General translation from Latvian into English can be difficult under ordinary circumstances. The principal difficulties encountered are the fact that Latvian does not employ definite articles, leaving the translator to puzzle out whether to write "an objection" (one of perhaps many) or "the objection" (meaning just one); the fact that prepositions in direct translation are often not what is really being meant, such as "from" (meaning someone sent by a group) when what was really meant in context was "of" (meaning someone who is an actual member of the group); and finally, the fact that after fifty years of Soviet repression, contemporary Latvian dictionaries are much smaller in size and fewer in number than their English counterparts, making it extremely necessary for the translator to have read and reread both versions many times and then to employ both a native speaker of Latvian and a native speaker of English to read together and discuss in detail the nuances and alternatives.

One specific method was employed in this translation, as the publisher decided that the importance of this information required the most clear and accurate translation possible: where an unavoidable choice between accuracy and clarity had to be made, accuracy was chosen and clarity has been achieved through footnoting. In other instances, it was recognized that particular terms or references might not be understood without a definition or explanation, and these are also footnoted.

No deliberate attempt was made to expurgate (sanitize) the offensive or inflammatory language included in the text, as the publisher's instructions were to be guided by academic and linguistic standards and to ignore the political and social sensibilities which might be offended. The translators are satisfied that their instructions were to create a thoroughly accurate translation in all respects.

The Translators

the Latvian "baigais" means both 'ghastly' (shockingly dreadful) and 'terrible' (severely distressing). For the title, it was translated in the former in view of the nature of the events being related. In the text, the latter was used to describe individual situations as less drastic than the sum of such acts.

Edvards Virza:

This heart-wrenching poem, with its strange and dirge-like meter, sounds in Latvian much like the slow pealing of a distant bell or the far-off weeping of a lost child. The poet predicts the effects of a ghastly year in which no new life or warmth or pleasure will exist. The Sun will be cursed for revealing everything as it has become and nothing from that season of horror will long survive. Winds of change will draw a curtain of blood across the view until nothing is certain. And even the earth and the waters of life, choked with the graves of the murdered, will remain mute and poisoned by the deeds of man. It is a poem without hope, without anger, without fear. It is the last breath of life escaping in a whisper of words not even of regret, but of a terrible and final farewell.

This poem is best read after fully reading the volume.

Kārlis Zuika:

The term 'Bolshevik' was employed throughout the book. In Latvia at that time, the use of this term instead of 'Communist' was a deliberate attempt to show dislike, contempt and disrespect and the portrayal of such persons as uneducated brutes as opposed to political idealists.

The Latvian Tauta means people, nation (in the ethnic/social sense), the population, etc. In nearly all cases, this was translated as 'people', meaning the ethnic community as a whole, and not as used by the Soviets when collectivizing the citizens of the political state. In certain places where it inexplicably appeared in consecutive phrases within a single sentance, this was taken to mean 'the people of the nation', and was so translated. The use of 'People' with the capital indicates deliberate Soviet phraseology. This is an important distinction, because whenever a threat or an injury 'to the Latvian people' is found in the text, the authors were conveying an assault not only against persons, but against the survival of the race or cultural community as a whole.

Abrene was one of Latvia's Administrative Districts on its common border with the Soviet Union. In 1944 the entire District, consisting of the municippality of Abrene with its six rural districts (Kacēni, Upmale, Linava, Purvmala, Augšpils and Gauri), its citizens and property were absorbed into the Russian Soviet Socialist Federated Republic as the Vishgorod, Katchanovo and Tolkovo rural districts, simply by a Moscow decree. Latvia has never renounced its claim, and in 1992 enacted this Resolution stating its case:

RESOLUTION

“On the Non-recognition of the Annexation of the Town of Abrene

and the Six Rural Districts of the Abrene District”

The basis of interstate relations between Latvia and Russia is determined by the still valid “Peace Treaty between Latvia and Russia” concluded on August 11, 1920. Paragraph 3 of this Treaty defines the state borders between Latvia and Russia. The interstate legal relations with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics were determined by the Treaty between Latvia and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics signed on February 5, 1932 in Riga. Both parties declared that this Treaty was signed upon the basis of the Peace Treaty between Latvia and the Russian Soviet Socialist Federative Republic, signed on August 11, 1920, that it was valid in the entire territory of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and that its regulations were irrevocable and forever remained as the indissoluble foundation for the relations between both parties.

