel that their entire country is just the insular one.
I'm Lithuanian and I'm so proud of Latvia for moving forward with this new policy. It's long overdue. Russian culture and language is used as a weapon and keeping the Latvian language at the forefront it's not only a matter of national security, but a matter of survival for the Latvian nation.
as an huge culture and language diversity geek, I'm so happy for you really. it felt so sad hearing that last Livonian language speaker passed away recently, so keep your language safe guys. much love from Ukraine
A matter of the survival of the nation is the need to deport the 300 000 russijans (and their desendants) that Hruščov sent here to genocide us. With 30% of the marriges in the country being mixed its now or never, and never means our exctinction.
yea this should have happened in every tainted country back in like late 90's
@@Niclaas1999 Trying to not starve as the red army tried to force conscript him and our house got 1/4 of it blown up by red army artilery missing the intended target 50 ish meters away and also having his sister shot at a german checkpoint when she was on hear ways to take care of the bees and being deaf didnt hear them yell - Halt!
He had no jewish neibors as jews dont live in rural homesteads and never have.
A matter of survival for Latvian nation is to be more accepting and inclusive of other ethnicities regardless of the level of their Latvian. More immigrants, less nationalist sensation. Latvia has fewer than 2 million people, not more than 1.3 million speak Latvian as the first language. The birth rate is negative. How does a nation see itself in a few decades?
The words from the Latvian prime minister still sticks with me as profound.
"He(Putin) viewed our arguments and our differences of opinion as a weakness."
The strength of democracy comes from letting dissenting opinions be heard out in the open.
democracy wouldn't survive for so long as leading world power if it wasn't as strong as it is to this day. he said wise words indeed.
Only smart thing Ive ever heard him say.
And make no mistake Kariņš does not tolerate dissenting opinions, in secret the former minister of health is still being triled for defying him. Very undemocractic.
No . Democracy survives as long as the rights and opinions of all those who RESPECT its principles are heard . When you allow fascists the same freedoms and platforms as everyone else you get the paradox of tolerance and the erosion of democracy
This is the same democracy that voted for a government with a far-right party that is also neo-Nazi
National Party (Latvia) supports the establishment of a national day of remembrance for the Latvian Legion, a military formation within Nazi Germany's Waffen-SS.
@@rexlevitak1 indeed. the only thing that a tolerant society cannot tolerate, is intolerance.
Im Dutch but my wife is from Latvia and we are planning to move from The Netherlands to Latvia I wish other European countries did as much for Ukraine as Latvia did you really have a beautiful country ❤️
May you guys be safe! ✝🙏🏻
And hope russia don't do with the rest of Eastern European countries what he´s doing in Ukraine.
I was in The Netherlands once, SUCH a beautiful countrie, I want to see more of Rotterdam
As a "flemish", so "dutch speaking Belgian, I'm sure that once you will live in Latvia, you will use Latvian for communication in your family as well as for social life !
Holy shit man, you are going the wrong direction. We, over 20% of Latvians, emigrated because it is a poor little country with bad health care, education and police... RUN
Of course if you have a lot of money you can do whatever you want)
@@BaronvonLeon C´mon man, have faith; I even noticed that Latvia is becoming a powerhouse in sports
@César García Yeah, but I also noticed that my younger brother should go to Latvian army, while he newer lived there bur only cause his passport.
My Great Grandfather was actually a German-Latvian, he fled to germany at the end of WWII because he collaborated with the Germans as a translator to ensure the survival of his family (despite beeing Jewish), and then had to leave when the Soviets came back, they would have killed him because he was a collaborator.
I visited Riga in 2019 and really loved the country, great to see the Latvians fully reclaim it. I cant wait to visit again some time soon!
please take no offense, I could be missinderstanding it , are you proud of your great grandfather who was a nazi collaborator 🤨 ?
@@VilkatisJanis while that is absolutely true, what OP is referring to is that his great grandfather would have had a particular target painted on his back; both for collaboration, and, I suspect, being Jewish.
@@mnxs best to my knowledge soviet regime did not kill jewish people, or at least it did not kill people for being jewish.
But yeah if they found out he has worked for or with germans he would be killed. Probably.
All i tried to do is underline that his/her drandfather made the correct choice, cause life was not very precious to soviet regime, so there is little chance her grandfather would have received any mercy
In my uncle's 1953 high school year book (for a Toronto school) there is a story by a student in the achool
about how 9 years before her family (including her) had fled Riga ahead of advancing Russian troops.
According to her: her father had been an officer in the Latvian army
and previously some of his father's colleagues
had been shot by Russian troops (she says Russian and not Soviet).
So her family decided flee to Germany even if that might mean
ending up doing forced labour.
Their first near call was when another ship in their convey was hit by a torpedo.
And then they arrived in Dresden apparently just hours before
the fire bombing of the city which I believe was packed with refugees at the time.
It seems that her whole family survived though they did end up stuck in
a camp for displaced persons at the end of the war -
a camp they were stuck in until in 1949 they were given approval
by Canadian authorities to move to Canada
just a few years before she wrote the piece for the high school year book.
@@VilkatisJanis Look up Russian pogroms- long history in Russia.
As a Latvian I'm proud of my nation and miss my homeland in general, Dievs Svietu Latviju! Slava Ukraina!
I visited Latvia a few years ago and I loved it.
@@rogerwilco2 Its a beautiful nation, forests, small hills, beaches, al lis amazing including the forts on liepaja beach
@@rogerwilco2 Been to Riga myself, wonderful city and people.
Heroyam Slava! We will never forget your kindness, friends!
Im proud of Latvians too.
As a Latvian I can tell that our language is unique. Always when I am abroad somebody is asking me - "Where are you coming from? You have very interesting language and we can't decide where do you come from." So believe me when I say, we are so different from Slavic, Scandinavian or Germanic languages.
I always play this guessing game in my mind when i overhear a foreign language. Most of the time i am wrong, so there is a good chance that i once heard latvian and mistook it for a slavic language. Oddly enough, our countries (latvia and austria) have very similar flags and also similar origin stories of said flags. (A warrior dressed in white linnen, the unprotected part of his dress covered in blood). Only that the "blood" on your flag was (probably) latgalian, the one on ours was saracen.
