“It is an honor to serve Latvia!” – the largest exhibition on the history of the National Armed Forces of the Republic of Latvia
The words “It is an honor to serve Latvia!” are the call and motto of today’s Latvian army soldiers. This phrase connects the current generation of soldiers with all those who defended their country before us and all those who will defend it in the future. Intertwining the memory of past heroism with today’s responsibility for tomorrow’s Latvia, these words encourage us to face future challenges with the dignity and honor worthy of a nation of fighters!
The Latvian War Museum also has the honor to serve Latvia. That is why this year, we have created something truly special and unprecedented – a permanent exhibition on the development of the National Armed Forces of Latvia from their establishment to the present day. The main goals of the exhibition are to foster pride in our country’s armed forces and to promote an understanding of the impressive path of development they have followed since their founding in 1991.
“It is an honor to serve Latvia!” is the most ambitious museum narrative about the development of a national armed force not only in Latvia but across the entire Baltic region. However, the implementation of this project would not have been possible without the determined and consistent support of the National Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence. The War Museum’s “It is an honor to serve Latvia!” exhibition is a comprehensive joint effort, enriched with stories from current and retired commanders, soldiers, National Guard members, mission participants, and newly conscripted State Defence Service recruits.
The exhibition will serve as a unique collection of historical evidence which, alongside promoting the National Armed Forces and documenting their development, will provide an interactive educational platform for every visitor, regardless of their previous experience, age, or field of work.
In the new exhibition, visitors can use virtual reality tools to fly in an Latvian Air Force helicopter over the Daugava River. Additionally, on several interactive screens, visitors can play various games – virtually assembling a soldier’s uniform or putting together a weapon from different parts. One of the exhibition rooms also features air defense equipment, and visitors can sit at a radar station that has been brought to the museum from the Lielvārde Air Base.
Of course, we haven’t forgotten the historical stories either – the exhibition reveals how our armed forces were formed in the early 1990s. Visitors can listen to and read the service stories of retired commanders, soldiers, National Guard members, and mission participants, as well as view historical photographs, various uniforms, and equipment. In total, the exhibition presents more than 500 historical testimonies – memoirs, interviews, weapons, uniforms, and photographs.
Through the Latvian War Museum's exhibition, the words “It is an honor to serve Latvia!” will reach schools, families, and workplaces – until the day comes when this soldier’s promise becomes a guiding principle for the entire society!
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Creators:
Exhibition content: Latvian War Museum
Exhibition design and implementation: SIA "Agency Raugs", SIA "Balta Trend"
Partners: Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia, National Armed Forces
