Latvia plans to decommunize the names of streets and towns
Latvian Minister of Culture Nauris Puntulis called on the Saeima to resume consideration of a bill to rename streets and settlements named during the Soviet occupation. The initiative was previously supported by former President Egils Levits, and a corresponding proposal has already been submitted to the Committee on Education, Culture, and Science.
The bill aims to remove place names associated with the communist regime and Russification (for example, Pioneer, Maskavas, and October Streets, as well as the settlements of Kholodnye Ruchyi and Tikhaya Pristan), in order to strengthen Latvian identity. An updated list of Soviet-era names was prepared by the non-governmental organization “Center for Public Memory” and has already been submitted to parliament for consideration.
Agnes Varpina, an advisor to the minister, reported this to the LETA news agency.
In Latvia, security has been stepped up at many critical infrastructure sites. Areas are being patrolled more frequently, and additional training sessions are being held for employees. These measures are related to the risks of reconnaissance and possible sabotage by Russian intelligence services.
Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže spent part of the night in a shelter during the massive Russian attack on Kyiv on August 5.