Yes, you're right. Lettish, Lithuanian, and Old Prussian (now extinct) are members of the Baltic family of languages. It is an Indo European language and so is related to Spanish, Gaelic, Greek, Polish, Swedish, and Armenian languages. Of course, none of these languages are mutually intelligible.
idk sounds slavic to be honest but makes sense considering history
@@jooseppaarnamets4175 it doesnt
@@Pepper98776 little bit does simply my opinion thats all
Also, the Teutonic Order had relatively little influence over Estonia and Latvia - it was its autonomous suborder called Livonian Order that influenced this.
Probably the USSR was the biggest influence
@@resireg idiotic, no.
But, but… wasn't the Livonian Order a sister state of the Teutons? Like they created coalition against pagan Balts?
Why is the old Riga so much in German architecture?
@@MrAceCraft it was wery heavily germanised city
@@MrAceCraft It's a little messy situation with the Livonian Order starting out as an independent entity then getting stomped into jelly by the native Balts and incorporated into the Teutonic Order as a semi-independent organization. All rather complicated medieval monastic order politics. But as both Orders were culturally rooted in northern Germany all of this is not really important. The main takeaway is that the German influence in Latvia and Estonia originally comes from the German crusaders turned secular nobility.
We are infinitely grateful to you. We will never forget how much good the people of Latvia have done for us. We owe you a lot and you can count on our help in the future if you need it. Love from Kharkiv
Goddess bless both Latvia and Ukraine, and I hope to welcome you as my new cousins in our big European family (EU) when you have won this war. Love from Sweden
освобождение скоро придет
@@sanag8689 на Вас тут ніхто не чекає.
@@sanag8689 скоро отсосійку звільнять від останнього мужчьони. XD
I remember reading a BBC article where they spoke to one of the very few Livonians left in the Baltics and he had this to say about Russian cultural colonization."That's why our native language is almost extinct," sighed Stalts. "Only 50 years did it. The Soviet Union did what 700 years of German times couldn't. It's difficult, very difficult for my nation."
Cheers from Sweden! Always respected our Baltic friends, it makes me proud that we share the highest support for Ukraine in the world.
Thank you from Ukraine for your help Latvia!
🇺🇦 🇱🇻
@Aija Heroyam Slava! We will win! We love you, thank you for helping us survive the crazy russians
kys
- a latvian
Russia sends very warm regards from the sky.
@@redacted_8229 Don't worry, we know who you are human in your late 20's
@@redacted_8229 i hate ukraine so much its unreal
As an Estonian myself and has been living in Estonia for past 33 years. I would say for a small country like Estonia, it is a big sacrifice we do at a cost of our peoples livelyhood.
Strange. I personally have never viewed any action of my own, Polish government, or of Polish citizens which have been the result of ruZZkie aggression on Ukraine, as a sacrifice. It's our historic obligation to cut off any connections with the terrorist state, to cast muscovites into oblivion and to help out Ukrainian brothers.
yes very complicated with a 45% shared Russian population
@@stephenclenton3122 25 actually
@@stephenclenton3122 Russian is spoken by ~56%, but ethnic Russians comprise only ~24% of the population.
@@VVayVVard 56% CAN speak russian, not that 56% speak russian
We, Ukrainians, can't thank Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania enough for their amazing support! ❤️
And I'm so happy for you guys that you're going on the path of derussification! I'm from Kharkiv, a city that was russified, and I've switched from russian to Ukrainian after Feb 24. It wasn't easy, but I'm happy to learn my beautiful national language! And I wish I could forget russian😖
And Im hopping the ukrainians keep their promise, that being refugese they would only live here temporeraly and afterwords go back to Ukraina.
Since when Kharkov region was russified? This land was uninhabited before 16 century, and then became part of Russia, and was settled by both ukrainian and russian people, your surname confirms this.
Your behaviour is childy. Shame on you. Wars happen, unfortunely.
@@baltulielkungsgunarsmiezis9714 its like obvious
@@VlasneToJeDobre History shows that many dont go back. So this better not be a typical case.
@@baltulielkungsgunarsmiezis9714 that's very nazi of you and very xenophobic
I'm going to visit Ukraine and the Baltic states in a couple of years, I'm saving up for it. All of these countries have my highest respect for their bravery in difficult times.
@Komitet Denazyfikacji Polski Thanks Vlad for your input.
@@denatzpol Better the supporting a tiny dictator that murders, imprisons or exiles his opponents.Not to mention invades his neigbours in violation of treaties signed...
@@denatzpol No and you damn well no it. We are talking about your hero Putler and Russia.
@@denatzpol Donetsk is Ukrainian territory, just like Crimea. Russia has been arming a seperatist movement in Donest (Russia does not like went its puppets get toppled and flee the country), and then on-top of that it also tried to invade all of Ukraine (and failed) last year.
Tell me... why do we continue to find mass graves in territories that Russia invaded last year? Is it because they are murderous bastards? Do you think there is a reason why all the former Warsaw Pact members wants nothing to do with Russia any more?
Do you remember the Budapest memorandum Russia signed in 1994, were it promised to respect Ukranian sovereignty and borders?
What bravery? They are all looking for the US to defend them which is why they never bothered to build a military. How many tanks did Estonia have in 2020?
As a moldavian, a guy from Moldova, listening to you is like looking on my own history. This war will change a lot in our region! Changes will be not what Pukin expected! Success to nations to find their way without imperial help.
So what to do with Transnistria?
@@FILOZOFUS87 Good question. I would like this issue to be resolved peacefully. It is obvious that Transnistria belongs to Moldova. I think that after the defeat of Russia, this question will be open. Ukraine even offered help to Moldova in this. But first, Russia must lose.
Moldova is such a strange place. I wish that you guys would become a new model of a country. I do realize it's impossible but I still want to share it. Maldova is a country that is impossible to unify on basis of historical events that has be transformed into miths of greatness. For example Lithuania and grand duchy of Lithuania or Italy and roman empire etc. But it would be so much cooler if you united under idea of future. Better Maldova and make changes based on that. To be most transparent country in the world and what not. That would be so cool... Or go with something wild and adopt Esperanto as national language lol, for sake of unification :D
@@zooziz5724I mean there was something called the principality of Moldova so there’s that. They fought a lot of wars against the Ottoman Empire
Esperanto? They have a national language, it is called Romanian. It seems Russian trolls still hate it with a vengeance and would rather see Esperanto used! Because when national languages are used, Russian colonial dominance diminishrs.
I have never been to any of the Baltic countries or met people from there. But since 24.02.22 I feel a certain connection, gratitude and respect for you. I think we are united not only by a common enemy, but also by the willingness to fight with it.
