The Freedom Monument

When I saw this art competition, a lot of ideas came to me at once, but I decided to draw the Freedom Monument, I didn't realize then that I would end up thinking about its actual meaning. I wanted to sketch something meaningful and gorgeous from Latvia. The more I looked at photos of it, the more details I started to see, the variety of shapes, symbols, height and each expression on the sculptures faces, I realised its not just a monument in the middle of Riga. Getting the chance to draw this, made me pay attention to details I had never really noticed before, it made me change how I understand my own culture and history.

At the top of the monument you see a woman standing, everyone calls her ‘’Milda.’’ In my drawing I tried to make her look as bright and proud as she looks in real life. She holds three stars above her head, these stars represent Latvia’s three regions, Kurzeme, Vidzeme and Latgale. While sketching each star, I couldn’t help, but notice how they look like they are glowing a bit, even though they are made out of metal. Each region is different, but together they make one country.

The monument is 42.7 meters high which is hard to imagine until you are standing face to face with it. Getting the proportions right was the tricky part, since “Milda’’ is so high above everything else, and with each angle she looks differently. Maybe that was the point, freedom is supposed to rise above everyday life, which is filled with mystery. The base of the monument is covered with different sculptures and scenes. They are warriors, family, workers, historical characters, people who helped Latvia grow and gain independence. I tried to keep that feeling of them supporting the stars in my drawing.

I was surprised when I learnt that the Freedom Monument was built using ordinary people donations. It was unveiled on November 18, 1935 on Latvia's independence day, the designer and sculptor was made by Kārlis Zāle, but the actual architect was Ernests Štālbergs. Knowing that the monument was paid for by real people gives off more of a personal feeling. When I included the inscription ‘’TĒVZEMEI UN BRĪVĪBAI’’ in my drawing. I pondered for a while, how powerful those words must have felt for the nation at the time suffering the war. 

The monument survived Word War II, the soviet occupation, and all kinds of difficult times. People leave flowers at the monument, even though its forbidden, upon knowing that it tugged on my heartstrings. While shading the darker areas, I tried to show that the monument still stands strong even through all the suffering and darkness.

Personally, the most emotional thing is how the monument became important again during the Latvian Awakening. Civilians gathered around and demanded freedom peacefully, to show they still believe in Latvia. Imagining thousands upon thousands of people standing where I stood during school field trips, feels unreal. When I added the background of the waving Latvian flag behind the monument, I wanted to give it a strong setting.

Now in 2025, the Freedom Monument has turned 90 years old. I did not want to show it off as an old object, but instead something alive. Even today, it is a place where people stop to look and take pictures. On national holidays, the monument becomes the center of attention, soldiers stand in place, people lay flowers and the whole place feels full of respect. 

The main question of this competition asks what cultural heritage means to us. So, for me the Freedom Monument is one of the clearest examples. It shows heritage isn’t boring or old, it is actually something we interact with all the time, without realizing it. I didn’t think only about history, but also about identity and what it means to be from Latvia, about why freedom matters.

To me, the Freedom Monument is like a bridge between the past and future. It tells the story of a nation that didn’t give up. It constantly reminds us that freedom is something we should value and not just celebrate once a year. And it personally tells me, that even a teenager like me, is part of this ongoing story. My drawing is just one small way of showing that I appreciate what the monument stands for, and that I want its message to continue into the future as well. 

Heritage is not something we only inherit, its something we live with and add to. By understanding and expressing it in our own way, whether though art, writing or even just educating ourselves about it, we keep it alive. Drawing the Freedom Monument helped me see that more clearly that ever.