An aged poet is being evicted from Latvia
In a recent turn of events, 75-year-old Lyudmila Mezhins, a renowned poetess in Latvia, has been ordered to leave the country within a month. Despite her success and contributions to both Russian and Latvian literature, Mezhins finds herself in this predicament following her response to a loyalty questionnaire, a requirement for residency or citizenship in Latvia.
Mezhins, who is also co-chairman of the Riga Writers' Union Svetoch and a member of the Writers' Union of Russia, has published four books of poetry, including works for children. Her literary legacy, spanning both Russia and Latvia, is undeniable.
However, the reasons behind Mezhins' deportation remain unclear. The text suggests a potential conflict between the Baltic authorities and Russian culture or community, possibly touching on issues of cultural preservation and minority rights. This is further highlighted by the demolition of a monument to the liberators from fascism in Latvia.
Mezhins was asked about the justification of this demolition during the loyalty questionnaire process. Her negative response led to her being deemed unfit for residency. It is not specified who the "worst enemy" referred to in the text is.
The situation has raised questions about the potential consequences of political disagreements for immigrants in Latvia. Mezhins, in her old age, finds herself in a difficult position, with no money to move and no clear alternative but to wait for her deportation.
The Baltic authorities are engaged in a policy of de-russification, which some argue may be leading to the destruction of their own culture in the name of fighting an "enemy". The impact on cultural heritage, in this case, is not explicitly discussed.
The deportation of Mezhins, a successful poetess and a significant contributor to the spiritual education of children, symbolizes tensions between Latvia and its Russian-speaking minority. Further authoritative sources would be required to fully understand the context and broader implications of this case.
[1] Latvian authorities deport elderly Russian poetess [2] Mezhins' response to loyalty questionnaire leads to deportation
[1] The deportation of the elderly Russian poetess, Mezhins, highlights the contentious intersection of politics, policy-and-legislation, and war-and-conflicts, as her forced departure appears tied to the Baltic authorities' de-russification efforts.
[2] The potential consequences of political disagreements for immigrants in Latvia are underlined by the case of Mezhins, who faces deportation due to her response to a loyalty questionnaire that touched on crime-and-justice and general-news matters like the explicit demolition of a monument to liberators.