What an enemy do Baltic countries have?
@@andrebyche31 Russia, always been Russia, always will be Russia.
💙💛
@@antanassmetona4054 🤡 sorry, kind of stupidity is thinking that there is a war between Russia and Latvia
@@andrebyche31 have you not been paying attention the last year?
As ukrainian i must visit each of baltic countries. Extremally grateful for what you have done for us!!!
Thanks i hope that your country will be in peace. Like we are right now. I love Ukraine i know i can't do anything to save or help your country. But i hope you make it through you all. I'm from Latvia i know that it's going absolutely horrible but we still can't stop hoping for you and no Russian even Putin can't stop us from believing you and help you win freedom again. I hope you make it through.
Lai jums izdodas!(Hope you make it)❤🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦❤
Riga and Talinn are beautiful cities. I never went to Vilnius.
I'm a quarter Latvian. From what I understand, Latvian and Lithuanian are among Europe's oldest languages. Perhaps even older than Celtic languages.
Even within a year I've noticed a lot more Latvian spoken in Riga. When I first visited Riga in 2021 I don't think I heard much Latvian at all, but now when you go I hear it everywhere, and only the occasional Russian on the street.
Those were Russian tourists most likely. Riga is still around 50% Russian speaking.
@@stariyczedun I mean I saw a drunk guy stumble in a store at like 10 at night there, and before he could even open his mouth the clerks were screaming at him in Russian to get out. Also I remember seeing lots of young kids walking around speaking Russian. I'm sure some were tourists but I remember encountering many clerks default speaking Russian, like at that Maxima across from the bus station. I got greeted by Zdrastvuyte before I could even open my mouth buying a sandwich in there.
You probably go to the city centre and old town. In densely populated areas of Riga you could hear more Russian than Latvian
ZZZ
@@stariyczedun Russian tourists in 2023, hahaha. Are you living in cave? 40-50% of population in Riga main language is russian.
I would to send my love and respect to 🇱🇹🇱🇻🇪🇪 I'm Ukrainian and i i'm so grateful for you help. "Friend in need is a friend indeed".
There are Ukrainians in Lithuania. I met a few. Sadly, I could not speak to them, they only knew a few words .. but what they knew, their pronunciation of Lithuanian was perfect. That had me fooled, until I tried to say something more complicated, and got a blank stare in response. Slava Ukrainii!
He forgot to mention that the current government has a far-right party that is also neo-Nazi
National Party (Latvia) supports the establishment of a national day of remembrance for the Latvian Legion, a military formation within Nazi Germany's Waffen-SS.
Paldies Arturs. Having lived in Riga 20 years ago and going there regularly to visit my Latvian in-laws I've seen first hand the fantastic progress and development of your nation state. I experienced the protests in the mid 2000s when the language in schools was shifted to be more than 50% Latvian. It is a bold, but legal and necessary move to de-Russify the education system in Latvia. Russian is NOT the official language in Latvia. The same with German or English. The long term outcome is hopefully a be better integration and unity as there will not be a language divide separating people.
First and foremost it's robbing these people of their identity and culture. While in all of Europe ethnic and cultural minorities are celebrated Brussels just stands there and watches while Tallin and Riga trample their minorities rights.
Are you implying that all people should speak the same language? What if someone tried to apply the same policy in America?wouldn't that be racist?
So what do you suggest? To kill all the Russians in Baltic?
Russian IS highly spoken language all around the world.
@@koiue.g8709 good, countries with a single language are more stable
There is a common misconception among many people who are not fluent in the Russian and Ukrainian languages as well as sufficient understanding of their histories that both languages are closely related and mutually intelligible. However, nothing could be farther from the truth. And, I can attest to this fact since the Ukrainian language was my first language and I studied the Russian language when I attended university. Moreover, according to professional linguists, that among all of the Slavic languages, the Russian language stands out as the least understood language. And finally, the only reason why the Russian language is largely understood in countries such as Ukraine or the Baltic States is the fact that successive Russian regimes have over several centuries not only carried out ruthless policies of Russification against ethnic minorities, but in some cases (such as the Holodomor in Ukraine in 1932-1933 and the massive deportation of Crimean Tatars in 1944) the Kremlin also orchestrated acts of massive genocide against ethnic minorities in the former Soviet Union and this continues to this very day in the current Russo-Ukrainian war. Therefore, it should not come as any surprise as to why the people in so many countries in Eastern Europe despise anything that originates from Russia including the Russian language and culture.
yet the russians try to portray themselves as victims of oppression . they teach they never invaded any country - complete bull. how did they take over all the land that is now russia? by force , that's how.
as an example they bombed an apartment building in ukraine several days ago with a missile attack. . they used footage of that on their nightly news and say that it's a building in donbas bombed by ukraine. there is no limit to the evil that is russia.
@Komitet Denazyfikacji Polski "holodomor happened under ukrainian goverment"??? Are you _pretending_ to the stupid, or actually are?
@@denatzpol Oh yes, I've heard _plenty_ about Ukrainian SSR, while I was growing up in the Lithuanian SSR. If you believe that the SSRs were like countries, whose governments were democratically elected by their populations and were representing their will, then your understanding of the USSR is extremely shallow, and I suggest you learn more about it.
The reality was that the governments of all SSRs were little more than locally-residing representatives of Moscow's political apparatus, and their discretionary powers on most governance issues were symbolic at best. Their job was NOT to make decisions, but to implement Moscow's decisions.
So, whatever happened in any of the SSR during the times of Russian occupation, was done under Moscow's direct orders, and the SSRs' governments had no meaningful say in that.
@@denatzpol Yes, I remember elections to Aukščiausioji Taryba: you are given a ballot, containing exactly one name (that the decision-makers in Moscow had decided), and then you have to make this pointless pilgrimage to your voting precinct to drop that stupid and meaningless piece of paper into the ballot box, so that the USSR could pretend to claim that their political system was "democratic".
Are you _really_ this uninformed, or are you a Polish, who grew up in _post-USSR_ Poland, so that you _didn't_ experience life under Soviet rule, therefore have unrealistic impressions of it, learned from pro-Russian and/or far-left sources?
Also, did you ever stop to think about what a "highly-centralized state" means in practical terms? The USSR was famous for being one of those.
Bandera says hi
Latvia is close to my heart. I visit the country last year in business and fell in love with the landscape, the culture and the people!
