CONTRASTING PERCEPTIONS OF COLD WAR MILITARY LEGACY SITES IN LATVIA: RESIDENTS' ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOURS

Abstract

During the Cold War, global tensions were reflected in the everyday lives of local people, and these local dimensions in the landscape are visible reminders of the past, even today. In European countries, including Latvia, Cold War legacies are abundant, ranging from Soviet military bases of varying sizes to partisan bunkers and battlefields. Some of the sites and memorials are well-preserved and functional, while others are in a state of decay. The sites built by alien powers or created to resist the Soviets nowadays can be a source of difficulty and conflict among different community groups. Previous studies have explored how the presence of Cold War legacies influences the attitudes and opinions of local people across various groups, the discourse surrounding the legacy, interest in visiting places, and engagement in decision-making processes. Previous studies suggest that attitudes towards the Cold War legacy and behaviors are influenced by residents' age group, nationality, and personal connection to the legacy (Seljamaa et al., 2018; Paulus & Brekke, 2022). Miller (2019) states that younger residents are more eager to learn about these sites, while older ones who have experienced the occupation period still feel uncomfortable around such sites.