Baltic States: Life on the Edge | ARTE.tv Documentary 

For the first 22 minutes i wondered if it was too hard to get anybody for interviews in Latvia for this very relevant doc. So surprised to suddenly see my hometown, at a mere 6 min. drive from me. Very greatful to ARTE, Yevgeniya and Bozhina for showing this enchanted shore, merçi beacoup! Everything these Russian "opposition" journalists said is true, however brief was the description. Jūrmala is among the most russified cities in Baltics and a good example how language and ethnicity is not a reason for division or excuse for agression (like falsely claimed for Eastern Ukraine). In some areas you hear predominantly russian language, never a problem. It also has one of the most expensive housing markets in Baltics (location dependant), so a lot of oligargchs, politicians and show-biz stars have acquired immobiliers at the most exclusive locations here. I guess the largest part of them are Russians (excluding politicians, mostly local). My mother was working for the local council authority as a planning project approval specialist over 10y. ago and had to deal with them daily. All i'll say here is that people are diverse, but often entitled according to wealth. Those friendly with Putin's regime cannot and i hope will not return here, some assets of officially sanctioned persons have been frozen too. We're working on plans to release these assets to help Ukraine, but it's often complicated. If successful this could become a precedent for the rest of $300B globally sanctioned Russia's assets. We're not afraid, but there is some unease simmering just below the surface. Most important now is to stay united avoiding our new/old adversary to find cracks to split us up and never to see Russian army on our soil again. We're hoping for the best, but quietly preparing for the worst. P.S. I spent some years in France and never thought i'll see my city on French TV in these circumstances. Trés fort.

Prussia is waiting to become a Czech exclave. Rumours about 4th baltic nation aren’t baseless.

We love Krtek!

Any reports on how your neighbor is managing with the denazification!??? 😇😂

@@Onionbaron Well Russia lost only 450k soldiers and only 15k of equipment like tanks, btr and else, not great not terrible.

@@Onionbaron Sad to say that Orks are adapting, at this point they have upper hand I believe.

@@immoralwombat6843 They don't have hands, only limbs.

@@fidenemini111 Well said.

You are saying that in a similar documentary about the UK, a Latvian living there should not be allowed to speak?

@@yts4106 They shouldn't be asked.

​@@yts4106There is no problem that she speaks on behalf of a Russian immigrant who came to the country a year ago. The problem is that the story asks for the opinion of Lithuanians and Estonians, but instead of Latvians, a Russian citizen is speaking. In a similar situation, it would be normal for a Latvian immigrant to talk about his experience in the UK, but it would not be normal for it to be presented as a British point of view

I've seen so many short documentaries where instead of interviewing Latvians, they choose to talk to a Russian person instead. And it's strangely always about the history of Latvia that they want to ask about.

I too found it strange when everyone in Estonia and Lithuania spoke pretty good English and then in Latvia you get a woman who possibly speaks nothing beside russian, because why bother learning languages?

Take it easy., ignorance is not a sin. Most people in Western Europe still can not see any difference between soviet republic and soviet satelite and they seem to be suprised we don't speak russian. There is not much we can do about it. Greetings from Poland.

every country in the EU is an EU state, isn't it?

Right and none of the 3 countries have major similarities, 3 different languages with different cultural aspects. Go ESTONIA, LATVIA , LITHUANIA

They're not EU states, they're "nation states" or "states of the Baltic 'brotherhood'", "šalys" o ne "valstijos", whichever you like more. We have more important things to worry about than what coined phrases other countries are using.

Lithuania and Latvia do have very similar languages, they cant communicate with eachother, but often you can make out the idea of what was said if you have been exposed to both languages enough​@@tiram12

You have nothing to worry about. Your already in Nato (Russia have accepted that)and your to small to pose any threat to Russia. They can take you down over along weekend, but they woulden't. Russia could not tolerate ukrain in Nato(existential threat). Russia have tried diplomacy with the west and ukrain for over 10 years. Ukrain stupidly tried to enter NATO. Abselout crazy idiocy. The war did not have to happen.

What do you mean? Can you elaborate

@@gustavskalnare7874 states can have a meaning they are not sovereign or independent, while country has a meaning it is sovereign and independent, with its own government.

Some do say Countries. While title in wiki is States, the first line tho mentions Countries "The Baltic states or the Baltic countries is a". I have heard that some say states, some say countries.

