Riga, 27 May 2015
UNESCO
DOCOMOMO
ICOMOS
Modernist architecture under threat in Riga
Preservation of the 20th century modernist architecture is an issue of pressing urgency all around the world. After the end of the Cold War, it has been a subject of revisionist treatment in many countries, including Latvia. The post-war modernist architecture is being demolished or fully remodelled in order to hide testaments of the inconvenient socialist past. A whole period of architectural heritage is at risk of vanishing from cultural history.
There are three remarkable examples of post-war modernist architecture still surviving in Latvia, namely, the Salaspils Memorial (1967), the Daile Threatre (1976) and the Museum of the Occupation (1970). Professional opinion holds that all three are of international significance. Although the former two are included in the Latvian Cultural Canon, all three are under threat, particularly the latter. Furthermore, the Museum of the Occupation is at the very heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site (reference number 852), the Historic Centre of Riga.
A plan for radical remodelling of the Museum building has been announced. The signatories of this letter strongly believe that, if the plan gets implemented, it will bring about an irreversible loss of an outstanding example of modernist architecture and also set a dangerous precedent for arbitrary alterations of urban environment. The opinion of UNESCO has always been held in high regard in Latvia and thus we call on you to support the efforts of preserving the modernist heritage and to provide an independent assessment of the situation from the standpoint of the international heritage protection standards.
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The ensemble of what was initially the Museum of Latvian Red Riflemen was built in 1970 in a place, whose original architectural structure was completely destroyed during the World War II. After the construction of the Town Hall Square (Rātslaukums) replicas, the Museum building remained the only truly original architectural object in the entire area. After the restoration of Latvia’s independence in 1991 the building was given to the Museum of the Occupation. The new content, so significant for Latvia’s statehood, and the outstanding example of modernist architecture symbolically complemented each other. This symbiosis could be strengthened by high-quality restoration and incorporation of up-to-date museum infrastructure into it. However, what is being proposed now is a populist solution that would sacrifice the architectural qualities of the building in order to realise a short-term political ambition.
The presence of the Riga Historic Centre in the list of the World Cultural Heritage sites has assisted international recognition of the city. Riga is now internationally known mainly for its iconic architecture and the structure of its urban environment. A firm support by UNESCO for preservation of the extraordinary modernist building would send an important signal to the State Inspection for Heritage Protection and to other relevant authorities that permit sacrifice of this remarkable site.
Sincerely,
Architects Uldis Lukševics, Linda Leitāne-Šmīdberga, Ivars Veinbergs, Mārtiņš Rūsiņš
NRJA Architects, enthusiasts of modernist architecture, authors of the Latvian pavilion at the 14th Venice Architecture Biennale Fundamentals
Architect Zaiga Gaile
Zaiga Gaile’s Bureau
Architect Andrew Andersons
Architect Bureau PTW Architects
Dr. habil. arch. Jānis Krastiņš
Professor, Riga Technical University, Latvian Academy of Sciences
Dr. habil. arch. Ivars Strautmanis
Professor, Riga Technical University
Architect Ausma Skujiņa
Ausma Skujiņa’s Bureau
Architect Pēteris Blūms
Architect Bureau Konvents
Architect Andis Sīlis
Architect Bureau SZK
Architect Ieva Zībārte
Editor, Modernists (The Modernist) magazine
Architect Reinis Liepiņš
Architect Bureau Sudraba arhitektūra
Architect Mārtiņš Jaunromāns
Architect Bureau Jaunromāns un Ābele
Architect Māra Ābele
Architect Bureau Jaunromāns un Ābele
Architect Sintija Vaivade
Architect Bureau Sintija Vaivade_Arhitekte
Architect Brigita Bula
Brigita Bula’s Architect Bureau
Architect, architecture critic Vents Vīnbergs
Architect Andra Šmite
Architect Bureau Adrese
Architect Miķelis Putrāms
Architect Bureau MADE
Architect Pēteris Bajārs
Architect Bureau OUTOFBOX
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