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“Freedom for us is a great treasure and independence is something worth defending.” Meet Corporal Eduards Vovks, a member of the Latvian Honour Guard.

Corporal Eduards Vovks is a member of the Latvian Honour Guard, whose duty it is to protect the Freedom Monument in central Riga and the Riga Castle. For him, freedom is a great treasure and independence is something worth defending.

1. (00:00) VARIOUS SHOTS - LATVIAN CEREMONIAL GUARDS PARADE NEXT TO FREEDOM MONUMENT IN RIGA, LATVIA
2. (00:25) VARIOUS AERIAL SHOTS – LATVIAN CEREMONIAL GUARDS DURING PARADE, RIGA FREEDOM MONUMENT
3. (00:49) VARIOUS SLOW MOTION SHOTS - LATVIAN CEREMONIAL GUARDS WALK DOWN CORRIDOR IN BUILDING
4. (01:03) VARIOUS SLOW MOTION SHOTS - LATVIAN CEREMONIAL GUARDS PARADE BY RIGA FREEDOM MONUMENT IN LATVIA
5. (02:36) SOUNDBITE (LATVIAN) – CORPORAL EDUARDS VOVKS, LATVIAN HONOUR GUARD COMPANY

“Freedom for us is a great treasure and independence is something worth defending.”

1. (02:44) SOUNDBITE (LATVIAN) – CORPORAL EDUARDS VOVKS, LATVIAN HONOUR GUARD COMPANY

“It’s an Honour Guard’s duty to protect the Freedom Monument and the Riga Castle, as well as participate in military ceremonies and official state events representing Latvia.”

1. (02:55) SOUNDBITE (LATVIAN) – CORPORAL EDUARDS VOVKS, LATVIAN HONOUR GUARD COMPANY

“We have our own uniform, our own weapon. You have to be at least 1.80-1.85 metres tall. You have to learn how to use the weapons and of course the routine.”

1. (03:06) SOUNDBITE (LATVIAN) – CORPORAL EDUARDS VOVKS, LATVIAN HONOUR GUARD COMPANY

“Behind me is the Freedom Monument. For people it symbolises independence, something we fought for in the past. Therefore the Honour Guard is here to show that we protect our freedom.”