Declaration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia

Laying flowers at the Freedom MonumentMay 4 is the Day of Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia. On this day, in 1990, the Supreme Soviet of the Latvian SSR (the highest legislative institution in occupied Latvia) passed the Declaration on the Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia and appointed a transit period until full independence was restored.

Every year on May 4, a cultural program is held in Riga, in which every Latvian citizen can take part directly. Photo exhibitions are organized on the Embankment on November 11, concerts with the participation of choirs and performers of modern music. In 2007, a marathon of documentaries and animated films for children and adults was held in the new Riga cinema hall.

At the Freedom Monument, a flower-laying ceremony is held, which this year was accompanied by a concert of the Ave sol choir and the Riga and Auseklītis orchestras.

The festive day ends with a salute on the Embankment on November 11.