The Baltic States is 3 Countries Lithuania Latvia n Estonia. The Baltic countries would be that Bordering The Baltic Sea

@@ugnikalnis Oh, I see. Good point.

I've lived in Tallinn for over 10 years now because my partner is Estonian. Estonia is a beautiful and peaceful country, and Estonians are lovely and kind people. I'd never go back to my country if it wasn't for the threat of war. It truly breaks my heart to see how many people are living on the edge and in fear because of this fascist scum.

Let them. More comments, means more exposure. :)

It already is

I'm one of them, there, satisfied?

Independent Baltic Countries, not States…

As a Latvian I also was dumbfounded why two russians were speaking for Latvia. I'll say this right now, Latvians hate russians who refuse to talk Latvian, thats why we are deporting russians who refuse to learn our language. The Latvians that see no problem with russians who only speak russian are pathetic in my eyes and cowardly

Ignorant western journalists

She doesn't speak for Latvia, She as a Russian living in Latvia shares her perspective on current situation.

@@matissgrislis7466 then she couldve made a seperate video about it, not steal the spotlight from Latvians who couldve told their perspective

@@matissgrislis7466 I never understand how russians living in Baltic States gets high posistions, an imigrant should never be allowed to work in military or to become a politician nor work in any government sector

Maybe noone wanted to talk to them. After whole TV Rain stuff, Latvians generaly dislike any kind of russian journalists. We don't beat them up or anything, just avoid them.

@@GGBBGGBB940 please do not talk about things you know nothing about!

Poor journalism.

@@GGBBGGBB940 We do have more cities than Jūrmala, you realise right? I remember Varlamov was doing video and he picked all 3 major Russian speaking cities even though Liepāja is in top 3 while Jūrmala is 5th.

​@@free_shortvideowho makes you think I don't know anything about the subject?

Why disrespect Latvia because of a French Arte documentary choices, even _mad_ disrespect? Looks like they didn't have correspondents in Latvia and only contact were Russian opposition journalists. My guess they wanted to show another angle (this was about Russian influence and life in one of the most Russian cities) or didn't know how to get hold of Latvian correspondents, which is strange. Yes, my grandparents were deported and opressed all trough Soviet occupation from this very area, but it's history we hope not to repeat. However it's what they said what's important, not their ethnicity or language. Bozhina is most likely a Latvian citizen despite being ethnically Russian. I'll do some OSINT on her, as i live in the very area she filmed in, but all she said was true, which also corresponds to what Estonian 5 minuut musician said. Arte should have gotten hold of Latvians too though, like even me or my friends could have done better.

35% of Latvians speak Russian. Why do you want to cancel their language?

@@yts4106 Clearly you have no idea what you are talking about. About 30% of Latvia's population are Russians who arrived during occupation and about 60% of them can't speak or understand Latvian language, therefore creating 2 parallel societies. There is more to it, but no one tries to cancel anything.

@@dannydetonator I agree with most of what you said. It's just a bad choice of a song. Let's be honest, Bozenas point of view is far from the status quo among Russians in Latvia.

@@yts4106 Latvians speak many languages, average Latvian knows 3 languages, how small country will cancel language like Russian? Just don't force to us your language, we don't want to sponsor by our tax money Russian schools, Russian propoganda media, Russian political parties etc. Is it that hard to understand? English speakers here are 50%+, and we need to build now english schools all over the country? Why Brits doesn't make their political parties??

Its a provoking clickbait, your brain is working correctly. Bravo!

As Estonian, fully agreed. I'd only add: make sketch on a paper and go ask from the owner - chances are that the owner actually agrees to it...

Thanks, Vova. When will it end tho is what everyone really wants to know.

The song is Radvis-juodos akys

The song is "RADVIS - JUODOS AKYS"

It's Juodos Akys, Radvis

​@@skoost1425 thanks!

True.

On walls as well. They are welcome to draw on their own houses though. Idk what kind of imbecile would promote this shit.

Radvis - Juodos akys

It's Juodos Akys, Radvis

They are showing what we will look like if Russia wins in Ukraine.

That is the saddest part of what happened to Latvia.

This is a bot response. Ignore, normal readers.

