In Paris on 14 October 1991, Latvia’s name returned to one of the world’s most visible halls of culture and science: at the official admission ceremony at UNESCO headquarters, the red-white-red flag was carried in. It was not merely a gesture of protocol. A few weeks after the restoration of independence, the wave of international recognition brought Latvia into an organization concerned with schools, libraries, science, heritage and memory — in other words, with fields where a small state’s voice can carry far.

After August 1991, Latvia rapidly restored its place in international organizations. UNESCO membership enabled Latvian institutions to take part in programs for education, science and cultural heritage, and in 1994 the Latvian National Commission for UNESCO was established.