The border between Latvia and Russia defined by the August 11, 1920 Treaty has been changed by the USSR Supreme Soviet Presidium Decree “On the Formation of the Pskov Region Within the Territory of the RSSFR”, issued on August 23, 1944, and refering to the appeal of the Latvian SSR Supreme Soviet Presidium, thus, incorporating the town of Abrene and the six rural districts of the Abrene District into the territory of the RSSFR. According to the Republic of Latvia administrative division of 1940, these rural districts are Kacēni, Upmale, Linava, Augšpils and Gauri. The total area of these rural districts, including the town of Abrene, is 1293.60 square kilometers. The USSR Supreme Soviet Presidium Decree names these rural districts, according to the administrative territorial division existing in Czarist Russia, as Vishgorod, Katchanovo and Tolkovo. The Latvian SSR Supreme Soviet Presidium Decision, adopted by means of an August 22, 1944 inquiry “On Joining Vishgorod, Katchanovo and Tolkovo Rural Districts to the Russian Soviet Socialist Federative Republic”, expresses an appeal to the USSR Supreme Soviet Presidium to join the Vishgorod, Katchanovo and Tolkovo rural districts of the Latvian SSR to the Russian Soviet Socialist Federative Republic. The above-mentioned border changes between Latvia and the RSSFR and the precise determination of the border were ratified by the Decision of the Latvian SSR Supreme Soviet Presidium, signed on October 5, 1946, “On the Determination of the Border Between the Latvian SSR and the RSSFR” and by the USSR Supreme Soviet Presidium Decree, signed on October 19, 1946, “On the Ratification of Changes of the Border Between the Latvian SSR and the RSSFR”.

In accordance with the Republic of Latvia Satversme of 1922, Paragraph 3, the territory of the State of Latvia is determined by the borders defined by international treaties. They can be changed only by the procedures prescribed in Paragraph 77 of the Satversme.

Taking into consideration that the annexation of the town of Abrene and the six rural districts of the Abrene District of the Republic of Latvia to the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic violated the “Peace Treaty Between Latvia and Russia”, signed on August 11, 1920, and the February 5, 1932 Treaty signed between Latvia and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, as well as based on the fact that the annexation of this territory has been carried out during the occupation of Latvia, the Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia resolves:

1. To recognize as anti-constitutional the USSR Supreme Soviet Presidium Decree “On the Formation of the Pskov Region within the Territory of the RSSFR”, signed August 23, 1944, and to declare as invalid from the moment of its adoption the terms concerning the annexation of the Republic of Latvia territory of the town of Abrene and the six rural districts of the Abrene District (Kacēni, Upmale, Linava, Purvmala, Augšpils and Gauri) to the Russian Soviet Socialist Federative Republic.

2. To recognize as invalid from the moment of its adoption the Latvian SSR Supreme Soviet Decision “On Joining Vishgorod, Katchanovo and Tolkovo Rural Districts to the Russian Soviet Socialist Federative Republic”, which was adopted by means of the August 22, 1944 inquiry.

3. To recognize as invalid from the moment of their adoption the October 5, 1946 Latvian SSR Supreme Soviet Presidium Decision “On the Determination of the Border between the Latvian SSR and the RSSFR” and the October 19, 1946 USSR Supreme Soviet Presidium Decree “On the Ratification of Changes of the Border Between the Latvian SSR and the RSSFR”.

4. To confirm that the border between the Republic of Latvia and the Russian Federation is still legally defined by Paragraph 3 of the “Peace Treaty Between Latvia and Russia”.