I always feel so sorry for Latvians as a Lithuanian. This is why the Forest Brothers resistance was so crucial, I know it did exist in Latvia too, but on way lesser scale and lasted way shorter. Our partisans were active even when Khrushchev stopped the forced Russification of the Baltics (sending or killing natives and re-settling Russians), as our partisans, usually with 1 warning, killed or chased away those occupants. This is why in the most intense period of russification, Russians failed, and hence we have 81% ethnic Lithuanians, 12% ethnic Poles who are of no trouble at all and lived here for 100's of years, and only 6-7% of Russians, who are way better integrated than Russians in Estonia or Latvia.

@@aivarasdarulis okay, but youre the integrated russian in Lithuania, right? So you would not get it.

@@gustavskalnare7874 I am as ethnically Lithuanian as it gets, on paternal and maternal side. We did our family tree research thing, if you like, on father's side up until 1850's everyone was Lithuanian. On mother's side, for legal purpose, she had to prove that some land belongs to us, her family tree is absolutely Lithuanian, all from Panevėžys-Ukmergė back till 1780's. Any mixture before that would be unlikely anyways. But it does not matter really. Hating on Russians who are loyal to us is literally stupid and harmful, especially in Latvia and Estonia.

Au contraire, artistic painting on cities walls are encouraged and subsidized by corresponding municipalities and even official travel agencies offer a route to observe local wall art.

Donatai atvaryk į Vilnių pažiūrėk oficialas sankcionuotas graffiti sienas po tiltais ir požeminėse perėjose, gal susidarys kitoks įspūdis? Atrodo nežinai pats iš kur kilęs.

Thanks for pointing this out. It's also annoying that it says “states” where all are countries with different languages and cultures .

@@tiram12 Lithuanian here, no one really cares how are our 3 countries are called. The only people who care about the language describing us - are our 3 countries. That's like saying, the Baltics are Northern countries, not Eastern, but ultimately the only people who think that are us.

Only in terms of language. We are and always will be Baltic nation simply by the geography. It is like Mediterranean countries grouped by the Mediterranean sea. Also, why would anyone be butthurt because of someone calling us Baltic? We also have as much or even more in common with Latvia as we do with Finland. We will forever be in limbo between nordic and baltic cultures, because thats exactly what we are, somewhere in between.

@laurynasl8286 Indeed, i wouldn't call Lithuania a northern country however Estonia and even possibly Latvia would apply. Estonians have many similar traditions that are same with the rest of the Nordic countries. Estonia and Finland even share the music of their hymn.

​@@zcatharsis what you speak here, is Baltic Rim - inclusive to everyone around that sea. not just language, but in several other aspects as well... Like Latvians and Lithuanian are the Balts, Estonians are Finnic (related to Kvens, Livonians, Karjalans, Finns through language and on folkloric grounds - just like Sardinians are to French and Romanians). Balts are fine, but this avoids oddities like "mutual intelligibility between the Estonian and Latvian?" or "traditional Lithuanian folk dance Kaerajaan and the national dish mulgipudru hülgelihaga kamakastmes" ...

@@MrZRager i dont even speak russian lmao

Lituanie. Kaunas... Je vous souhaite la victoire sur les meurtriers - les commissaires rouges Gloire à l'Ukraine et aux forces armées ukrainiennes !!!

Bru literally today Russia desided that some part of Estonia sea is now Russian. If u aint training ur body mind and maybe some deffence for your family ant communty its aint go bruh. Im frome Lithunia following Ukraine war since day 1 learded comoflague compiuters cyper seciurty and now whna be like csi crime investigator whna hellp poor peoplle :( im aint afraid of Russia and whill insta come to Estonia to hellp❤

@saldussapnai3464 You're doing exactly what everyone should be. However most likely you're replying to the soft propaganda kremlinbot. Not to watch or trust news and discrediting all sources, staple methods. Besides apparently done without actually watching the video, which is far from fearmongering.

​@@saldussapnai3464your englitch so bad and your paranoia so deep I'm more scared of what YOU might do

Do you think Russia have logic?I very good remembering when not so long time ago everybody was laughing about Russia invasion in Ukraine..now whos laughing?

The reason is a buffer space, as it was in USSR and before that, Russian Empire, days. Also usable in winter ports like Klaipėda or Liepaja, and proper land connection with Belorus and Kaliningrad. Do not be naive, they always had and do and will have their eyes and deviant ideas on us. We Lithuanians have them as an enemy since Moscovia became a dutchy, then tsardom, then empire, later a union under Bolsheviks. Unlike our Baltic brothers, we had our statehood for 800 years and all this time these bastards from the East, in some shape or form, every 20-50-100 years try us. You sufferred no less but you had other entities to take care of that for you (Crusaders, Germans, Danes, Swedes), whereas we, and later, Poles, were the ones who for 800 years were holding either Mongols or Russians to advance into Europe.

