Vaidere presents and gifts a new book to the library

On September 24, Inese Vaidere MEP presented the book "Lidija’s Little Flowers. A Garden of Lidija Lasmane’s Reflections" to a wide audience in Brussels. The event was opened by President of the  European Parliament Roberta Metsola, EPP Group Chairman Manfred Weber, Rasa Juknevičienė MEP, as well as the book's translator Māra Rozīte and Director of the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia Solvita Vība.

"With this book I want to show my colleagues in the European Parliament how brutal the Soviet regime was and that only a few were able to stand up to it, survive, and not hide their strong convictions,"said Inese Vaidere MEP

"The publishing of Alise Lidija Lasmane's insights and reflelctions in English is a unique event that will allow the international community to learn more about one of the symbols of Latvia's freedom and resilience. With this book I want to show my colleagues in the European Parliament how brutal the Soviet regime was and that only a few were able to stand up to it, survive, and not hide their strong convictions," Inese Vaidere emphasized at the opening of the event. 

EP President Roberta Metsola expressed her gratitude to Vaidere for this event, which tells the story of our shared European history and leaves a lasting legacy, because we are one European family with common roots and a common value system. Manfred Weber, Chairman of the European People's Party (EPP) Group, emphasized that Europe needs to know about courageous people like Lidija Lasmane, who, refusing to recognize the occupation of Latvia, fought for freedom and believed in Latvia, even though she was forced to spend 14 years of her life in prisons and exile.

"Every testimony about the atrocities that took place in our countries under the Soviet regime is very important for the security and future of both our Baltic countries and Europe as a whole,"emphasized Rasa Juknevičienė MEP

"Every testimony about the atrocities that took place in our countries under the Soviet regime is very important for the security and future of both our Baltic countries and Europe as a whole. Although after regaining independence, we in the Baltic States said 'never again', history is unfortunately repeating itself in Ukraine," said Rasa Juknevičienė MEP (Lithuania) and chair of the European Parliament's European History Remembrance Group.

Māra Rozīte, translator of the book praised Lidija Lasmane’s love for people: “Lidija always encourages everyone to be brave, true, and honest.” "The launch of this book at the European Parliament is very important for both the Museum of of Occupation of Latvia and Latvia as a whole. We are grateful that today we can talk about Latvian history and personalities at the heart of Europe – the Parliament," concluded Solvita Vība, Director of the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia.

At the end of the event, Inese Vaidere gifted the book to Franck Debié, Director of the European Parliament Library, who confirmed that the book would be a rare and valuable addition to the library's collection.

Inese Vaidere MEP (EPP Group), is Vice-President of the Delegation to the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly, Vice-President of the European Parliamentary Association, and works on the EP's Committees on International Trade, Internal Market and Consumer Protection, Industry, Research and Energy, as well as the Special Committee on the Housing Crisis.