Virtual exhibition “30 Years Since the Barricades “

In honor of the Third National Awakening of Latvia, Ludza Regional Studies Museum is offering a virtual exhibition “30 Years Since the Barricades “.

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A.Gorbunovs pēc Neatkarības deklarācijas pasludināšanas 1990.gada 4.maijā, A.Budringa foto

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Memoires of the barricades’ participants:

“At that time, we had one goal – Latvia’s independence. We “fought” for our flag, our anthem. We left for Riga on January 15, 1991 – there were people from the whole Ludza district – Ludza, Cibla, Kārsava – everyone! The soul was also warmed by the fact that J. Buļs, the dean of the Ludza Roman Catholic Church, accompanied everyone to the barricades – blessed the participants of the barricades and gave us a medallion with the image of Mother Mary. In Riga, people from Ludza district got located on Zaķusala near the Television. At that time, no one thought specifically about themselves, about their lives. We were completely unarmed. There were no weapons! But we were ready to hold fast – no one went to Riga to receive any award. It was people’s conviction. I couldn’t not go! You have to praise those bosses who let their employees to go to the barricades. As far as I’m aware, people could go for a day or for a week, that didn’t matter. All the while we were in the barricades, people shared hot coffee and tea, bread and even their own knitted gloves. People were very sympathetic.”

(Pēteris Jezupovs)

“In 1991 I studied in the Latvia University of Agriculture. After learning about the events in Riga, together with my roommates and girlfriend Solvita Dāldere (now wife), we decided to go to Riga to take part in a protest demonstration organized by the Latvian People’s Front. First of all, we had to go to the student base of Riga Technical University, where all the participants of the barricades were registered and each was given a gas mask (this is what Jānis has given to the museum as a testimony of the time). We were on duty at night, we went back to Jelgava during the day to attend lectures. Teachers treated students who took part in the barricades with special respect, were often forgiven for missing homework or tests – especially if they felt that the student smelled of bonfire smoke. The worst were the nights of January 14 and 17, when the OMON special forces attacked us. The unity and solidarity of the people gave a positive emotional feeling during the Barricades. No distinction was made between rich and poor, old or young…”

(Jānis Ivulāns, Ludza businessman)

“Since then, the unique unity and the indescribable feeling of the shoulder have been best remembered. I remember being at the Zaķusala television studio when the first OMON victim, driver Mūrnieks, was buried. Sirens started sounding in the middle of the day, we found out what was going on via the radio. Everyone got up as one, took off their hats, there was a heartfelt moment of silence.”

(Jānis MIKAŽĀNS, from Ludza)

I am proud to have been at the barricades. The spirit of unity was etched into my mind the most. There were about 20 men from Ludza altogether. I myself went three times. At that time, there was one for all, all for one. We realized that we are all a nation that holds together. I remember there was a man called E. Lurāns, he worked in a museum, he spent almost all his time in Riga. There were rumors that we will be paid for going – funny! Like I said, I was in the barricades and would go again if I had to!

(Antons STREĻČS, co-owner of woodworking shop SIA “Zete”)

“Can’t forget that time. It is also impossible to describe the atmosphere of those days. I remember when we went to Riga, we were given a bag from Blonti. While on duty in Zaķusala, we heard on the radio that people standing guard at the radio building had no bread. We immediately arranged a bus and went to the Dome Square to give away the famous bread from the Kirov kolhoz. Back then, everyone was very helpful. One time, Cibla’s music ensemble RAUŠI came with us. They gave a concert at the television tower. There were other musicians from Ludza in Riga, the band FĒNIKSS. I also vividly remember going back home on January 20. When we left Riga, everything was relatively calm. But when we arrived in Ludza, all the housemates were neither alive nor dead clinging to the televisions – shots fired in Riga! It was a shock!.. If I had to, I’d go again! Because, you don’t know how would everything turn out if there were no barricades. I know my children would go too – they know very well what happened then and understand everything.”

(Jānis Kušners, from Ludza)

“I was a student at the University of Medicine at the time. Our First Aid point was located in the then Planetarium. Surgeons on call, anesthesiologists, were provided with basic equipment to perform the simplest operations. We, the students, should have been present if needed. One night we were at Zaķusala TV. Now I remember it as an unreal fairy tale. There was a certain feeling of euphoria all around: elevated mood, astonishment, unity. A stranger could address you, and for a moment it seemed that he was no stranger at all… The blocked streets of Old Riga, the sparks of bonfires on the cold nights of January, the songs – all like a vision.”

(Roberts Vasiljevs, doctor)                  

“As everywhere in Latvia, support groups for the People’s Front appeared in Ludza district. From the very first days, Rita obeyed her heart’s voice and became very active with the People’s Front, acting as the group’s vice president. Rita was elected a delegate to the 1st People’s Front Congress in Riga: “It was an ambitious event inspired by patriotism. As we sang anthem, the walls and floor seemed to sway as all the delegates performed it from the heart. Unfortunately, some of the people at the time thought differently, wanted to live “the old way”, I’d like to say – their places were warm, but most of all profitable”.

(Rita Žuka, Malnava)

“The population was divided – one part on the side of the People’s Front, which I also joined, the other part on the Interfront. The Interfront on our side was really serious. I was elected head of the People’s Front roup. There were no Interfront on our farm, because the Latvian environment was pronounced here and we were mainly engaged in production. When, after the events of January in Vilnius, hot events began to unfold in Riga, where Interfront worked under the direction of A. Rubik and where its “power and art” had demonstrated “OMON”. We all realized that we had to go and rescue the people of Riga. PF activists (9 buses in total) went to Riga from Ludza and Rēzekne. I was responsible for the 20 mechanics and drivers of my farm “Sala”. In Riga, our task was to prevent OMON from occupying the television building, the roads to which were blocked by large KRAZ cars and heavy-duty tractors with heavy loads. I still have that sight in from of my eyes – the whole television building was surrounded by high cement blocks, but the entrance to the building was like a narrow corridor where only people with passes could go. The most critical were the first 2 days. On the third day, when the situation calmed down, some of our members and I went to the building of the Ministry of the Interior, where traces of bullets sent by OMON could be seen on the walls.”

 (Antonijs Žuks, Malnava)

Participants of the barricades from Ludza