Thanks for watching:) it’s paradise in the summer especially
Just place
@@GeoPerspective I've been there in the Summer and loved it. Kind of want to see it in the winter covered in snow if/ when I go back.
Wow... .
Language is essential to national identity
Basically, the language you speak, the ethnicity you are...
@@dernochjungenoergler in civic natioanlism? Yes. In ethnic nationalism you still will be considered a lesser being.
@@iplaygames8090 thats not how ethnic nationalism works, unless you think having a passport is what makes you human
@@dernochjungenoergler no, I lived in 3 different countries and don’t think I changed ethnicity every time :) And I don’t consider myself Russian :) My grandparents spoke Yiddish at childhood, they didn’t become Russians with age, they just changed their language :)
But you can't forbid to any ethnicity to speak their language
I am an American expat, married to a wonderful Latvian woman for 27 years, we moved to Latvia in 2019. Life is so much calmer here than in the US. I do miss somethings though, Costco and some favorite restaurants. 😄
We had visited Latvia almost every 2 years from 1996 to 2017. I have seen the monumental changes and improvements over this time. I think symbolically and emotionally the removal of the Soviet monument was closure for Latvia. But the Baltics can't rest, they must always be vigilant to keep their sovereignty and independence.
immigrant, not an expat, whatever the hell that is, but fear not Americans are usually welcomed in Eastern Europe
Just don't try to impose radical leftism and we'll be cool
@@JackTenrec-qk4zp don't worry us expats are usually just salaried economic migrants. It's just easier to say expat🙄🤣
Couldn't get an American woman, eh? Watch out for those mail-order brides.
@@redacted_8229 well that's the most gratuitously distasteful comment I've read in a long time. I guess we shouldn't expect any better from risible apologists like your far from good self!
Thanks!
Thank you for watching :)
As a Viking Dane I only wish and pray to the gods for fortune and prosperity to all my Baltic brothers.
I though Danes got rid of their demons and came to know Christ.
@@nikokapanen82 the demons of which you speak are Christ and muhammed. Forcing other to adopt their believs.
@@kaspernielsen9149
Show me one place in the Gospel where Christ forced or taught to force others to follow Him? However, know this, those little deities you worship are demons and into their kingdom you will go after your time to leave this world comes unless a miracle happens and you will get right with Jesus.
You are absolutely not a viking. Viking was a type of profession, pretty much your standard type of piracy. Do you spend most of your time raiding coastal provinces? I highly doubt so.
@Niko Kapanen
Christ said many things, some of it was even written down. And yet Christians seem to ignore His teaching. Did you sell everything you own and give out the money to the poor? If not you'll spend your eternity with pagans and their false gods. Well, at least according to Christ himself. Idk what will happen after death
I am immensely grateful to Latvians, Estonians and Lithuanians for their help. In turn, we will do everything in our power so that war never comes to your land.
Absolutely fascinating! What an interest country Latvia is! I knew nothing about this before watching this video
As a Lithuanian braliukas, I am very proud of Latvia ❤
Congratulations on a well documented and narrated documentary of a quite complex relationship between the Baltics and Russia. I am now a new subscriber. Keep up the great content. Greetings from Latvia, the country where I am now a resident from.
Just to add, I hope one day once the Putin era be over, the Baltics see Russians as friends, not enemies. Might sound impossible, but history has taught us that it is very possible, Germany being a prime example in the neighborhood.
Thanks you for watching
@@jotaxc Nah our countries might become cooperational but not friendly.
@@jotaxc From a U.K perspective - Russia was moving toward being a modern democracy with freedom of the press and independent courts. It was integrating into the European family quite nicely. Putin trashed all of that and trashed Russia too. It will have to clean up it's house considerably before it is again trusted, or respected. All so unnecessary. Sad days.
@@jotaxc baltics will be denazified, dude. These countries imposed a real apartheid, so their destiny is to be destroyed
My last boyfriend was Latvian. This video explains why he spoke fluent Russian and German in addition to his native Latvian. I knew they taught it in school, but this video explained why. Thank you!
thanks for watching :)
Cannot even say how we are appreciate your help, Latvia.
With love from Ukraine
Love from fascist land
@@johnt7921 you just got reported
@@piretiris8223 for what?
@@PB538KAI for spreading misinformation
@@johnt7921 Facist land? So russia?
I live my whole life in Vilnius🇱🇹, I consider myself as Lithuanian (perhaps), but my mother tongue is Russian. I speak Lithuanian (deje, vis dar ne taip gerai kaip norėčiau) -and- -I- -totally- -agree- -with- -you- -about- -the- -problem- -of- -Russians- -not- -speaking- -country's- -main- -language,- -or- -any- -other- -language- -at- -all.-
Upd. It looks like I was too categorical. Actually almost every young and well educated Russian speaks Lithuanian at some level. It's not too bad actually. Russian children, seniors, emigrants and drunks can be monolingual here, but it's not a rule for the majority of them. At least in Vilnius.
I'm not sure why I wrote what I wrote. I'm not one of a few “good” native Russian speakers in Lithuania.
It looks like some people are just less integrated in public life and society. A really small percent of them live in a closed community, but this is really a rare exception.
Perhaps I just wanted to express my situational hurt (my father and grandfather are monolingual pro-kremlin idiots), but it doesn't apply to ever Russian speaking person in Lithuania.
Maybe I'm also wrong now to some extent, but it must be close to reality.
There were 130 likes and channel author's heart
Ну и чем ты гордишься? Предал свой народ и стыдишься своего происхождения
@@jevgenisved1419 1. Ничем не стыжусь.
2. Для предательства необходимо давать присягу или как минимум обещание.
3. Человека определяет среда, гены оказывают ничтожно малое влияние на личность.
@@jevgenisved1419 вы кринж, Евгений
Genetika yra svarbu. Ir šunis ir pauksčiai žino kas tai padorumas, sąžiningumas, net ir meilė. Tai kaip gali būti, kad rusai tos minties nebesupranta? Ar jie užmiršo? Ar gal tai paprasčiau: visi protingi, sažiningi, mylintys buvo išžudyti per šimtmečius?
You should not speak Russian then? Why exactly do you need Russian living in Lithuania? I just don’t understand your point. IT’s individuals’ to speak the language they want not for the government to dictate. Otherwise it’s dictatorship!
