Soviet laws and also restructurings in the economy and society led to a gradual diminishing of the number of practising Old Believers and the closure of prayer-houses, especially in rural locations. Thorough collectivisation, which had destroyed the earlier way of life, and migration from rural areas led to the ruin of traditional Old Believer communities. The number of communities was reduced by a third during the years of Soviet rule, their activities being limited to religious matters. >>

After Latvia became part of the USSR the Latvian Orthodox Church was returned to the jurisdiction of the Patriarchy of Moscow. Church life entered an uneasy period of fighting for survival in an atheist state. Churches were closed and destroyed. Many clergymen suffered repressions. Part of the congregation abandoned the church, fearing persecution. But even in these difficult circumstances the Orthodox Church continued to bring the light of faith to the people. >>

The Baltic republics of the USSR were distinguished by a higher level of freedom of speech in comparison with other parts of the Soviet Union. Soviet Youth was the only Soviet newspaper to print interviews with Boris Yeltsin when he was an opposition politician. The paper provided efficient reporting of the bloody events in Baku and Tbilisi in the late 80s. In fact, all of the present day Russian press of Latvia follows the traditions laid down by the editorial staff of Soviet Youth.  >>

After the end of the Second World War Latvia once again became a republic of the USSR. Restoration of the economy destroyed by war began. At the same time the painful transition to a socialist economic system was also resumed. During war time and Stalin’s repressions, Latvia lost almost a third of its population. Therefore in the first post-war years there was a deficit in the labour force, including skilled workers. The integration of Latvia into the united economic space of the USSR, the development of new industry, mass-scale construction and transport demanded a migration of the labour force. >>

Russian cultural figures in Latvia have always had to work in difficult conditions, overcoming natural and artificial restrictions. But by their work and talent have succeeded not only in becoming part of the country’s cultural elite, but also in promoting Latvia abroad. >>

After the Second World War under Soviet rule the cultural life of Latvian Russians underwent substantial changes.  >>