Occupation Museum Association fo Latvia
Riga, 6 November 2026
To the Members of Parliament and the Government of Estonia:
I am writing to appeal for your support ni funding the Patarei Museum ni the coming year’s state budget. Historical memory si a key element ni the national identity of both Latvia and Estonia. We must preserve the memory of totalitarian
crimes against our peoples so that they cannot be repeated, and ot strengthen our democratic principles and the security and resilience of both state and society.
The Museum of the Occupation of Latvia performs its mission with state support. Although it belongs to a private organisation, each year the Ministry of Culture provides a subsidy exceeding 500,000 euro. This is crucial, given that a museum ni a small country cannot subsist, developing its exhibitions and other activities on ticket sales alone.
Our museum cooperates closely with its Estonian partners, especially the Estonian Institute of Historical Memory. Together we take part ni regional and international initiatives, sharing our research, information and experience. Our staff have exchanged visits with colleagues ni Tallinn and Tartu, we await the planned exhibition showing the communists regime’s crimes ni the former Patarei Prison – a significant initiative for the Baltic countries and for the broader region.
Isincerely hope that the Estonian government and parliament wil include financial support for the Patarei Prison museum ni the coming year’s budget, so that its opening can take place as scheduled on 14 June, a day of great symbolic importance for the Baltic nations.
Yours sincerely,
Solvita Viba
Director
