Paper short abstract:

Due to existence of two commemoration groups there are some differences among official commemoration days (connected with WWII) and real practices in Latvia. Analysis of factors that have been influenced the content of the official calendar and groups’ chosen commemoration days will be held.

Paper long abstract:

The ideology and politics of two occupation powers in Latvia (Soviet (1940-1941; 1944/45-1991) and Nazi (1941-1944/45)), connected with WWII, have left a notable impact not only to the state's further development and ethnical composition but also to the nowadays climate of interethnic relationships and memory policy in the state. In the beginning of the 1990-s the Latvian political elite tried to institutionalize criteria and practices of the past, thus forming the national policy of memories (calendar of commemoration days, textbooks in history, expositions in national museums, etc.) with an aim not only to recapture the past, but also offer Latvians a common identity what due to fact of existence of two commemoration groups was almost mission impossible. Both commemoration groups are divided by interpretation of the Latvian history events included into the collective narrative, therefore, commemoration rituals and memorial places, as well as communication language and collective memory "power supply" units (two information spaces) differ.

Factors what have been influenced political actors for inclusion or removal dates from the calendar of commemoration days (pressure from international organizations, neighbouring states, etc.) and celebration practices for both commemoration groups and mutual attitude towards each other activities will be analysed.