Riga renounces Moscow Suburb name in move to shed soviet echoes
9 May 2024 10:31
On the eve of Russia's Victory Day, celebrated on May 9, the authorities in Riga have decided to rename the district on the right bank of the Daugava river. The area formerly known as Moscow Suburb, situated in the heart of Latvia's capital, will be changed.
The city's urban development commission stated that these changes are part of the ongoing efforts to eliminate names tied to the Soviet occupation.
The Moscow Suburb in Riga will be renamed
“There will be no more names in Riga glorifying Moscow. There will be no more Moscow Suburb as a name either,” the vice mayor of Riga, Edvards Ratnieks, announced.
The district, known so far as Moscow Suburb (or Maskachka), represents one of the oldest areas of Riga, located along the eastern route towards Moscow. In its vicinity is a notable building reminiscent of a Stalinist palace, the Latvian Academy of Sciences.
The Moscow Suburb will shed its name, which suggests Russian influence, and revert to its historical name, Latgale Suburb.
Another step in Latvia moving away from pro-Russian names
Local television LSM recalled that last year, Latgale Park and Latgale Street had their historical names restored after being named after the Russian capital. Latgale is a historical region located in the eastern part of Latvia.
Following the authorities' decision, the name Latgale Suburb will soon be updated in the national and municipal cartographic and geospatial information systems.
