Riga - Latvian President Valdis Zatlers launched a national history project Friday in the suitably historic surroundings of Riga Castle.

Zatlers recorded a brief piece of video in which he talks about Latvia from a personal perspective.

His contribution will be added to an online library of interviews with ordinary Latvians which has been created at the website www. collectivememory. tv.

The hope is that as video clips are added to the 40 currently online, an authentic aural history of the Baltic nation will be established, distinct from academic history.

Titled "Collective Memory," the aural history project is the brainchild of local entrepreneur Eriks Stendzineks who told an audience of local dignitaries at the launch event that he wanted to use the internet precisely because it is not censored or regulated.

"We have stories from those who fought with the Legion and we have stories from the Red Army," Stendzinieks said, referring to the controversial history of the Second World War in which Latvians fought on both sides.

"Small stories are just as interesting as big stories," Stendzinieks said, adding that the project would give a chance for voices to be heard even from remote areas of forest and swamp.

Latvia marks 90 years since it first declared its independence on November 18 and the Collective Memory project is one of a series of events being organized as part of the celebrations. (dpa)