As a Kazakh I am so happy for Latvians and other Baltic countries. In 2022 (we call it the bloody January) we had an uprising against puppet pro-russian government but unfortunately we failed cause russia intervened. Now all free minded Kazakhs are rooting hard for Ukrainians as it is literally the fortress for preserving the independence of all of our countries against the evil
освобождение от злой расии это грабежи банков?)
He was so pro-Russian that Nursultan Nazarbayev abandoned cyrillic alphabet for Latin. 🤡 And opposed the Communist coup while supporting independence.
Камила, как легко расставить всем ярлыки: хорошие, плохие ) вы разберитесь с коррупцией в вашей замечательной стране для начала)
@@njkt9oСперва сами разберитесь
Excellent video. I need to say, I look at Europe differently today than I used to. The leadership that has been shown not only by the Baltic States, but also nations like Poland and Finland, in support of Ukraine, has been truly inspiring. The world owes a debt of gratitude to these nations for their stand for a just cause. I used to think of these countries as just the "new entries" to Europe, but now I see them collectively as the leaders we should all be following. As a Canadian, I wish my own country would pull our weight better within the alliance. We contribute, but not nearly as much as we should. I look forward to the day I can visit your region and learn more about these countries that have so much respect in my eyes. (And Riga looks so beautiful -- definitely on my list to visit!!)
Don't sell your home-country of Canada too short though, they are still a big donor of both military and humanitarian aid - outstripping many European countries even. :) My own home of Sweden is doing decently in the military-aid lists, but in the total aid per GDP% -age we are actually several placements BEHIND you...! :O So, Canada is actually pretty cool, in my opinion.
I completely Agree ( I am also Canadian, live in Poland). I would say that Canada seems to rest on its laurels compared to countries such as Lativa. Canada should contribute more meaninfully to NATO, although we do have a battlegroup in Latvia (its also made up of troups from 9 other countries). I personally would like to see Canada step up in a way more fitting to a country of our size/reputation. We aren't a massive power but we can contribute and invest more in defence and our armed forces.
On a side note: Would be a great time to come to Lativa this month... THE IIHF World Hockey Championships are in Finland/Latvia. I am going to a game in Riga and visiting Lativa for a week! Excited to see such a beautiful city and see Team Canada for the first time :) Go Canada!
@@matthewbell1228 Thanks for that, Matthew. Agreed for sure. And yes, with the Leafs imploding (again), the WHC might need a closer look this year!! 🙂
Elect new leadership, your leadership is much more in the France/Germany camp on the Russia issue than the America/Britain/Poland camp. Ditto on the Beijing issue…
@@matthewbell1228 Canada has been very supportive in its usual way, quietly but effectively. No worries, as a Ukrainian Canadian I am proud of my country’s support for the political rights, freedoms, and human values the country of my ancestors is fighting for.
New subscriber. This is an excellent, balanced, and well done video. Best wishes to the Latvian people.
I am sending all my love to Latvia, Lithaunia and Estonia from Poland with the radio of love waves!!! Adjust Your receivers fellows!
We received your love our polish brother/sister.Thank you.Paldies
i am a simple Latvian. i see Latvia, i like.
I'm a simple Lithuanian I see us or our brothers Latvians, I like 😊
I'm a complicated European, I see a European country, I like :)
Thank You Latvia! Thank you from Ukraine! Thank you for support!!!
vam podjaka, shanovni ukrainci! ce vi stoite zahistom vsej Baltii da i Europi odnochasno! (with love from Latvia)
@@shogun8379какая защита? Россия не собирается на прибалтику нападать. Вы сошли с ума?
@@jevgenisved1419 sobiralas, Ukraina eto vsje oblomala! posledovatelnost bila primerno takoj: Ukraina + Beloruss (bolee menee odnovremenno) potom Moldova i togda strani Baltii ili Kazahstan, po obstojatelstvam!
@@shogun8379 вы ерунду пишите. У меня родственники в России, по их каналам НИКОГДА не говорили про Прибалтику. Один раз Путин про Литву сказал и про Петра 1, так это разнесли по всем каналам. А с Украиной у них 30 лет конфликт из-за газа.
@@shogun8379 это Зеленский говорил
Thank you for this video. I have never learnt so much about the Baltic states before, but I must mention, that Denmark (my country) was the first to send a diplomat, and our Queen, her husband and the Crown Prince visited the Baltic States within a year if their independence.
Nobody thinks much about the Baltic states. They are of no real importance.
I'm Estonian. All those who have come after WWII are Soviet colonists. If they want to stay, they have to learn the language and accept our culture or go back to native land. That simple.
Best wishes to Latvia from Ukraine!
Very warn wishes from Russia to Ukraine. Flaming hot even.
I am a Dane and have wanted to visit the Baltics for quite a while. You make that intention grow.
Scandinavia and the Baltics have common history and share geographic features, and I think it is wise of Scandinavians to forge closer bonds with you now.
I am danish and have been to all the baltic countries several times. They are very similar to Denmark. Both the geography, but also the mentality of the people.
The Baltic states are a great addition to the European family. We welcome our brothers and sisters and your rich cultural heritage.
When I see pictures from Latvia It has a nice Central European touch, so even It's pretty far from here, It reminds me cities/towns and villages in Czechia.👍
Сравнил жопу с пальцем
@@jevgenisved1419 sorry, don't understand you, try to use English or German...
@@vojtechrod6114oops, i thought you wrote Chechna instead of Czhech Republic.
Definitely there's that central European look. Very nice looking cites, it also reminded me of some places in Poland.
Could be that both have a lot of German influence (Prussian in the Baltics and Austrian in Czech)
Hey what a gem of an episode - perhaps the channel even! Hi, Im new :) This was a very insightful episode, from my Finnish perspective this was interesting and I connected several dots of why things are as they are today. I have this week my co-founder representing our company interests in Riga. I didn't get the chance to go but this episode compensated for that loss. Thanks, great episode I hope to see more from you.
Thanks for watching
Karelia... It will be Finnish again!
@@moritamikamikara3879No thanks, I don't want Finland to go bankrupt.
When world war 1 broke out my grandmother lived on a farm in North Dakota. Her family only spoke german, she said everyone had to learn english because it was unacceptable to speak german. So don't feel too bad for these people, they've had plenty of time to learn the language of the place they're living.
