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Gunārs Astra’s “crimes”
Astra corresponded with Latvians living abroad, listened to foreign radio, and expressed dissatisfaction among colleagues and acquaintances about the Russification of Latvia and the problems of the USSR, as well as from 1958 to 1959. met with US diplomats in. He was arrested and sentenced in 1961 to 15 years for such “sins”. Astra was accused of “treason” or contact with foreigners and “anti-Soviet agitation and propaganda” in connection with his negative views on the Russification of Latvia and statements about USSR officials.
In 1983, Gunārs Astra was arrested and tried for storing, reproducing and distributing “anti-Soviet” literature. What was this literature like? Now we can buy it freely – George Orwell’s “1984”, Anšlavs Eglītis’ “Happy”, Uldis Germanis’ “Latvian People’s Adventures”, Matisa Kaudzite’s “New Surveyors’ Times”, Alexander Solzhenitsyn’s “GULAG Archipelago” and other books, many literary classics .
So Astra’s “crimes” were actions that everyone in Latvia can afford. Everyone can read the literature they like, listen to the radio, meet what they want, or express their opinion even very harshly – without fear of repression, because we live in a free, democratic country. But Astra was a brave dissident because she lived in conditions where there was no freedom. He was one of the very few who openly opposed the Soviet regime and allowed himself to point out loudly the criminal actions of the USSR in our country. Astra’s words strengthened Latvians and helped them not give up, although very few learned about his views at once.
Unyielding in times of fear, lie and persecution
Shortly after Latvia’s accession to the European Union in 2004, I nominated Gunārs Astra for the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. At that time, I explained to the MEPs the occupation of Latvia and the ensuing totalitarianism, Astra’s convictions and courageous choices, and the trial of dissidents. I argue that the nomination of Astra for the Sakharov Prize would also be a tribute to the hundreds of thousands of people who sacrificed their lives and lives for freedom and expression, not only in Latvia but throughout Central and Eastern Europe, against human rights and communism. We were heard at the time, but it was decided to award the prize to the still living freedom fighters. Our efforts were not in vain, because in this way many learned about the real life of the communist regime and its dissidents.
Foreign colleagues were shocked by the atmosphere of fear, lies and persecution in the Soviet Union. It was a time when parents in families were forced to hide their conversations from their children so that they would not inadvertently bother and subject the family to repression. When in their circle, what was said quietly had to be hidden from the public. When you had to be afraid, is there a “stucco” or an KGB agent among your co-workers, and if so, who? When even in dreams there was no possibility that the USSR could collapse and Latvia could be a free state again. It was in these circumstances that Gunārs Astra dared to believe that all this would fade like an evil nightmare, and opposed the repressive regime, despite the loss of personal freedom and constant persecution.
The evil nightmare is gone
Astra’s unwavering conviction came true: our nation endured the dark Soviet era, and if the regime had not killed Astra, it would have celebrated its 90th anniversary in a free country. Latvia broke the shackles of the Soviet regime and its absurd control not only over people’s actions, but even their thoughts. Our country is now one of the freest in the world – despite many challenges, we have been given a variety of rights and opportunities to express ourselves, to influence, to do business, to travel and to live one’s personal life. The evil nightmare is gone, and we must appreciate it.
That is why the nostalgia of some individuals for the Soviet regime is so sad, because, you see, back then everything was “for free”, but now – everything has to be paid for, everything is “decayed”. Instead, it is worth listening to the assessment of the notable dissident Lidija Dororo-Lasmane that “Latvia has never done so well”. There is no doubt that, after 14 years in the prisons and gulags of the Soviet regime, which failed to break the power of her spirit, we must listen to the words of the dissident. Memories of the Soviet repressive strangles on freedom and Latvianness remind us that we still live in bright times, despite the current problems.
We must maintain the memory of the great freedom fighter
Astra made his last statement in court on 15 December 1983. It is known that on December 15 this year in Riga, Brīvības Street 34, in the square opposite the Riga Regional Court building, the Ministry of Justice with the support of the Saeima plans to unveil a monument to Gunārs Astra, created by a sculptor Gleb Panteleev with the motto “Do not be afraid!”. The idea of a monument to Astra at the former Supreme Court building came to me twenty years ago, when I was a deputy of the Riga City Council and also worked in the Council of Monuments of the Riga City Council. This initiative was launched and even funded for the competition. However, when I finished working in the Council, my successors, who now represent the Harmony Party, ignored this incorporation. Later, in cooperation with Gunārs’ eldest brother Harry Astra, we tried to actualize the idea of creating a monument in Independence Square in Old Riga. However, I am also really pleased that on the 90th anniversary of Gunārs Astra, my original idea of a monument to his homage to the Regional Court will finally come true.
We contacted Harry regularly, both in connection with the idea of the monument and other Gunārs Astra memorial initiatives. For many years I supported the literary-scientific competition “Letter to Gunārs Astra” organized by “Daugavas Vanagi“in cooperation with the World Association of Free Latvians, the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, the State Archives of Latvia and others. Students and young people submitted literary works dedicated to Gunārs Astra in the form of a letter. Later Astra. And others”.
Gunnar’s brother Harry Astra suffered an incomprehensibly tragic fate. In March 2019, I received his letter, which turned out to be the last. “Thank you again for taking care of preserving the memory of the most prominent activists of the rebirth and prenatal time,” I read when everyone was horrified: a robber had killed Harry and his wife Marta in Vandzene Parish, Talsi District, for just over 1,000 euros.
Today we commemorate the outstanding freedom fighter Gunārs Astra, with whom Latvia can be really proud. His work deserves the deepest respect, because Astra embodied what is so necessary for every Latvian – sharpness of mind, strict character, as well as pride and love for his country and people. Thanks in large part to Astra and others like him, Latvia is free today. We have returned to our rightful place – the European Union, among the most developed countries in the world. Let’s maintain the memory of Gunārs Astra, appreciate and use our freedom!
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