Latvian Saeima proposes to ban Russian subtitles from films

Deputies of the National Union government faction in the Latvian Saeima have drafted amendments to the Law on the State Language that would ban Russian subtitles in films.

This is reported by the Delfi portal.

The law "On the State Language" currently states that films, videos, and their fragments intended for public display must be dubbed or dubbed in the state language or provided with subtitles in the state language along with the original soundtrack. At the same time, the current version of the law allows the use of film titles in a foreign language.

MPs from the National Union propose to change the law so that films can be subtitled in the official languages of the EU, but not in Russian.

The annotation to the draft law states that the changes are necessary to strengthen the status of Latvian as the only state language in Latvia.

"Parallel film titles in two languages - Latvian and Russian - were introduced during the occupation. This practice not only discourages the study of the Latvian language but also creates the illusion that Latvia is part of the so-called "Russian world" where public information should also be provided in Russian. This undermines the creation of a unified society and strengthens the bicommunal environment in Latvia," the annotation to the draft law says.

The national association also recalls that the people of Latvia clearly rejected attempts to introduce a second state language alongside the Latvian language in a referendum. The purpose of the draft law is to facilitate the implementation of this decision.

According to the authors of the draft law, the changes will promote the integration of society and create an incentive for all Latvians to learn and use the Latvian language.

Author - Olena Madiak, 22/03/2023