Little bit of history from Riga

Staying at the hostel near zeppelin-hangars constructed during World War One by the German army. Today the buildings are a part of Riga's Central Market. I visited the Latvian War Museum (even called the Military History Museum) and its exhibition specially arranged for the anniversary of 100 years since the WWI started. The presentation included the contemporary war propaganda made by the Tsarists Russian empire, which also was distributed in the city of Riga. The Russian language shown on the pictures presents an older version of Russian that was later reformed during the early years of the Soviet Union. 

Picture from 1915 showing countries on the "Entente side". From left to right: Russia, Serbia, Great Britain, Japan, France, Montenegro, Belgium and Italy. 

Since my grand grandfather, Simo Lausevic served as a soldier in the Montenegrin army during WWI I had to publish this picture showing king Nikola I. 

Picture showing the political leaders of the states fighting against "Central Powers". From upper left to down right Emperor Yoshihito of Japan, King Albert of Belgium, King Peter of Serbia, King George of  Great Britain, King Victor Emanuel of Italy and King Nikola of Montenegro. In the middle of the picture from above is Tsar Nikolaj of Russia and president Raymond of France. 











A quite funny map of Europe showing caricatures of different countries. 

A picture showing the Russian Tsar with full equipment. 

"Deutschland über alles". A part of German propaganda. Very romanticizing. 

Kaiser Vilhelm II. 

Wounded soldiers being taking care of at a hospital in Riga. 

Elite units of the Russian Imperial army, later even the Red Army, were among others even the so-called Latvian Shooters. Picture showing one of the units before being sent to the front. 







 

Equipment used by Latvian Shooters. Notice the French-made Adrian helmet which was only used in limited numbers since the Russian army, in general, did not use steel helmets during the war. 

A sketch showing Latvian Shooters in action. 

Riga during the occupation by the German army 1917-1918 above and under. 

As the Russian Empire was losing the war and as the state was losing its influence and control over territories the movements inspired by nationalism arose in several parts of the old empire including today's Latvia. The different processes of WWI resulted in the creation of the Latvian Republic which became one of the new countries in Europe at that time. 

Drinking beer on month before the war started. The good old days. 

Medical equipment for a dentist. Trying not to imagine how it was used. 

Citizens of Riga were ordered to register for their identification documents by orders from the German military authorities during the occupation. 

Also, I visited the Laima Chocolate museum. I really appreciate their products and their brand reminds me of former Yugoslav producers which now are Croatian Kraš and Serbian Štark. For more about Laima you can read here. 

Even candy can be used for propaganda. 

The Laima clock which is placed in two Latvian cities according to the information from one of the museum workers: Riga and Sigulda. 

Laima is still famous for its design. Design during the Soviet time above and under.