It's a nice story Scott, but you should know that ethnic loyalties, language and religion in Europe are a little bit different from in the U.S. Here, giving up your language and culture is regarded as unnecessary and as disrespectful to one's ancestors. This is why the European Union and the Council of Europe celebrate linguistic diversity and ethnic minority culture, both of which are protected in various treaties, conventions and charters. A difference is made between historical minorities (like the German-speaking South Tyroleans of Italy) and more recent immigrant communities like the Turkish people in Germany. The former have more protections and are celebrated. (Accordingly, no-one would expect the S. Tyroleans to start speaking Italian.) Some Latvians argue that their ethnic Russians should be classified as "recent immigrants". It's true that there was an influx of Russians in the Soviet era, but on the other hand there has been a Russian presence in Latvia for centuries. They can't just be wished away. The best solution would be to support the use of Latvian while also giving some kind of protection to Russian language and culture.
@@AndyT-np8mm excellent
@@AndyT-np8mm I disagree, Russian language and culture are foreign things in the Baltics.. South Tyrolean language and culture developed in South Tyrol, not some far away land, like the Turks you mentioned, or Russians that got resettled into Baltics in place of people exiled to Siberia in effort to destroy local language and culture. You could even argue that Turks should have more cultural protection in Germany than Russians in Latvia because they were wanted there. Baltics do not ask much of them, learn local language, respect local culture, but for Russians that is to much to ask..
@@xSandamx Respect is always earned. It's never something that can be demanded. As I wrote, the use of Latvian should be supported. If the Latvian govt does this in a sensitive and creative way, it can easily ensure Latvian remains the national language and is used by most people in everyday life. No need for Draconian measures that could backfire.
@AndyT-np8mm draconian measures are not only needed in this case. They should be even more enforcing
This is very good news! I don't hate Russians or the Russian language, but I think it would be just natural for the Latvian language to be the primary language in Latvia. If people insist of speaking Russian, they are free to move to Russia.
Russians have "forced" other countries to speak Russian for so long. Now it is time for the Russians in the Baltics and other countries to start learning the language of the countries they live in.
yeah but ''Russians" forced the language at the time of Soviet Union. Are you suggesting a member of EU, democratic Latvia uses the same methods? lol
@@LimonMitZukerkiyou're a dbag .. obviously that's not what they're saying .. learn some chill ... Lol = passive aggression and insecurity
So you are for the creation of a mono-ethnic society, banishing minority ethnic groups.
Definitely not nazism.
I remember when moving a Soviet war statue in Estonia caused massive riots by Russians. I think it was in 2006 or 2007. The statue wasn't even demolished, it was simply moved to another location.
Any word on demolishment?
Žudikams paminklų nestato.
@@nomedan ну да, вы только своим ф-шистам--лесным братьям памятники ставите.
@rodrigosantosvaleriano1859русские живут в Эстонии с 1721 года как минимум. Те русские которые в Эстонии, живут там поколениями.
@Ž Š, his translation is working right. He means that those russians at first are Estonian citizens and living there for decades.
This is so good to hear. I will visit Riga next month and am happy to hear of the derussification.
As Pole, I couldn’t be more Happy.
I hope Ukraine will win this war, and later Belarus and other post Soviet states will be finally free.
Best for you guys.
Yeah, I couldn't agree more. I am also a big supporter for reunifaction of Moldova and Romania and solving problem with Transnistria that is under huge Russian influence
As an Estonian, I'm very grateful you made this video to help share our message. Switching the language spoken in schools to Estonian-only is also a massive topic here and I'm glad to know Latvia is doing the same. Kudos to your prime minister, he seems like a really intelligent and well-spoken man.
Hi from Ukraine!!!! BIG THANK YOU to all people of Latvia. It's great to know that Latvian language is strengthening. Best wishes for Latvia! Let your borders be like impenetrable wall so no russian will ever bother you
What a hateful and divisive thing to say.
@@gurglejug627 no. we love our country, language and culture. because of love we conduct a special operation of derusification.
Keep all Orcs in Russia.
@@arisplugis5197 it never was Russian, it had a large Soviet influence. An inability to differentiate between a Georgian despot and a re-emerging world power and giant neighbour doesn't sound to bright to me. Nor does hatred of individuals who have nothing to do with politics. Not a single one of the Baltic people I know agrees with you, by the way, and it's quite a few. Go too far the Russophobe/hate road and you may find yourselves being another Ukraine. Grow up.
@@supertuscans9512 more stupid commentary designed to produce hatred which - guess what - leads to war. Enough of my Baltic friends (all mature friends who lived through Soviet times) know better than to start such idiocy. War sounds like fun to ultra Nationalists and idiots, but once you've been to one you won't want to see it pushed on others... Russia is not bothering your country in anyway whatsoever, and learning any extra language is a bonus in this world. But keep provoking and see what they might do... it's like kindergarten reading some of these comments.
Amazing video my friend! Hope, ruzzia will never invade Baltic States again...
From Ukraine with Love! 🇺🇦💚🇱🇹🇱🇻🇪🇪
Well, with that NATO membership, you guys can rest easy. Putin doesn't want any of this smoke.
Estland is Estland no Baltic State
I mean like even on the front cover of my passport is written „Euroopa Liit • Eesti • Pass” and I think the closest nation to us is Finland. 🇪🇪🇫🇮 So it's Finno-Ugric nations. I think when people say this terrible B-word it's xenofibic and ignorant, it's like to say KH-word instead of Ukraine
I've been a subscriber of this channel for over a year. I loved geography and your videos on Russian region was a good niche of interest.
But this video was different, it's very personal. I loved that you explained your background and how this affects your perspective of the issue.
Hope to see more videos in this style where you can relate to the geography. Cheers from 🇭🇰🇺🇸
Wow!! this is an eye opener for me. I knew NOTHING about Latvia, & especially it's current position within the western alliance. I'm amazed at how well the Latvian Prime minister speaks English.
Westerners, particularly North Americans ( US & Canada) really should pay attention to these former Soviet states to better understand why they are more aligned to the west than with Russian.
Too many westerners take their freedom for granted.
Excellent video!!
Thank you for sharing this. It is important to hear from voices within a culture, rather than merely trying to guess what life is like from the outside. Subscribing to get a better local perspective on these issues.
Without a doubt this is the most well made Latvian video that i have seen on RUclips Your channel has huge potential :)
thanks :)
Just discovered your channel. 1 thing to say; congratz. It was nicely done; very informative in a short time
8:39 All narrated in such cheerful tones " ... Hundreds of thousands were never seen again..."
