The bells in Rīga rang out at midday, a moment captured by LTV.
Izsakot līdzjūtību franču kolēģiem, šodien pusdienlaikā Rīgas Doma katedrāle ar zvanu skaņām solidarizējās ar ugunsgrēkā pamatīgi cietušo Parīzes Dievmātes katedrāli. Zvanīja arī Ķelnes un citu Eiropas katedrāļu zvani. pic.twitter.com/oAJwparq5X
— LTV Ziņu dienests (@ltvzinas) April 16, 2019
The gesture followed another expression of solidarity by Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs who tweeted that he had spoken with France's ambassador to Latvia, Mme. Odile Soupison to "offer Latvia's help and support with the rebuilding of Notre Dame de Paris" and suggesting that both Latvian oak and expertise might feature in the reconstruction of the church.
Telefonsarunā ar Francijas vēstnieci Latvijā Odili Supizonu piedāvāju Latvijas palīdzību un atbalstu Parīzes Dievmātes katedrāles atjaunošanā. Varbūt tās konstrukcijā turpmāk būs kāds Latvijas ozols un mūsu lietpratēju padoms noderēs ????
— Edgars Rinkēvičs (@edgarsrinkevics) April 16, 2019
President Vējonis also sent his own message while the fire was still burning. Back in 2013, Rīga Castle, the seat of the Latvian President was seriously damaged by a fire, forcing the Chancellery to relocate while reconstruction efforts took place.
Devastating to see the burning #NotreDameDeParis. Our thoughts are with Parisians and the people of #France as the symbol of #Paris and the symbol of gothic architecture is at serious risk of being destroyed.
— Valsts prezidents (@Rigas_pils) April 15, 2019