The past in the Kārlis Ulmanis’ speeches

Abstract

Kārlis Ulmanis is the key historical person of Latvian state. The formation and evolution of Latvian statehood was connected with his name. The aim of this article is to define some features of the model of the past formed by K. Ulmanis’ speeches delivered after the coup d’etat (15 May, 1934). The structural and semantic analysis of historical sources reveals such features of the “image” of the past as the recognition of Letts as themselves who are able to act independently; assertion of Letts’ political independence from extreme antiquity; ascertaining the Letts’ constant struggle for their land; acknowledgment of the strangers as the only enemy. The attitude towards the past formed by K. Ulmanis’ speeches is characterized by refusal from its comprehension, evaluation and utility. Such features of the model of the past as well as mode of the attitude towards it reveal a mythological component of the historical consciousness formed by K. Ulmanis’ speeches.