We Invite Schools to a Participate in a Lesson on the Events of January 1991

At this time when we remember the Barricades, the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia invites schools to the museum for a free lesson on the events of January 1991. In the lesson ‘Barricades. 20 January 1991’ pupils will gain an understanding of this period from the section of the museum’s exhibition relating to the Latvian National awakening. The pupils will then watch a fragment of the film “Father’s Barricades” about the shootings at the Ministry of the interior and go for a short excursion to Bastejkalns.

Raiņa Bulvāris, where the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia is currently located, was the Riga transport prosecutor’s, of the Baltic Transport Prosecutor, offices in 1991. On 20 January Soviet OMON forces attacked the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Latvia, which was located in the next building, on Reimersa iela. The traces of the shootings could be seen by the bullet holes in the walls of the building. Several people lost their lives as a result of the shooting - E. Riekstiņš, V. Gomonovičs, S. Konoņenko, camera operator A. Slapiņš and G. Zvaigzne (injured, died on 5 February). Memorial stones are place around Bastejkalns to remember these people.

All school children in Latvia can participate for free, and the museum’s School Support Program provides financial support to cover transport costs to schools in regions far from Riga.

Lessons are also available to school children and students from outside Latvia with a 50% discount.

Lessons must be booked in advance by calling 67211030 or by email: ip@omf.lv.