Other events in Baltic States

WWII Victory Day will be a two-day celebration this year in Riga, as the "9.maijs.lv" NGO informed LETA.

The organization's leader, Riga city councilman Vadims Baranniks (Harmony Center), commented: "In Europe, victory in WWII is marked May 8, in Russia – May 9. Here, in Riga, the 65th anniversary will be celebrated both days."

At the foot of massive Riga Pardaugava Victory Monument on May, a concert will be held from 2 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. with many performers, including the "Verasi" ensemble from Belarus and Latvian singer Ainars Mielavs.

At the monument May 9, the all-day event will start at 9 a.m. with big screens up to watch the proceedings live from Moscow's Red Square. Placing of bouquets of flowers at the foot will begin at 10 a.m. with state and municipal officials and foreign diplomats leading the way, including Riga Mayor Nils Usakovs (Harmony Center). The crowd will be entertained all day until 10.30 p.m. when fireworks will light the sky, capping the celebration.

Ugis Vidauskis, press secretary for the Riga city executive, told LETA previously there is no information that would warrant banning any events May 8 or May 9.

The Latvian nationalist party All For Latvia! has canceled its planned anti-demonstration at the Victory Monument, thereby greatly easing decision-making on the events, Vidauskis pointed out.

Instead, All For Latvia! will hold an all-day rally on Town Hall Square May 8 to "draw attention to unresolved issues of Latvia's de-occupation and de-colonization."

Two NGOs scheduled to celebrate WW Victory Day May 8 and May 9 at the Pardaugava monument are "9.maijs.lv" and "Rodina", with about 10,000 people planned.

On May 9, "Rodina" will also hold its traditional march from Riflemen's Square to the monument, with about 150 participants planned.

Victory Day in Latvia is a controversial holiday, as most Russian speakers in Latvia see it as the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, whilst most Latvians see this day as ''Occupation Day'' of sorts, as one repressive regime (Nazi Germany) in Latvia was replaced by another repressive regime (the Soviet Union) during World War II.