Latvian Freedom Fountain

Located in the median of Cascade Avenue, the Freedom Fountain was erected in 1970 to commemorate Latvia’s declaration of independence in November of 1918 and as a memorial to that country’s struggle for freedom. Since 1949, thousands of Latvian refugees have found freedom and opportunity in the United States, and this fountain is a gift to Colorado Springs from the Latvian Ethnic Group Freedom Fountain Committee.

The fountain consists of a square basin in which stands an abstract representation of a kokle, or Latvian harp. The harp itself signifies a voice in the wilderness, a reference to a biblical story told in the book of Psalms in which a peace loving people are driven from their homes and hang harps from the trees.

The artist, Ansis Berzins, a Latvian refugee, moved with his family to Colorado Springs in 1950. He worked as a graphic artist for Alexander Film Company and worked at the Air Force Academy as an illustrator.