For a few years, I wished to go to the Baltic international locations. Three small international locations lastly gained independence from the previous Soviet Union in 1991.
Residing in Sweden thirty-five years in the past, I accompanied the oldest son in sixth grade to Tallinn, Estonia, shortly after the liberation. The number of meals was scarce, and all the things appeared poor. In spite of everything these years of independence, I’m positive the dwelling normal has risen.
Final 12 months, at a Half Marathon race in Copenhagen, I seen a younger man in a Nationwide Latvian outfit handing out postcards with invites to run a half marathon in Riga in October 2023.
From the beginning space within the Outdated Metropolis of Riga
I used to be excited to lastly take the possibility to see one other capital metropolis in a Baltic nation. Having come residence to Denmark, I’m nonetheless excessive from all of the impressions.
Latvia has a extremely complicated historical past. Germans, Swedes, Poles, The Russian Empire, the Nazies and the Soviet Union have dominated them. They lastly gained independence after the First World Conflict, solely to lose it once more earlier than the Second World Conflict.The previous metropolis of Riga is from the Center Ages and has buildings from totally different durations and kinds. Some have been destroyed through the Second World Conflict and rebuilt of their former splendour. A number of parks and canals reduce by means of the previous metropolis, including to the sweetness.Unforgettable have been the conversations we had with Latvian individuals. They have been extremely educated in language and tradition, historical past and artwork and nonetheless humble and sincere concerning the darkish sides of their historical past.
Many highway reparations occurred within the interior metropolis, however many home facades a bit additional out have been worn and look unattended by means of the final hundred years.
We felt secure in every single place within the metropolis and on public transportation. Musicians have been performing within the streets and underground passages, amassing some cash.
A view from St. Peter’s church in Riga
The cardboard that invited me to Roga
