this post was submitted on 02 Jan 2026
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Global News

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cross-posted from: https://hexbear.net/post/7224815

From January 1, 2026, Latvia is set to prohibit the teaching of Russian as a second foreign language in schools.

Starting the same date, Russian-language TV and radio broadcasting will be banned in state media. Additionally, the VAT on sales of Russian-language books will increase to 21%.

These measures aim to reduce the presence of the Russian language and strengthen the role of the Latvian language in society.

Russian is the native language for 36% of Latvians.^[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_language_in_Latvia]

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[–] Peruvian_Skies@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I'm confused. So bilinguals in Latvia can't learn Russian but everyone else can?

[–] hemko@lemmy.dbzer0.com 12 points 2 days ago (1 children)

First foreign language is always English, then later they can choose a 2nd foreign language to study, now restricted to official languages of EU countries

Latvia has a very large Russian minority, over 20% of the population, so Russian has been popular language to pick - partially because many schools just may not have (enough) teachers for other options

Thank you for the clarification. I really was confused.

[–] ryannathans@aussie.zone 1 points 2 days ago

That's insane, IIRC Ukraine tried the same but that didn't seem to go so well for them

[–] bluGill@fedia.io -1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Russian is useful to know if you are a spy but otherwise not worth it

[–] undefined@lemmy.hogru.ch 7 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I think a language’s usefulness is rather subjective and subject to experience: I love learning all sorts of languages that I have no daily exposure to but I wouldn’t say knowing them is “useless.”

[–] bluGill@fedia.io -1 points 1 day ago

normally I'd agree but the language in question here is russian that currently needs to die for political reasons. Too bad, it is a pretty language from the little I've heard it.