Russians in Latvia

13 comments

1. It’s one of these questions again…

2. It’s getting harder for people who only know russian language as latvian youth is no longer learning russian due to it not being mandatory. It’s usually in some specific cities / willages where there is high percentage of russians and they can get by with out knowing latvian language.

3. 1. <30 no, >30 yes (possible ages have to be changed to 25)
   2. no
   3. more yes than no, but becoming more and more no
   4. time

4. 1. Generation that lived in Soviet union times – yes. Children born after 1990s – could say 50/50. Everyone must learn either Russion or German as secondary language in school, most choose Russian.

   2./4. Wouldn’t say opressed or discriminated, more like strong Latvian patriots are not fond of them but the thing is, lots and lots of Russians are disrespectful, do not learn Latvian and get pissed when we dont communicate in Russian with them (mostly in work with clients like administrators in gym, supermarkets etc). And I agree – Latvian citizen should know Latvian.

   3.Yes, especially if you dont work with clients. Otherwise, in Riga and Latgale not knowing Russian could bring some uncomfortable situations. But definitely you can get by.

   Resolving the issue? Probably (and hopefully) as the old USSR generation dies out (sorry) the new generations will be more rounded, Russians will learn Latvian (mostly already true for our gen) and respect our culture and also admit how bad the old times were, and Latvians will forget the painful past that we’ve been though and learn to live together with Russians and other nationalities that come here to study and live. We are quite conservative so opening our doors to new things is always a struggle.

5. Why is it phrased as if they’re the victims…

6. Tbh it is very interesting question about discrimination, because there isnt like full on racism going on, but a lot of people dislike them… but not without a reason, 1.well, obviously because of history… 2.A lot of them are very very disrespectful, I work at McDonalds (night shifts) and no one makes such a mess as russians… 3. Language barrier, a lot of russians know latvian, but just wont use it (for principle I guess). This is not as big problem for younger generations (althought there are some teenagers who are born in Latvia, but doesnt speak latvian), because even if they speak russian with their parents, they use latvian out in public… it is very weird how hated russians are, because of such reasons, while the real russians (who live in russia) are very friendly, polite etc people…

7. >How prevalent is the Russian language among the population of (ethnic) Latvians? Do majority of average ethnic Latvians speak some basic Russian?

   Very prevalent. Generally the older sspeak better Russian. Young Latvians around 20 at least half speak basic Russian (schools still teach it), and even more understand it if not speak.

   >Are ethnic Russians discriminated throughout Latvia?

   It depends on situation. On personal level there definitely could be found discrimatory practices, but same is true vice versa – Russians discriminating Latvians. On state institutional level there is “no discrimination” on ethnical basis.

   >I hope you wont get offended, this is only informative question: Can you get by and live, work in Riga by only know Russian language

   Yes, it is very easy to live and work in Riga, Latvia only knowing Russian language. Unless you are planning to work with local clients face to face (like barista or officiant), there is no need to learn Latvian.

   >Is it true that Russians are oppressed in Latvia?

   Depends whom you ask. Latvia is forcing more and more Latvian language in Russian schools. Many see it as oppression.

   >How do you see this situation to be resolved (if there is something to be resolved)?

   Only through demographic movements and changes in a long time frame.

   Someone once calculated (taking stats from Soviet period) that Russians assimilate in Latvian society only in towns where Latvians are at least 80%. Can’t find the source on spot.

8. The situation will resolve itself when Latvians stop fearing that Russia will try to take over Latvia. The Latvian population of a certain age remember the USSR intentionally moving Russians into Latvia to erase the Latvian national identity. As long as Putin/Russia continue their expansionist policies, Latvians will continue to treat ethnic Russians who refuse to speak Latvian as political rivals/enemies.

9. You should know the local language. Doesn’t matter which country.

10. Latvian Russians aren’t really Russians. They speak or spoke Russian after Soviet union occupation. They’re in all sense Latvians who speak Russian now. Democracy, humans rights etc. In Latvia there’s even a different version of Russian language. So Latvia is very thretning to Russia because in Latvia people have rights.

11. 1. Well about 70-80% Latvian speak Russian , about 50-60% good at it.
    2. Define discrimination. There is more or less balance today. When the new districts were built in Riga in the Soviet times, the main task was to accommodate migrants, not locals. Because the Soviet government was guided by simple logic: migrants have nowhere to live, locals ( Latvians ) can live with their parents and grandparents. So Russians received more living space in commie blocks and that reality is in place even today. Also in their districts they aren’t minority, they are living in their “little Russia”. There are definitely not less than 80% Russian speaking people in Zolitūde, Pļavnieki and some other places in Riga. Personally I think that more Russians in Latvia are living in Russian environment then Latvians in Latvian surroundings.

    There mainly are two topics about discrimination: language and citizenship. Well, Latvians can’t allow the Russian language to be official, if that happens no one Russian will learn Latvian. Also that will include to double all official documents in the Cyrillic. About the citizenship there is this Russian visa thing – If a Russian living in Latvia isn’t a Latvian citizen, he can travel to Russia without visa. This situation definitely prevent many Russians from the acquisition of Latvian citizenship.

    3. Yes. If you are only Russian speaking boss, you can hire the only Russian speaking working class people too. But you will need an accountant and secretary with good Latvian language skills.

    4. No. Again define oppression. Definitely, many Russians think that forcing a Russian person to learn another language in an oppression, humiliation and a total violence of human rights.

12. There are many variants how to solve this situation:
    A)New occupation(very impossible due to obvious reasons)
    B)Establishing new Latvian Russian identity(impossible because we share the same language and culture)
    C)Change Russian elite in Latvia to less “we are oppresed” and more “we are russians with our own culture” This will lead to russians integration in Latvian society(possible when aftersoviet elite will be changed and when non-citizenship will become past)
    D) Deportation of Russians (even less likely than A variant)
    E) Assimilation (Possible, but in result we will also lose nowaday Latvian identity and culture)

13. 1. Pretty much yes, and Latvians learn Russian in schools, so yes.
    2. Yes, but only on internet, because everyone is too pussy irl to say anything to them.
    3. Yes, absolutely.
    4. No, they probably don’t give a shit about it, so no.
    5. Nothing to be resolved lol.