Memory of the Holocaust in Riga

The twentieth century left deep scars in the history of Latvia. One of them is the tragic fate of the Jews during the fascist occupation.

The repression and mass murder of Jews began immediately after the invasion of Nazi Germany. Jews were separated from their fellow citizens, expelled from their homes, imprisoned in ghettos, and within six months in most of the settlements in Latvia were completely exterminated. More than 70,000 Latvian Jews and 20,000 Jews brought from Western Europe were killed, shot and burned alive by the Nazis and local collaborators. The Holocaust is a tragedy for humanity and these crimes have no statute of limitations. Jewish historian Yehuda Bauer wrote, “The memory of the Holocaust is necessary so that our children are not victims, executioners, or indifferent observers.”

The objects of our excursion will be memorable places inextricably linked with the reminder of the tragedy of the Jews during the Second World War. We will see the memorial on the site of the Great Choral Synagogue burned together with the people in Riga. Visit the ghetto museum, which preserves the memory of the victims of the Holocaust. Let us pay tribute to the memory of those killed in the Rumbal and Bikerniek forests, the sites of mass shooting of Jews. Let us remember that in addition to those who should be ashamed, who helped the Nazis and were involved in all the horrors of the Holocaust, there were those among the Latvian people who we can rightly be proud of, that is, who saved people from destruction. Among them, Janis Lipke saved 56 Jews from death during the German occupation in Riga. Jewish wisdom says, “He who saves one soul saves the whole world.”

We must not forget the past and fight against the manifestation of enmity and incitement of ethnic hatred, for “He who does not remember his past is doomed to relive it.” – George Santoyan

If you wish, you can visit the Salaspils Memorial to the Victims of Fascism. In this case, the price is contractual.

• Guide services

Transportation costs are not included in the cost.