Memorial sites and burials of refugees from Kurzeme and Zemgale in Cēsis

In 1914, the "Latvian Aid Committee for the City and Surroundings of Cēsis" was established in Cēsis, which in turn was divided into sub-committees: refugee registration, hospitals, kindergarten, catering, shoe-making, etc. The locals who had settled in Cēsis.

From August 1915 to May 2018, the First Refugee Hospital operated in Cēsis, where 2130 patients were treated. On August 24, 1915, a 50-bed refugee hospital and outpatient clinic for communicable diseases was opened in Cēsis, Jaunā (now Piebalgas) Street 6, Dr. med. Led by E. Akermanis (1878-1954). His wife, doctor V. Treigute-Akermane (1883-1970), managed the second refugee infirmary and outpatient clinic opened in Cēsis. In April 1916, Latvian doctors were also represented by Dr. med. E. Akermanis from Cēsis. In a statement to Cēsis Avīze, the Baltic Refugee Supply Committee reminded Cēsis that "patients with especially contagious diseases are immediately admitted to refugee hospitals".
Eba Krēmane, a senior nurse (1875–1942), is mentioned in the memories of that time as a symbol of self-denial and mercy. The pastor prof. Led by Voldemārs Maldoņš (1870-1941).

Despite the efforts, around 700 refugees died in the epidemics alone. They are buried in Leja and Bērzaine cemeteries.

On February 17, 1933, a refugee committee met in Riga, which decided to "act as a unit at the Cēsis City Congregation with the aim of collecting and decorating refugee cemeteries, as well as erecting memorials in Cēsis and surrounding cemeteries."
By May 1935, 6883.20 lats had been donated.
On February 11, 1936, an agreement was made with the sculptor Kārlis Jansons (1896-1986) on the construction of monuments in the cemeteries of Leja and Bērzaine. Both monuments were unveiled on June 14, 1936, and they cost 4,600 lats.

In the lower cemetery, above the base of the square, rises a roughly granite stele, the upper part of which has a bronze cross. Below this is a message in bronze:

REMEMBER
THIS IS GOD IN PEACE
SHOOTING
96 KURZEMES
AND ZEMGALES
REFUGEES
1915-1918

In the Bērzaine cemetery, granite steps lead up a hill, where a steeple rises above the two-step base. On the smoothly treated granite surface there is a bronze cross, under which the words in bronze letters:

REMEMBER HERE
GOD IN PEACE
472 KURZEME AND
ZEMGALE REFUGEES
1915-1918

The return of refugees and prisoners of war began as early as 1919, ie immediately after the establishment of the new Latvian state. However, mass re-emigration took place in 1920-1921. year, when almost 200 thousand people returned. People also went home between 1922 and 1927, but the number of returnees became smaller and smaller.