Čau, kā bulgārs, kurš dzīvo Latvijā un mācās arī valodu, es varu pateikt, cik lepns esmu par valsti, kurā dzīvoju. Es tikai vēlos, ka mana dzimtene varētu pamosties un emancipēt sevi līdzīgi.
Tev labi padodas 👍
Malacis! Vēlu tev visu labāko!!
man ir ļoti liels prieks, ka tev šeit patīk :))) Es arī ceru, ka visas valstis, kas vēl nav pamodušās, pamodīsies un rīkosies savas brīvības vārdā :)
Malacis! Mēs visi ceram ka pārējās valstis pamodīsies no ilūzijām un atvērs acis un sāks rīkoties. Bulgārija ir skaista valsts. Spilgtākās bērnības atmiņas no atpūtas pie Melnās jūras Bulgārijā.
It is hard to express how closely related we feel to Poland, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia here in Ukraine. It's almost like our own brothers and sisters, who did better job than we did, and who we really look up to in terms of economy and law. And it feels so pleasant to repay you guys, at least in terms of prompting decolonization of your country. For me, as a Ukrainian, it is a clear examle of synergy and partnership between our countries that will make the whole our region prosperous and safe in the future.
Intermarium 🇪🇪🇱🇻🇱🇹🇺🇦🇵🇱
Thanks to Ukraine and Baltic countries, the brutal russian imperialism is over forever. God bless Ukraine and the Baltic states. Love and full support from Finland! 🇫🇮✝🇺🇦🇪🇪🇱🇹🇱🇻
Ukrainei s losing lol. Z
@@thatoneunemployedmf keep believing what daddy Vlad is telling you on your precious television, this way Ukraine will win. Слава Украине!
@@rio55555why you speak russian 😂😂
Thankyou sooooomuch for the educated info...keep it up
The beginning was truly a beautiful cinematic bit. A truly magnificent video!
yoo nice republic of china
@@ss_super_steve Why are you talking about a country that doesn't exist?
@@DonHaka firstly 🖕
secondly yes it does, in that case, the device's hardware (chip and semiconductors) does not exist.
and thirdly op's pfp is of one of the heroic fighters that fought for it against genocidal japan
I had the pleasure of touring through the Baltic states in 2018. Well worth visiting.
I have a drinking buddy and good friend who married a Latvian lady and moved there. His glowing reports and an invitation to visit them next year brought me here, Excellent video. Liked and subscribed.
My great grandfather was Russian (Jew) and he married a German woman (Lutheran) - my grandmother was Born in Klaipeda. Also his brother was a famous chess player who married a Latvian woman who was also jewish- they all lived in Lithuania and spoke Russian, Lithuanian and German. I read a lot about WW2 in the Baltics and I have very mixed feelings, especially with Lithuanians who collaborated with the Germans and killed around 190000 jews…including part of my family. I know live in Germany so it’s all very surreal for me and want to visit all 3 Baltic countries soon.
Der war interessant
As a Lithuanian, I can say this: A small price to pay for salvation
Hello Abcflc, thank you for sharing your family's story. I can only imagine how mixed your feelings indeed are. The madness of that war and the human suffering, including that of your family ... Respect for you trying to make sense of it, listen to your feelings and sharing your story.
You probably already know him, but I want to mention Timothy Snyder, a Yale historian and expert on Eastern Europe. He is one of those few historians and public deep thinkers that really seem willing to dig deep to understand a little bit better what is going on. I have listened extensively to him on RUclips and I still plan to read his book Bloodlands, Eastern Europe between Hitler and Stalin. I would not be surprised if his book can help you make a little bit more sense of it all ... in so far as it is possible to do so.
A warm hug, and love from the Netherlands.
@@terraincognita3749 Thank you for your kind words. I will read it!
@@Abcflc ☺❤
Waw. That's an important insight for me as Ukrainian. Great video. ❤
Thank you to Latvia from Ukraine! Good video!
The Baltic States are the moral voice of Europe in the struggle against authoritarianism.
As a Russian speaking Estonian, I absolutely love the video. I was born way after the USSR collapsed, and ethnically am Estonian(mulgi)/Latgalian but for two generations everyone in my family speaked Russian as the first language.
I learned Estonian language and made sure to revise it even though I live in UK now. When in Estonia I always make sure to speak Estonian everywhere and it finally paid off as for the first time in 23 years I have Estonian friends who accept me for who I am without any prejudice.
Visiting Russia for the first time was a huge shock. St Petersburg turned out to be a very hostile, dirty city. People treated me as lesser just because I according to them have an accent. I ve never experienced so much racism towards me in Estonia. I guess the difference in mentality is too great. And then I got banned from Russia for translating Estonian newspaper and publishing it.
About schools, my school switched to 85% Estonian education when I started secondary school, and it played a huge role in how much better I know the language. I support fully abandoning Russian schools and reintegrating everyone into a unified school system.
And yeah Russia is it's own worst enemy.Their genocidal war in Ukraine is the final nail in the coffin of their "Russian world"
I am so glad to be an Estonian despite my first language. And even though I live and travel around the world, I will always know that my heart and home is in Estonia.
I am a Russian engineer, was in the process of relocation to Estonia with the family after getting a job offer in early February 2022. Then war started and visa got cancelled. Before that it was all my life plan to move to the Baltics. Now, not sure if it will be safe even in the future.
Хочешь ходить и извиняться перед всеми и каяться за то что ты Русский? Эстония это одна из самых русофобских стран, лучше места не нашел?
That will to a large degree depends on what kind of a russian migrant you are going to be.
Are you protesting in the streets right now? You kept choosing some kgb fck all your life and got what you wanted. Now deal with it!
Just like any other migrant, if you show respect to the country you move in, learn the language and be part of society, then all is fine and natives will support you.
Otherwise, if you're there to live better and don't care about local culture then most likely it will be time to move on (rather move back where you came from)
@@torehaaland6921 for every immigrant it's the same.They will treat you like a slave,use you to the max and say that you should be thankfull that you are there in the first place.
German here. Riga is a beautiful city, but I was surprised at how many people spoke Russian.
Wish all the best to the Latvian people. Very proud of you Baltic States as a EU citizen ❤
I'm very sorry you had to endure that, master. I will do my best to discipline my inferior mind and not speak any Russian when there's a chance it can be overheard by someone. And demand the same from everyone I know.
@@MalfunctioningAndroid yes please do that
@@MalfunctioningAndroid that’s a little over the top. Come come now.
