The Museum Hosts the Opening of Timothy Snyder’s Book “On Tyranny”

On Monday, 16 October, the museum held a book opening for the translation of famous American historian Timothy Snyder's book “On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century.” The author himself attended and made a speech after some introductory word from Valters Nollendorfs, the Chairman of the Board of the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia Association.

In "On Tyranny" Timothy Snyder shows, with examples from the history of the last century, that a state's democratic system by itself does not guarantee a good and just life for society. He explains that democracy only works for the benefit of the public when each individual member is prepared to respond to any dangers against it. The author answered questions from the audience including, when asked, giving his opinion on the ideas of Francis Fukuyama in “The End of History and the Last Man.” He thinks they are incorrect, saying that history does not end, and that, as a modern society, we are capable of moving in the right direction.

The book was translated into Latvian by Ieva Lešinska, and published by “Jumava.” It can be purchased in our museum bookshop, on the second floor of the museum.