5. To require the Republic of Latvia delegation to resolve the Abrene issue during the interstate negotiations with the Russian Federation, including the procedures for the determination of the amount and the compensation of the material losses caused to the still-existing property of the state of Latvia and of the Republic of Latvia citizens in the town of Abrene and the six rural districts of the Abrene District.

6. This Resolution takes effect as of the moment of its adoption.

Originally published in:

The Republic of Latvia Supreme Council and Government Reporter, No. 6/7 (1992), pp. 175-176

The Latvian vara can mean either 'power', 'authority' or 'jurisdiction', and is normaly the second word in a compound phrase. Its repeated use in 'Soviet Authority' or simply 'Authority' was used by the authors to denote the occupying force in general. In instances where this is not the case, it has been translated simply as 'power'.

The Red Army deliberately selected Tatar units, widely known for their brutality, to form the vanguard of the occupying force. Every Latvian of the time would have clearly understood this as a message: don't even think about resistance and their use in the occupation of Riga was an overt announcement of absolute repression — much more so than if European Russian troops alone had been used.

In Latvian, there are two possible words which can be used for 'Jews'. Ebrejs, translated as 'Hebrews' or 'Jews' is considered the proper polite term by Latvian Jews. Žīds 'Yids', translated as 'Jews' is generally regarded by Latvian Jews as impolite and offensive.

There are also some in Latvia who continue to argue that Žīds is perfectly proper, having simply evolved from the language common to European Jews, and should simply be understood as "a speaker of Yiddish".

The most widely-used Latvian-English dictionary now in use translates Žīds simply as "Jew", without further comment.

Throughout the text, the term Žīds was used, therefore the translators have preserved accuracy by using 'Yid' and 'Yiddish', but readers are reminded that Latvian Jews themselves would find its use improper and offensive.

In the newspaper article depicted, the majority of those arrested for street fighting would have been identified by contemporary Latvian readers as Jewish or Russian, based upon popularly-held beliefs.

The Saeima was and still is the name for the Latvian Parliamentary body. Upon annexation by the Soviet Union this body ceased to exist, being replaced by a Supreme Council.

more commonly known as the 'Young Pioneers organization'

Stachanoviesi Movement: a Soviet worker who labored so prodigiously that a movement to emulate him was created by the Communist Party, with both willing and unwilling volunteers trying to perform prodidgous feats of labor.

Shock Workers Movement: similar to the above, but usually referring to teams of factory workers induced/compelled to work at breakneck speed.

Note: Both of the above terms convey a very real revulsion felt by the average Latvian of the day in sacrificing quality over mindless speed resulting in careless work. Latvians, like the Swiss, Germans and British, traditionally prided themselves on their craftsmanship, practiced skill and husbandry. To be forced to perform poor-quality work and to work under incompetent supervisors chosen for political loyalty rather than professional expertise was emotionally devastating. Readers will find many similar complaints further on. The effect on the population of such policies was for the Soviets to have lost any chance for the respect of the population from the start.

Frequent references to colors and varieties of colors were meant to demonstrate that so unprofessional were the Soviets that throughout their demonstrations and military and official pageants, they simply paraded and decorated like a bunch of mismatched clowns, without regard for proper formality — much like children playing at dress-up. While this has little meaning now, when this volume was written, professional soldiers, police, decorations and events were traditionally formal, solemn and well-groomed.

This is deliberate scarcasm: that the incompetent Soviets were reducing Latvia's previously high agricultural outout (far higher than anything ever achieved by the Soviets) down to that of the great Soviet famine of 1923.

Perhaps the strongest cultural trait traditional to Latvians has been their sense of family and ethnic solidarity — which borders on the obsessive — likely due to centuries of occupation by foreign masters. For the Party to come between children and parents, to get Latvian to inform against Latvian, to drive into voluntary (safe) exile abroad or involuntary (unsafe) banishment to Siberia were anathemas almost beyond description. This same theme will be encountered elsewhere.

Use of the term fatherland is not a Germanism — the same term is used in Latvian.

This is a Latvian saying which, freely interpreted, "This land sustained us and nourished us, therefore we must protect and defend this land at all costs - even with our lives."