| Lettonia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Founded | 1882, reestablished 1989 Tartu University |
| Type | Literary and fencing |
| Affiliation | Independent |
| Status | Active |
| Scope | Local |
| Motto | Vitam, salutem, veritatem (Life, prosperity, truth) |
| Colors | Green, Blue, and Gold |
| Symbol | Rapier |
| Flag |  |
| Chapters | 1 |
| Members | 400 active |
| Headquarters | Rūpniecības iela 4a Riga LV-1010 Latvia |
| Website | lettonia |
Lettonia is a Latvian student fraternity, called a corporation in Latvia.
Students at Tartu University established the fraternity Tērbata Latvian in 1882. [1] [2] Its current name, Lettonia, was adopted on February 20, 1882, when the government allowed the ethic-Latvian fraternity to incorporate. [1] [3] It expanded to the University of Latvia. [4]
In this era, activities included cultural activities, oratory, singing, and festival banquets. [3] Membership was limited to ethnic Latvians; Jews, Russians, and Germans were not allowed to join. [2] A modern historian notes that this was consistent with Latvia at the time—unwelcoming to those who were not of its own. [2]
Members of Lettonia fought for their country during World War I. [1] During the occupation of Latvia, the fraternity ceased its operations. [1] Some members were imprisoned while others managed to emigrate to safety. [1] Before World War II, there were an estimated 500 members still in Latvia. [1] At least seven members were early Nazi collaborators under the leadership of Lettonia member Viktors Arājs. [2] [1] Arājs set up Nazi recruitment tables in front of the Lettonia headquarters. [2] The Lettonia presence was common enough amongst the Latvian–German collaborators that the Jews of the Riga ghetto called their guards "Arājsen Burschen" or "Arājs's fraternity brothers". [2] However, more than half of the Lettonia membership had left Latvia by the end of the war. [1]
In 1989, Latvia was again free and the restored country's statutes were adopted on May 18, 1989. [1] Rector J. Zakis approved the restoration of Lettonia to the country's colleges on July 4, 1989. [1] Lettonia accepted its first class of new members in the fall of 1989. [1] In 2020, it had around 150 (Latvian : pusotrs simts) with about 250 members living outside Latvia. [5]
The fraternity's name was selected based on the Latin version of their country's name. [2]
Its motto is "vitam, salutem, veritatem" or "Life, prosperity, truth". [5] The rapier is its symbol, representing masculinity and courage. [5]
The fraternity holds literary evenings which are designed to expand its members' knowledge of topics such as art, history, literature, and science. [5] and fencing. [5] Fencing is also an important activity, included to help members to overcome fear and develop heroism. [5]
