Torchlight Procession Held In Riga On 100th Anniversary Of Latvia's Independence

RIGA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th November, 2018) Several thousand people took part on Sunday in the torchlight procession in the center of Riga on the 100th anniversary of creation of the independent Latvian state, a Sputnik correspondent reported.

The march was organized by the National Alliance far-right political party, which is a part of the country's government.

The procession kicked off near the Karlis Ulmanis Monument and ended on the November 11 Embankment. People of various ages, including many children, took part in the march with torches and Latvian flags.

Torchlight processions, which are associated with similar marches in Nazi Germany, have been held on November 18 in Riga since 2003.

Latvia proclaimed its independence on November 18, 1918. On August 11, 1920, the republic was recognized by the Soviet Union. In 1940-1991, Latvia was a part of the Soviet Union.