We asked Zanna Trankale, a psychologist from Jurmala, about what she remembered from the Latvian Independence movement, how she was involved, and how her family was treated during Soviet times. Here are her responses.

Q: What were you doing on January 20, 1991 and what do you remember from that time?

ZT: On 20th of January, 1991 I was at my working place. I was working in the company, that was in charge of various goods (transportation & deliveries) to various regions. We were listening to the latest news from various regions of Latvia as well as sharing the latest news with people coming through the office from various regions of Latvia. For example, I remember them saying that in Jaugapils there were almost no more men, because all of them went to take part and support Latvia at the barricades around Riga. Women stayed home with their children and were watching TV or listening to the radio, in order to find out the latest information. I was mainly taking part in the discussions with my colleagues at my working place.

Q: How were you and your family treated under the Soviet Union?

ZT: I can’t say anything bad about the Soviet Union and about their impact on our family. We didn’t feel it so much. Our family was well situated, everyone had work. Everything seemed to be quite fine for us.

Q: How did you participate in the Latvian independence movement?

ZT: During that time I remember myself taking part in various manifestations. We were all into everything that was concerned with the independence movement in Latvia. This was the unity of Latvian people, which I have never experienced in my whole life again. And I should admit that it was something that is not too characteristic to Latvians.  

---Thank you to Gita Ozolina for translating