Latviešu trimda un Trešā atmoda (1988–1990): starp tradīciju un revolūciju

The Latvian exile community during the post-war period had acquired and reenforced a well-founded mistrust toward everything and everybody originating from the occupied Latvia, including the Latvian intellectuals and cultural workers. At the same time, it had never completely lost hope for the restoration of Latvia’s independence. The Third Awakening in Latvia forced a choice: whether to cooperate with the Popular Front or to maintain caution and ideological purity. This choice raised existential questions regarding the nature and role of exile. The sources of exile origin reflect the clash of the choice between these two options and show the process whereby the exile community accepted the new situation and participated in the revolutionary developments. This process, from the first news about changes in Latvia to full cooperation and involvement, took only a couple of years, beginning with the support of some activists and culminating with the involvement of exile organizations in the restoration of independence.