The portal of public initiatives ManaBalss.lv has started collecting signatures for two civil initiatives – to declare Lachplesis Day an official holiday and make it a day off, and to turn the 11 November Embankment into a pedestrian promenade.
The first initiative proposes making Lachplesis Day an official public holiday. Author of the initiative Andris Balcers believes that November 11, the Day of Remembrance of the Heroes of Latvia, deserves a special status as a public holiday and should be included in the list of days off, allowing all residents of the country to honor the memory of Latvian freedom fighters in a full atmosphere of unity.
«Latvian Heroes’ Remembrance Day has a special significance in our history, and therefore it should be a day when everyone can attend events with their family and community to feel a sense of belonging to Latvia and honor the memory of our heroessays Balcers. – The official status of this day will not only strengthen national identity, but will also help educate the younger generation about the history of Latvia».
Another initiative proposes turning the 11 November Embankment into a pedestrian promenade.
Initiative proposed Janis Vavereprovides for the transformation of the embankment into a pedestrian promenade, which will connect Old Riga with the Daugava and make the embankment an attractive gathering place for residents and guests of the city. Currently, it serves as a transport artery, which does not allow full use of this symbolically and visually important part of the city.
Vavere proposes in the short term to close the embankment to traffic on Sundays, and in the long term to create a green promenade with recreation areas, terraces, playgrounds and an active embankment that will improve both air quality and the appearance of the city.
«The changes will not only improve the quality of life and business in this part of the city, but will also give new energy to the center“, says Wawere.
Source: www.gorod.lv
