Documentary examines the disappearance of the Baltic Germans

Take note – story published 3 years ago

LTV's series of short historical documentaries continues under the banner of 'The Keys' with a look at the fate of the Baltic Germans. 

For centuries the dominant force in the country, Latvia's independence brought huge changes to the Baltic Germans, regardless of whether they supported or opposed the new political order. For many, the reversal of fortunes was astonishingly swift and shocking. Others decided to throw in their lot with the fledgling state, though they would continue to be regarded with suspicion.

Meanwhile the rise of extreme German nationalism under Hitler, and the looming threat of Stalin would further complicate matters and ultimately lead to the mass emigration of the Baltic Germans in a matter of days.

The documentary offers a brief outline of this complex situation and the consequences of contemporary actions that resonate to this day.

According to LTV "The Keys" series tells of the most important or "key" events, personalities and turning points in the history of the Latvian state from 1918 to the present. The purpose is to reveal each selected event from an unusual point of view, as if "unlocking the door" to lesser known and therefore particularly intriguing facts. 

"Such an exploratory approach, bypassing the usual stereotypes of presenting history, will allow viewers to perceive what is known to others and to better understand what has happened in the context of today's experience," says LTV.

The show is made by VFS Films, a long-time partner of Latvian Television and it is hosted by Mārtiņš Ķibilds, a distinguished cultural journalist who sadly passed away late last year.

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