The light procession will lead through the sites of the War of Independence in Pārdaugava

On the eve of Lāčplēsis Day, soldiers who fought for Latvia’s freedom more than 100 years ago will be honored in Pārdaugava. On Tuesday, November 3, everyone is invited to join the memorial event and the light procession “Let us light a flame for those who defended Latvia,” dedicated to the important Battle of Vīķi Inn during the War of Independence.

Participants in the memorial event are invited to gather at 4:45 p.m. at Bumbu kalniņš, where the Latgale Division command post of the Latvian Army was located during the War of Independence. At 5:00 p.m., the ceremonial light procession will begin along the historic battle trail, and at 6:00 p.m. a moment of remembrance will be held by the monument to the soldiers of the 8th Daugavpils Infantry Regiment.

Members of the National Armed Forces, Home Guard members, Young Guards, schoolchildren, local residents, and every patriot of Latvia are invited to take part in the event. Organizers invite participants to bring torches, candles, and red-and-white flowers.

The Battle of Vīķi Inn on November 3, 1919, was one of the decisive events during the Bermontiade. Soldiers of the 8th Daugavpils Infantry Regiment of the Latvian Army, together with other units and with support from the allied fleet, launched an attack from the dunes of Bolderāja, breaking through the front of Bermondt-Avalov’s forces. This victory opened the way for the liberation of Riga on November 11 and became an important turning point in the struggle for Latvia’s independence.

For courage and self-sacrifice in the Battle of Vīķi Inn, 36 Latvian soldiers were awarded the Lāčplēsis War Order. In their memory, a memorial site was created at the place where Vīķi Inn once stood. Its history began as early as 1938, when a memorial grove was planted for the fallen and wounded soldiers and the cornerstone was laid for the future monument. Although the plan was interrupted during the occupation years, the site’s historical significance has not been lost.

Thanks to cooperation between the descendants of the Lāčplēsis War Order recipients, history enthusiasts, the National Armed Forces, and the Riga Municipality, the historic memorial site has been restored. Last May, a monument to the battles of the 8th Daugavpils Infantry Regiment, created by sculptor Pauls Jaunzems, was unveiled at the former Vīķi Inn.

For several years, Home Guard members and soldiers of the 1st Riga Brigade have regularly taken part in maintaining the memorial site, keeping the trails, dune forest, and memorial grove in order. The memorial site was fully completed with the support of the Riga Municipality, with the Riga Monuments Agency restoring the stairs and installing an information stand.