liktendarzs - garden of destiny

Almost ever Latvian has relatives (or close friends, or neighbours) that have suffered during different occupation regimes in Latvia. To remember them, Latvians are creating this beautiful garden next to Daugava river. This garden will be a present to the Republic of Latvian on its 100th annaversary in 2018, but already now there is plenty to see: fabulous landscapes everywhere (to Koknese castle ruins, Koknese Lutheran Church, river Daugava). If one has relative that also has suffered because of occupation regime, it is possible to plant a tree in memory of this person in this Garden of Destiny.

In 2018 Latvia will celebrate its 100th anniversary of independence gained in 1918. This small, but proud country suffered a lot during Soviet occupation and many families were split, lost their relatives somewhere and many people do not know where their beloved ones were buried. For that reason it was decided to establish the Garden of Destiny, located near the ruins of Koknese castle, at river Daugava's bank. People commemorate their families by planting trees. Each tree has its number and information whom it is dedicated. AT present (Liktendarzs was founded in 2005) there are already several thousands of trees; there is also a wood path, terrace at Daogava (with the view to castle's ruins) and a kind of amfitheatre, where no concerts will take place but you can go there sit and talk to your lost relatives. Beautiful location, great idea for commemoration without anger and sense of revenge.PS. This is also our story. My Grandgrandfather had an elder brother. They lost contact during the WWII. Under Soviets, the contacts between ordinary people in USSR and Poland and possible search for families were very limited. Each believed the other one (and their families) were lost... The one died in 1966 the other in 1967... But... we have just found his family - still living in Latvia. Now, both "parts" of the family have their trees in Liktendarzs :)