Baltic States – CIS, Culture, Forum, Latvia, Legislation, Russia

Speaking at a press conference, Medinsky explained that no meeting was scheduled with his counterpart Dace Melbarde because his visit is "partly private”, and spontaneous. Asked why Riga now, the minister pointed to the "Golden Mask in Latvia” Festival and the 70th anniversary since Riga’s liberation from fascism.

As for Latvian cultural heritage, Medinsky mentioned having read every work by [Latvian novelist] Vilis Lacis because they belonged also to the Russian and international pantheon.

Medinsky said that he feels like home in Riga – everyone speaks Russian with smiling faces. He commented "culture is of great help in the situation – despite politics.”

The Russian Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky's recent visit to Latvia was a private visit, and that is how his statements should be interpreted too, the Foreign Ministry's press secretary Karlis Eihenbaums told LETA.

While in Latvia, Medinsky did not meet with any Latvian officials, however, his Riga trip is understandable as Riga is the European Capital of Culture this year, whereas Medinsky is the minister of culture in a neighbor country of Latvia.

Some of the statements made by Medinsky during the visit obviously showed his knowledge – or the lack thereof – of the literature and culture of Latvia, added Eihenbaums.

While in Riga, Medinsky participated in the unveiling of a plaque at a building where Soviet writer Valentin Pikul used to live. The writer's widow Antonina Pikul, Russian Ambassador to Latvia Alexander Veshnyakov, and representatives from the Riga City Council also participated in the ceremony.

Later on, Medinsky said in an interview with TASS agency that the international pop music festival "New Wave" could soon move from Jurmala to someplace in Russia due to Latvian Foreign Ministry's decision to ban three Russian pop stars from traveling to Latvia.

Medinsky also said that the staging of a musical about Herberts Cukurs was a "major artistic failure".