Come join "TheCeļotājs" visit to The Museum of the Occupation of Latvia 1940--1991 located at Strēlnieku laukums 1. The Museum's goal is to portray life of Latvia and Latvians during the three occupation periods. The items in the exhibition tell about Latvia during the more than fifty year long subjugation: about power politics, about Soviet and Nazi terror, about the destruction of Latvia's economy, about Soviet and Nazi totalitarian ideologies, about the opposition to the regimes, and finally, about how the Latvian nation regained its freedom in 1991. The first section of the exhibit documents the events that led to Latvia's occupation: the Soviet and Nazi pact, finalized on 23 August 1939 by Molotov and Ribbentrop, which divided East Europe into Soviet and Nazi spheres of influence. The exhibition continues as visitors follow the events of the first Soviet occupation "1940-1941", followed by the Nazi occupation period "1941-1944/45", and finally, the second Soviet occupation "1944/45-1991". The exhibit concludes with documentation of the peoples' struggle to renew their independence in the late 1980's and the reclaiming of sovereignty in 1991. Also in the exhibition is a tribute to the Latvians who lived outside of Latvia during the occupation "during World War II approximately 200 000 Latvians fled West to escape the renewed terror of the Soviet regime, of which approximately 120 000 remained abroad", their cultural life and their contribution to the struggle for an independent Latvia. "The Black Threshold" Located at Brīvības iela 61 you will find the Melnais slieksnis "The Black Threshold" installed at the side of Stūra māja "The Corner House", the Headquarters of the Soviet Security institutions, on 14 June 2003 by the Museum of Occupation of Latvia is a memorial to the martyrs of the Soviet occupation. The memorial consists of a half-open steel door and a plaque. By the author Gļeb Pantelejev: "With time all secrets become known. It is human nature to expose secrets, especially if the secret of much suffering. Behind the Chekha door we are confronted by a black wall - the monolith of inconceivable suffering - unknowable or understandable. For future generations it will not be the abode of the Chekha. It will be history. Our duty is to leave a message that is not self-serving, a missive that is an antidote against the recurrence of similar tragedy. Our successors must not only know but they must emphasize." Location Hours Open Admission The Museum of the Occupation of Latvia 1940--1991 Latvijas Okupācijas muzejs, Strēlnieku laukums 1 Rīga, LV-1050, Latvija Phone: +371 67212715 Fax +371 67229255 For Group Reservations: +371 67211030 Audio guide available in Latvian, English and German -- 2 LVL Guided tour -- 2 LVL per person "Price for guided tour starting from 8 LVL; 50% discount for students" Museum Email omf@latnet.lv Museum Web Site: www.omf.lv/index.php?lang=english Hours Open: January: 11:00 to 17:00 - Closed Mondays Closed January 1 February: 11:00 to 17:00 - Closed Mondays March: 11:00 to 17:00 - Closed Mondays April: 11:00 to 17:00 - Closed Mondays May: 11:00 to 18:00 June: 11:00 to 18:00 - On June 23 till 3 PM. Closed on 24 July: 11:00 to 18:00 August: 11:00 to 18:00 September: 11:00 to 18:00 October: 11:00 to 17:00 - Closed Mondays November: 11:00 to 17:00 - Closed Mondays December: 11:00 to 17:00 - Closed Mondays Closed on 24, 25, 27, 31 of December and 1 of January Entrance by Donation

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