Zili dzeltenā Rīga
Riga in Yellow and Blue

Summary/Abstract: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022 immediately drew condemnation from democracies worldwide, prompting calls for action at both official and societal levels. In the early days of the war, Riga’s public urban landscape, particularly the historic city centre, underwent noticeable changes, as it became increasingly adorned with the blue and yellow colours of the Ukrainian flag. This symbolic display of support for Ukraine, expressed through visual mediums such as flags, protest artworks, clothing, and accessories, reveals the civic solidarity and wartime activism of Latvian society. The article is part of a broader study encompassing visual ethnography and urban studies, focusing specifically on the 2022 online survey titled Ukrainian Flags in Latvia. Through thematic analysis, the article aims to address the research question: How do individuals manifest and justify the use of the Ukrainian flag and its colour symbolism on a personal level? Insights from the responses of 93 participants shed light on their individual experiences, motivating factors, and personal reasons for displaying Ukrainian flags and colours in Riga and other locations across Latvia. Furthermore, engagement with the ongoing war in Ukraine and interaction with war refugees have contributed to a deeper understanding of Ukrainian culture among respondents. The survey responses also offer reflections on the challenges of living in geopolitically uncertain conditions and evidence of conflicts arising from clashes of values and beliefs.

• Details
• Contents