Other events in Baltic States

The traditional WWII Victory Day events will once again take place at Riga's Victory Park by the Victory Monument today, informs LETA.

Just as last year, the events will feature concerts, speeches and other activities. Participants in the event will lay flowers at the Monument to Soviet Soldiers and express gratitude to the surviving World War II veterans.

According to information the website of the event's organizers "9may.lv", Riga City Council member Vadims Baranniks (Harmony Center) is the organization's executive director. Last year, Riga City Council member Svetlana Savicka (Harmony Center) was also mentioned at the website as one of the association's leaders, and Riga Mayor Nils Usakovs (Harmony Center) as a board member.

Also, the "Procession of Latvia's Russians" will be organized by the "Rodina" organization in the evening when about 100 people will march from the Riflemen Square in Riga's Old Town to Victory Park.

May 9 is one of two highly controversial days in Latvia – the other being March 16 Latvian Legion Day – that polarize society. For instance, Defense Minister Artis Pabriks (Unity) said last year for most people participating in May 9 celebrations, the main reason was not to pay homage to victims of the war but to emphasize that they "belong to a geopolitical area that ceased to exist twenty years ago."

Likewise, Culture Minister Zaneta Jaunzeme-Grende (All For Latvia!-For Fatherland And Freedom/LNNK) said Latvian citizens never perceived May 9 as a "victory" – because to them it meant incorporation of Latvia into the Soviet Union – but as a day when a totalitarian empire was being glorified and anti-Latvian organizations were meeting in full view.

Latvia also marks Europe Day with a number of various events today.

63 years ago on May 9, then French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman proposed the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community, the forerunner of what is now the European Union.

Several events are taking place at the European Commission Representation in Latvia today, including events for kids and families, a discussion on senior citizens in Latvia and Europe, and a seminar on opportunities that the EU offers to young people.

From 12 noon to 2 p.m., Rigans and guests of the city will be offered to taste traditional Hungarian, Slovakian, Danish, Finnish, Spanish and other EU member states' cuisine at the Latvian National Opera Square. Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis (Unity) will open the event, it will also be attended by representatives from the Foreign Ministry, European Commission Representation in Latvia and European Parliament members Inese Vaidere (Unity) and Karlis Sadurskis (Unity).

For the first time, all schools in Latvia have been invited to participate in the Europe Day celebrations today.