Re-storying the Victory Square in Riga (ReVi)

Project title in Latvian: Rīgas Uzvaras laukuma pārstāstīšana (ReVi)

Project title in English: Re-storying the Victory Square in Riga (ReVi)

Project leader: prof. Vita Zelče

Implementation period: 01.01.2024. – 31.12.2026.

Funding: 300 000 EUR

Funder: Latvian Council of Science (Fundamental and Applied Research Projects)

Research group: doc. Laura Ardava-Āboliņa, master’s student Evelīna Kukarela, emeritus prof. Skaidrīte Lasmane, assoc. prof. Sergii Pakhomenko, lect. Roberts Vīksne, prof. Vita Zelče, assoc. prof. Marita Zitmane.

At the center of this scientific project is one of the most controversial sites in the capital of the Republic of Latvia, Riga – Victory Square, where until 25 August 2022 stood the monument erected in 1985 to the Soviet Latvian and Riga liberators from the German fascist invaders.

Project aim is to “re-narrate” Victory Square by generating detailed new knowledge about the history of this site and contemporary discourse surrounding it, thereby contributing to security, strengthening democracy, and promoting universal human values. The theoretical framework of the project draws on approaches related to re-narration, the texture of memory, and media/narrative theory.

The implementation of the research will involve the study of archival documents, printed and handwritten textual sources, as well as visual materials and other historical evidence. A representative survey of Latvian residents will be carried out, along with several targeted thematic surveys of specific groups both online and in person. Researchers will also conduct participatory and non-participatory observations, interviews, and media representation analyses.