They also had no reason to invade us in 1940, yet they did.

+15 roubles

Whats wrong with that? They guy told you, he hates guns, but he doesn't want war. That's why he joined.

It is not really paramilitary. Just volunteer civilian service in the state's armed forces.

In the baltic countries paramilitary groups are strictly non political groups that are armed by and work with the government and the armed forces. There aren't several of them, just one for each country. They are pretty much meant for people who want to defend their country against invasions but don't want to join the military as career soldiers. In there one gets military training usually during weekends and they participate in military exercises. It's essentially like national guard in the U.S except it can't be deployed and is strictly for homeland defense.

@@SV-yf4et Si vis pacem para bellum - nihil novi sub sole . What the other option would you suggest? To collaborate with the enemy? Pretend that nothing's happening?

​@fidenemini111 I could think of many things to do instead of living in fear or feeling like I need to protect something my own government cares little about

So you could ask

because they went through a lenghty process of harmonising legislation with EU standards, passed many checks - Baltics states are among top in the world in human, media, economic and political freedoms.

Why not? They are doing better than Greece or Portugal for expample on so many different levels.

@@rh7018 what rubbish 🤣

@@Blanka1100 greece and portugal shouldn’t have been allowed in either

Wrong. It was a complete success in economical, developmental and civilizational sense. Russia's violent reaction to it's shrinking influence and lack of soft power was and still is the greatest mistake, along in part with the West's reluctance to defend it's values the hard way when the time comes.

@@Vladasization You are talking with a Russian Troll. Chill

@@ziggyjewelry I'm chill. Just trying to counter those false arguments for those who may read it.

The RussBot is here, I was wondering when one of you will show up.

@@Vladasization There is no point arguing, don't waste your time.

NATO didn't poke anyone here, the bear is not some sleeping teddy bear but aggressive and murderous monster so all Fascist Russia's democratic neighbors are seeking protection.

If NATO is to be blamed for something, then it is only for too weak and reluctant response towards Russia's aggression.

Bear has rabies.

The bear should poke and assault NATO when the bear is ready and willing instead, right?

bear :DDD haha more like lice

Go to Russia, so your sentence can look like - Slava Ruzzia love from Ruzzia

Tai ir varyk į tavo savo Rasija, o ne čia linkėjimus siuntęs iš Lietuvos

Пнх! Троль 😡👊

Go to your country Lithuanias don't need you

No, you both go in the corner for the shame of posting what you did

Thinking is not for everyone 😅 Give up.

@@WhatsNextt Literally in first minutes of this video Russian media pundits are salivating over the idea of invading/destroying the Baltics. Including an ex general.

@@WhatsNextt Russian state media suggests invading/nuking it few times a month usually, you not hearing it doesn't mean shit.

​@@WhatsNextt where you from expert?

@@edvinas111 netherlands

I guess they had no connections in Latvia. I live very near the place they filmed, but looks like they did with what they had. At least they showed the cohezion aspect of Latvian occupation consequences and the Russian opposition journalists spoke the truth. Strange choice, but it did not harm us. Tbh, if you chose randomly a person from Jūrmala, 50/50 it would be a Russian speaker. There should have been some Latvians too though, i wonder why they didn't organise it. It looks like they didn't have any Arte journalists and contacts in Latvia.

Nothing wrong with speaking Russian. It's the native language of 35% of Latvians.

@@yts4106Nothing wrong with speaking Russian indeed. I also speak freely if I choose to. Yet it would be cooler if journalist would at least present information in English as others in LT and EE did.

Because she is a Latvian national. All you people who are just like Western equivallent of Social Justice Warriors and get triggerred by literally everything. Stop embarrassing us. Your ancestors would be ashamed of you. Go get firearm licences, serve in the Army, be prepared. Instead of trying to prove something to people who do not care about you. Don't get surprised when the "biggest patriots" flee when the war starts, and all the maks will fall off. If a person is loyal to the country for real, let them speak whatever language they want. Don't you see what your policies have done already? You have almost half of population who hates you, is not integrated and loves Russia. Pushing them away even more will only make shit worse for you.

@@yts4106 Latvian population not Latvians. And Bozhena is russian, so as all those willas in Jurmala.