At the very beginning of the history of independent Latvia in 1919 the University of Latvia (UL) was set up on the basis of the former Polytechnic of Riga and has become the main centre for scientific and pedagogical specialists, amongst whom a relatively small but important group of Russian academic intelligentsia can be noted. >>

In December 1919 Latvia’s People’s Council (temporary parliament of the new-born state) passed laws on the educational establishments of Latvia and on the organisation of minority schools in Latvia, according to which national minorities had the right to autonomy in creating and running their schools. Within the Ministry of Education national departments were created, including the Russian Department. >>