The Baltic republics of the USSR were distinguished by a higher level of freedom of speech in comparison with other parts of the Soviet Union. Soviet Youth was the only Soviet newspaper to print interviews with Boris Yeltsin when he was an opposition politician. The paper provided efficient reporting of the bloody events in Baku and Tbilisi in the late 80s. In fact, all of the present day Russian press of Latvia follows the traditions laid down by the editorial staff of Soviet Youth.  >>

The Riga Theatre for Young Spectators was founded in 1940. Since 1946, the Latvian and Russian troupes  worked in the theatre. The performances of the theatre were popular both with young spectators and among people of mature age. In 1992, despite the public protests, the theatre was closed. >>