The Latvian people have embraced their independence by ensuring that the new generations of Estonians have a fine education (eg. they learn a second language from kindergaten onwards) and by ensuring that the hardships endured by the older generations are not forgotten. These 3 portraits are examples of a much larger collection which highlights the individual experiences of Baltic people who survived "relocation" with their families to the Siberian Gulags. Each person is shown with an item which holds special significance to them and their story is outlined below their portrait. It is a very moving experience to walk the length of this gallery.
I've been through several Holocaust museums and I'm sure reading about these people is similar to the stories one sees in those. Very moving and sometimes unfathomable what they endured. And to think there are those that claim all this was just made up! Beautiful portraits.
Like @olivetreeann I've been through several Holocaust memorial sites and the photo are always very moving. So good to see a similar memorial to those who suffered the Stalinist horrors.
@golftragic Hi Marnie - the actual number of people involved was just as horrifying as what was done to each individual or family. 3 months after the Nazis took over Riga in the Second World War, in one day, they rounded up 25,000 people (mainly jews) and took them out into the forest and shot them all! Unbelievable.
@robz Absolutely unbelievable Rob, and totally evil. According to what I've read many of the SS troops involved were drinking heavily to keep them going. Some of the perpetrators of these atrocities were badly mentally affected too. Not that I have a shred of sympathy for them, mind you. Absolute evil.
September 30th, 2018
Leave a Comment
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.
