Ability Guidebook: I Am Going to the Freedom Monument!
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Ability Guidebooks presents Explore Riga, Latvia! I Am Going To The Freedom Monument! A Step-by-Step Guide How To Visit This Important Place In Latvian History. by Brett Bigham In the center of Riga is the Freedom Monument. It is a famous monument that many people visit. s n o m m o C a i d e m i k i W - o s l e D o g e i D y B Let's go visit this important part of Latvia's history! These people are walking to the Freedom Monument. It is in a plaza right next to Kronvalda Park. It seems there are almost always people here so be ready for a crowd! These girls will stay close together so they don't get split up. Make sure you stay with your group! The Freedom monument has many statues and sculptures. This statue is at the very top of the column. It is called "Liberty." s n o m m o C a i d e m i k i W - s e h c n i y a r r u m s y B The base of the column has stone sculptures all around. Let's walk around the base and look at some of the Sculptures. s n o m m o C a i d e m i k i W - e z o r n i a k y B This sculpture is called "Guards of the Fatherland." s n o m m o C a i d e m i k i W - a b m u r c e V J s r e t e P y B This sculpture is called "The Bear Slayer." s n o m m o C a i d e m i k i W - a b m u r c e V J s r e t e P y B This is a diagram of the Freedom Monument. s n o m m o C a i d e m i k i W - l i X y B Diagram of Freedom Monument in Riga (viewed from top), it shows were different parts of the monument are located. 1 - Brīvība/Liberty. Gray sculpture group: 2 - Latvija/Latvia, 3 - Lācplēsis (Latvian epic hero), 4 - Važu rāvēji/Chain breakers, 5 - Vaidelotis (ancient pagan priest). Reliefs on panels: 6 - Tēvzemei un Brīvībai/For Fatherland and Freedom, 7 - 1905/1905. gads, 8 - Cīņa pret bermontiešiem uz Dzelzs tilta/The Battle against the Bermontians on the Iron Bridge. Red sculpture group: 9 - Tēvzemes sargi/Guards of the Fatherland, 10 - Darbs/Work, 11 - Gara darbinieki/Scholars, 12 - Ģimene/Family. Reliefs on sides: 13 - Latvju strēlnieki/Latvian riflemen, 14 - Latvju tauta - dziedātāja/Latvian people: the Singers. Please note that this drawing is not to scale. Sometimes there are guards at the Freedom Monument. They are called The Company of Guard of Honor. s n o m m o C a i d e m i k i W - s e h c n i y a r r u m s y B Don't bother the guards. They are doing their job. The Guard of Honor stand at attention. It is OK to take their pictures but they like people to stay out of their personal space. s n o m m o C a i d e m i k i W - s e h c n i y a r r u m s y B Nearby is the Latvian National Opera. Many people who visit the Freedom Monument also visit the Opera. s n o m m o C a i d e m i k i W - o s l e D o g e i D y B Kronvaldi Park is a great place to sit and rest. This man found a bench in the shade and is taking a break. These people are all taking a break in the park! Maybe you will find a bench to sit on. Some people like to visit the monument at night. They turn on bright lights that make the monument shine in the dark. I hope you have a great visit to the Freedom Monument! Ability Guidebooks are step-by-step instructions on how to access community destinations. For many people with autism and neuro-diversity, new situations can cause stress and discomfort. Ability Guidebooks help prepare people for new experiences. This is why I emphasize the places to sit and areas to relax. This book will also help general ed teachers prepare their young students for a visit to The Freedom Monument. Can You T ranslate? If you can translate this book into Latvian or any other language I would love to h ear from you! Brett Bigham is the 2014 Oregon State Teacher of the Year and an NEA National Award for Teaching Excellence winner. Bigham is the first Oregon Special Education teacher to win these awards. Bigham was named a Global Fellow by the NEA Foundation and traveled to Peru as an ambassador of that program. This allowed Bigham to create his first international Ability Guidebook for the Museo de Inka in Cusco, Peru. He has since made books for twelve countries in five languages! Text and Photos by Brett Bigham unless otherwise noted. Thank you to the city of Riga. It is an incredible city to visit! Visit MrBsClassroom.com for more Ability Guidebooks. .