Over 4000 miles away in Northeastern Europe, the Latvian parliamentary elections were underway — and Diana Mednis a 50-year-old Ocean County, N.J., resident was determined to cast her ballot. So, she drove an hour to the Latvian Society of Philadelphia in Northern Liberties on Saturday to participate in the polls.
Latvia is celebrated for its ancient forests, white-sand beaches, stunning architecture, and proud people. The small Baltic nation of nearly 2 million, which won its ultimate independence from the crumbling Soviet Union in 1991, extends its democracy far beyond its borders. Latvian law offers its diaspora direct access to its elections. Latvian citizens and descendants with dual citizenship can cast same-day ballots at community polling stations across the world, many created by Latvian immigrants.
Founded in 1892, and with a claim to being the oldest Latvian social and cultural club anywhere outside of the homeland, the charming, rough-cut stone building on North 7th Street is one of 16 polling stations in the United States.
Latvian voters confront fears
With the Russian-Ukraine War still raging, and Russian President Vladimir Putin making veiled and unverified threats about Latvian security, Latvians everywhere confront existential fears about their hard-won independence.
Mednis, whose parents fled their home in a cart during World War II and eventually settled in New Jersey, was the second person to sign her name on the rolls Saturday. (Fifty-one people voted at the Latvian Society during the last election in 2022.)
“Freedom is always under threat everywhere,” she said, after casting her ballot. There were candidates from over 14 parties competing for 100 open seats. “If you don’t take care of it, somebody’s going to try and take things from you. So it’s important to vote here.”
Her father, Juris, was only 5 when his family fled Russian forces in a cart in 1942, she said.
“They had come to my father’s house looking to put them on the train to Siberia,” she said. “So his first memories are of my grandmother holding his mouth because they were hiding in the forest.”
A community’s beating heart
More than 3,000 people of Latvian descent live in Pennsylvania, with many concentrated in the Greater Philadelphia region and suburbs, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Established by Latvians who fled Tsarist Russia, the Latvian Society of Philadelphia has a beating heart of that community for 134 years.
Growing up in Bucks County, sisters Anna Berzins, 35, and Aleksandra Berzins, 30, recalled countless holidays and family celebrations in the building , when the savory aroma of traditional Latvian piragi — crescent-shaped baked rolls filled with bacon and onions — drifted from the kitchen and Latvian folk bands played on the stage. They remember how their grandfather, Alfons, always a devoted member, made sure the girls participated in the society’s performances and art shows. They learned Latvian history there, like how the country’s first period of independence ended in 1940, when Russian forces forcibly occupied and annexed it.
“It was a continuation of our culture,” said Aleksandra Berzins, adding that the sisters now bring their own children to the society. “It’s about passing on the language and traditions, and upholding our values. I think that our grandparents will be very proud that we were here.”
Laura Bērziņa, a society official, who works as the polling station manager, said the nonprofit remains vibrant — with well-attended folk shows and other events — but not without its struggles. Non-members can also rent out the society hall for events.
Election day represents the start of the society’s busiest season, she said, ushering in celebrations for Latvian Independence Day, and an annual Winter Holiday Market.
Later this month, the society will host a fundraiser to fix a leaky roof, she said.
Still, despite these challenges, the society survives, she said.
“It’s been a home away from home,” she said, before excusing herself to get back to her desk. There were voters to help.
