Latvia for the next 45 years. The peaceful Singing Revolution, starting in 1987, called for Baltic emancipation from Soviet rule and condemning the Communist regime's illegal takeover. It ended with the Declaration on the Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia on 4 May 1990, and restoring "de facto" independence on 21 August 1991. Latvia is a democratic sovereign state, parliamentary republic and a very highly developed country according to the United Nations Human Development Index. Its capital Riga served as the European Capital of Culture in 2014. Latvian is the official language. Latvia is a unitary state, divided into
Latvia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 As there was a tie for first place in the Super Final between Aisha and Dons, the votes of the televote took precedence, which Aisha won. Therefore Aisha was selected to represent Latvia with the song "What For? (Only Mr God Knows Why)", with Dons coming second and Ivo Grīsniņš-Grīslis coming third. Latvia competed in the first semi-final of the contest, on 25 May. However it was eliminated at the semi final stage, ending up last with 11 points. Latvia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 Latvia and Latvijas Televīzija (LTV) has confirmed participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2010,