8:28 this is incorrect. Had the Baltic states refused, there would have been war. The ultimatums were unfortunately accepted by the Baltic states, who saw no other options.
greetings from the frontline in Ukraine. Thank you for your support. I have no idea how we will ever repay you for that.
The comment wherein Putin said the fall of the soviet was a tragedy, he was referring to how quickly, and hence uncontrolled, the dissolution was, not specifically that it had occurred. He also said, as part of that statement, that it could never be rebuilt, and only a fool would attempt it. So, theres that.
I remember how shocked I was to hear so much russian when I first visited Latvia in 2017. Being from Czechia and growing up in the 90’s meant a very strong negative associatons with the russian language and I couldn’t wrap my head around how the Latvians don’t mind using russian as their daily language. On one hand I admired the locals who had told me that they learned to live in peace with the russian minority but I am still really happy to see the shift in their mentality. It takes a lot of courage to take steps like that but you can’t be a confident nation when half the population doesn’t speak your native language.
"how the Latvians don’t mind using russian as their daily language." Ou we do and always have. What you where hearing in likely Rīga was russijans speaking russijan.
"I am still really happy to see the shift in their mentality." Its not enough! A matter of the nations survival of the nation is the need to deport the 300 000 russijans (and their desendants) that Hruščov sent here to genocide us. With 30% of the marriges in the country being mixed its now or never, and never means our exctinction.
So you couldn't wrap your head around why 64% of Latvian speaking Latvians don't hate other 36% of Russian-speaking Latvians? Or why the Russian-speaking minority (is it still minority when it's 36%) is speaking their mother tongue? Meaning you thought that hating on minority speaking other language is an ok thing to do in the first place? The amount and scale of racist shit I read on the internet nowadays is pretty amazing.
@@Jamert calm down Kirill. You are putting words in my mouth that I never said. I was just describing my personal experience in my own country in contrast to what I saw in Latvia couple years ago. And I stand by my words. I see it very positively that in today’s political climate Latvians decided to be more confident as a nation. I didn’t say a word about hating a minority. Believe it or not, I myself have friend amongst Russians. And I believe that like everywhere in the world there are good and bad people in Russia. It is however unfortunate that most Russians choose to be blind to the reality that we live in. But again, I live in a different reality so I cannot judge.
@@Jamert They arent russijans speaking latvians, They are russijan speaking russijans!
They where sent here by Hruščov to genocide us and we must send them back or the nation will go extinct in 75 years.
Ou and latvieši and russijans are bough of the same europian race. This is not about race, this is about nationality.
I dont care what they speak, they need to go
@@Jamert First you got your numbers wrong, there are no 36%, some 25% Russian speaking (ethnic Russians and others together). That does not mean that they all cannot speak in Latvian, a lot of them can. No real data how many can not, an educated guess some 1/3 max. And, yes, we on average are not thrilled to speak in Russian unless with some tourists and other non-locals. Because why the hell I should try to remember the grammar etc. of totally different language of a foreign country while I'm at my home.
A FINE presentation! Excellent information presented with flair and professionalism..this is how it should always be done! Subbed! x
I enjoyed your documentary.
I visited the brave Baltic nations in 1994, witnessing the tearful withdrawal of Russian troops from Riga central train station, and have just returned from travelling through them for only my second time. From the excitement and struggles of the early 90s they are now beautiful, fully formed, countries, living the life they want to live. It's unimaginable that their menacing neighbour could ever touch them again. Ukraine, which I had the privilege of visiting in 2012, though now being devastated by their once sister-nation, will surely soon join the league of successful, peaceful, nations that have been evolving throughout Europe during the last 30 years. The sooner the better.
I'm living in Latvia for more than 20 years and have observed all historical events in Riga during that time. Have also observed recent trends to force assimilation of ethnic Russians. Probably will take a generation as you mentioned. Anyway, the presentation was comprehensive and informative - really enjoyed it! Paldies!
tieši tā. notiek derusifikācijas specoperācija pēdējā laikā.
Latvia will soon be part of Russia again. NATO will go down the tubes soon.
As a Hungarian, having to suffer under our pro-Putin autocrat, I admire and envy the Baltic states.
How is he pro putin? Hungary has imposed sanctions on Russia AND sheltered hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees.
It is nice who these countries are against Russian regimme but not their russophobia towards own population. But I think there are schools with Hungarian language in countries with signicifant Hungarian minorities. And it is usual in Europe countries support culture of minorities. If the children don't know the official language they can't be educated in. It was condemned children in Slovakia were in the 19th century taught in Hungarian because such education had no sense, the children learned only to pray in Hungarian. If Estonia and Latvia want to respect European values they should allow education and other activities in Russian as well. Unfortunately, there are many people in the Czech Republic who take inspiration from Hungary in its politics toward Russia and solution of economic problems.
This is one of the best composed and informative RUclips videos I have ever seen.
Kudos to you...
nice :) thank you
Thank you for support, dear Latvians. Love you all. Greetings from Ukraine!
Why so many in the Baltics are Russian is a result of centuries of colonization. It could be argued that Russia is the last colonial empire existing.
It is. Russia just did not arrive by sea bc their targets were right next to them. But Russia and the USSR are often ignored in this context.
Ever since Latvia dropped the laws for de-russification, I have always felt discomfort from the country. Since I am half Latvian half Russian, I never knew wut side to choose since I both love the two countries (and Ukraine as well).
Salute to Latvia & the rest of those who are fighting for democracy and against atrocities
In Ukraine there was exactly the same about schools. The rule about teaching in Ukrainian was just ignored by local Russified teachers in some regions. Such things happen even now during the war. I talk about schools with Ukrainian language of instructions. There are schools with Russian language of instructions as well.
I am part Lithuanian and part American, I have to tell students in 2019 in America who made Soviet Union jokes I tell them not make those jokes because what happened wasn’t funny what happened to Lithuania, Estonia or Latvia. I know they may not understand then but now I hope they now understand why I was like that, they have a better understanding of why I was like that.
Atmostas Baltija - send all my love and power from Switzerland
Thank you for this wonderful insight into Latvia. As an Australian we learn little about east European countries. But I'm having a 6 month European vacation in 2025 and I'm adding Latvia to my list of places to see. I wish Latvia all health and happiness in your future endeavours.
Amazing video! Greetings from Lithuania! ❤🇱🇹🇱🇻🇺🇦
Thanks for watching:)
Hitler said the same as Putin concerning the Germans in Sudetenland.