I really like this monument in Riga, but try as I might, I haven’t been able to find out a huge amount about it. It stands outside the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia in Riga’s old town.
Soviet-era Riflemen monument
The museum building was originally built as a museum to the Red Latvian Riflemen, who are commemorated by this statue. Despite being a statue to honour the riflemen, it feels more like a monument to mark the oppression of the Soviet state. It’s a very tall, very bold and formidable monument. Yet I do really like it – the cubism-feel to it gives it a nice edge, and I think it serves as a good reminder of forced Sovietisation of Latvia, though this is definitely not what was intended.
Soviet-era Riflemen monument in Riga
That is quite a monument! I get to Riga tomorrow, so I’ll look out for it!
It’s easy to spot – right by the Occupation Museum! There’s some more tips on things to do in Riga here: http://continentalbreakfasttravel.wordpress.com/2013/06/12/tallinn-riga-vilnius-a-beginners-guide-to-the-baltic-states/