Other events in Baltic States

Several hundred persons gathered by the Freedom Monument this morning to watch the flower laying ceremony in honor of Independence Day in Riga, informs LETA.

The state's top officials participated in the flower laying ceremony – President Andris Berzins, Saeima Speaker Inara Murniece, Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma, MPs, ministers as well as Riga Mayor Nils Usakovs and many others. After the officials laid their flowers at the base of the monument, residents were given the opportunity to do the same.

As LETA observed, one official went to lay down flowers at the base of the monument with a Ukrainian flag in his hand.

The event was observed by hundreds or residents, both young and old, as well as many families. People were holding Latvian flags in their hands, and laid down flowers mostly in the color of the Latvian flag – red and white.

After the ceremony, many officials stayed behind to chat with local residents.

As reported, multiple events were taking place all over Latvia to mark the 96th Independence Day of the country; in Riga, there was the traditional flower-laying ceremony, National Armed Forces' military parade, a ceremonious event at the Freedom Monument, various concerts, and fireworks display at the Daugava Embankment in the evening, as the Riga City Council informed LETA.