BTA presents Riga with an insurance policy for the Freedom Monument for the 22nd year

Today, November 14, insurance company AAS “BTA Baltic Insurance Company” (hereinafter – BTA) presented the Freedom Monument with an insurance policy worth EUR 1.5 million for the 22nd year in a row, handing it over to Riga Mayor Viesturs Kleinbergs. Evija Matveja, member of the BTA Board, emphasizes that donating insurance for the Freedom Monument has become a national holiday tradition, while protecting an important part of Latvia's identity and reminding the public of the high value of freedom. 

According to a survey conducted by BTA and the research agency Norstat Latvija*, only 22% of Latvian residents surveyed have ever explained the significance of the Freedom Monument to their own children or those of their relatives. Meanwhile, 39% believe that this is not their responsibility and that it should be done by educational institutions, for example. Only 10% of residents visit the Freedom Monument during national holidays, laying flowers and candles at the Brothers' Cemetery or at the Riga Castle wall. At the same time, 33% of respondents said that they do not participate in patriotic activities at all during national holidays. This means that it is essential to promote patriotism and sharing it within Latvian society. 

"For 90 years, the Freedom Monument has been Latvia's strongest symbol of unity and freedom, and protecting it also means caring for Latvia, its people, and our shared value—freedom. Independence and freedom are not self-evident things – they are values that must be constantly nurtured in our hearts and passed on to future generations, thereby strengthening the power of the nation. We are honoured that for more than two decades we have been able to take care of the safety of our symbol of freedom, while at the same time drawing attention to the importance of promoting and maintaining patriotism in society as a whole," emphasizes Evija Matveja, member of the BTA Board. 

Each year, the Freedom Monument insurance policy includes protection against fire, natural disasters, liquid spills, and damage caused by unlawful acts of third parties. Giving the policy to the city of Riga has become a tradition during national holidays, and this year the policy, worth 1.5 million euros, was presented to Riga Mayor Viesturs Kleinbergs. 

"In my childhood memories, the Freedom Monument is surrounded by tram tracks, and I can hear my mother telling me how important it is to our country and our people. So now, when we come here with our family during the holidays, this place always makes us feel proud, a sense of belonging, and joy that we can stand so close to our Milda. Freedom is a value that must be protected as is the Freedom Monument. Thank you, BTA, for your care and for helping to protect our symbol of freedom," says Viesturs Kleinbergs, Chairman of the Riga City Council. 

The policy was presented on November 14 at the foot of the Freedom Monument, and this symbolic moment was attended by BTA Board Member Evija Matveja, Riga Mayor Viesturs Kleinbergs, and BTA employees – members of the Civil Guard [LV – zemessargi]. After the presentation of the policy, the Mayor of Riga and BTA representatives laid flowers at the monument, paying tribute to those who fought for our freedom and those who continue to protect it. 

Photos from this symbolic moment are available here: https://failiem.lv/u/gdfkrdqbe4

Photo author: Evija Trifanova, LETA. 

*The survey was conducted in October 2025 by BTA and Norstat Latvia, with the participation of 1,013 Latvian residents aged 18 to 74.