Table of Contents
Celebration in New York
The Council of Latvian Organizations New York celebrated the national holiday in New York, USA, in the building of the local congregation in Latvia. The Ambassador of Latvia to the UN, Sanita Pavļuta Deslandes gave a speech to the guests of the celebration.
The audience was delighted with the student choirs of Latvian schools in New York and New Jersey, who received warm applause from the audience. The students were also joined by musician Arta Jēkabone, who performed the song “Tik and Tā” by Ulda Stabulnieks with the young talents.
Artas Jēkabson’s concert program “Rotā rudens, Rotā saule” included the songs of Jānis Lūsēns and Raimonds Paulus, three original works and a cover of folk songs. A special atmosphere was created with the song “Oidche dhorcha, feur uaine” and the preview of the folk song “The sun goes down in the evening”.
After the concert program, the holiday guests listened to the speech of the President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs and watched the folk dance concert “Dress, sun, silver” in the church building.
At the end of the celebration, the guests gave donations to Ukraine.
Holidays in Tbilisi
Latvia’s 106th birthday was celebrated in Tbilisi, Georgia throughout Patriots’ Week, starting with Lāčpleš Day, when the Freedom Fighters were celebrated. The candles were lit at an event organized by the Latvian community and diplomats, where the defenders of Latvia’s independence were symbolically honored. On the same day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave letters of thanks to active relatives in Georgia, appreciating their contribution to the strengthening of society, according to the organizers.
The closing events of the 30th anniversary of the Georgian Latvian Association “Avesol” were significant. They included a photo exhibition that showed the life and activities of Latvians in Georgia, as well as receiving the new flag of the society, symbolizing the unity and stability of the community.
On November 14, the Embassy of Latvia in Tbilisi organized a formal ceremony. Local Latvians, cooperation partners and friends were invited.
Celebrations in Dublin
The Independence Day of the Republic of Latvia was celebrated in Ireland on a very large scale this year – nearly 200 comrades from different cities gathered in Dublin.
According to Inguna Grietiņa-Dārziņa, the chairman of the Latvian Association in Ireland, the event started with a story about the history of the founding of Latvia and the events of 1918 in the National Theatre.
In the concert, which was opened by the choir “eLVé” with “Saule. Pérkons. Daugava.” and “Singing the Latvian people”, 14 art groups from different cities in Ireland and Latvia, as well as Northern Ireland, took part. Members were honored by presenting the “Latvian heartwork in Ireland” award, confirming their significant contribution to community life. Thanks were also given to more than 70 young families whose children participated in the concert, strengthening the connection with Latvian culture.
Photo: Julia Sereda and Aleksandrs Patkovskis Photo: Julia Sereda and Aleksandrs Patkovskis Photo: Julia Sereda and Aleksandrs Patkovskis Photo: Julia Sereda and Aleksandrs Patkovskis Photo: Julia Sereda and Aleksandrs Patkovskis Photo: Julia Sereda and Aleksandrs Patkovskis Photo: Julia Sereda and Aleksandrs Patkovskis Photo: Julia Sereda and Aleksandrs Patkovskis Photo: Julia Sereda and Aleksandrs Patkovskis Photo: Julia Sereda and Aleksandrs Patkovskis
Celebrations in Milan
Latvians living in northern Italy gathered in Milan to celebrate. Those present were welcomed by Elita Gavele, the Ambassador of Latvia to Italy, who highlighted in her speech the importance of the community in preserving the identity of Latvia.
The emotional end of the event was the performances by students of Latvian children’s schools in Milan and Bologna – poems and songs. This was followed by the singing of “Saule” by the Latvian Choir in Milan, in which a wide range of songs by the choir of Latvian composers was sung. On the other hand, the theater “Momento”, had organized a literary exhibition about Latvian traditions, says the Embassy of Latvia in Italy.
Photo: ALISI – Italian and Italian Society of Latvia and Embassy of Latvia in Italy
Photo: ALISI – Italian and Italian Society of Latvia and Embassy of Latvia in Italy
Photo: ALISI – Italian and Italian Society of Latvia and Embassy of Latvia in Italy
Photo: ALISI – Italian and Italian Society of Latvia and Embassy of Latvia in Italy
Photo: ALISI – Italian and Italian Society of Latvia and Embassy of Latvia in Italy
Photo: ALISI – Italian and Italian Society of Latvia and Embassy of Latvia in Italy
Photo: ALISI – Italian and Italian Society of Latvia and Embassy of Latvia in Italy
Photo: ALISI – Italian and Italian Society of Latvia and Embassy of Latvia in Italy
Signs in Bergen
In Bergen, Norway, Latvia’s birthday event was attended by 150 comrades who came from near and far. The centerpiece of the celebration was a holiday concert created by the community’s creative groups.
Guests from Latvia – Katrīna Kovaļukas, Patriks Piternieks and Krišjānis Brasliņš created a special atmosphere at the celebration.
The progress of the event was based on the shoulders of Latvian volunteers from Bergen, who spent their time and energy to create a warm and loving celebration, reflects Ilga Švāne, head of the Latvian Association in Norway-Bergen.
Photo: Kristofers Goldmanis and Ilga Švane Photo: Kristofers Goldmanis and Ilga Švane Photo: Kristofers Goldmanis and Ilga Švane Photo: Kristofers Goldmanis and Ilga Švane Photo: Kristofers Goldmanis and Ilga Švane Photo: Kristofers Goldmanis and Ilga Švane Photo: Kristofers Goldmanis and Ilga Švane Photo: Kristofers Goldmanis and Ilga Švane Photo: Kristofers Goldmanis and Ilga Švane
Celebrations in Graz
Latvian Cultural Association Graz gathered comrades in Austria to celebrate both the 106th anniversary of Latvia and the 10th anniversary of the association. The name and motto of the event – “Together” – was implemented by honoring the achievements of the community and enjoying the concert together, according to the organizers.
The special guests of the celebration were the “Rīga” mixed choir of Riga Stradins University.
The leaders of the association expressed their gratitude to all the supporters and members who contributed to the preservation of Latvian life in Graz.
Photo: Cultural Association Graz Latvia Photo: Cultural Association Graz Latvia Photo: Latvian Cultural Association Graz Photo: Latvian Cultural Association Graz Photo: Latvian Cultural Association Graz
Signs in Darwin
The Darwin Latvian Association organized the celebration inside “Trader Bar”, where guests were welcomed with refreshing cool air and freshly baked pies in the hot and humid Darwin. The event was opened by the chairman of the association Reinis Dancis, who explains that the celebration was supported thanks to the guests, including the highest officials of the Northern Territory and friends of the Latvian community.
In his speech, the president emphasized Latvia’s continued support to Ukraine and praised the success of Latvian athletes in 2024 – Kristaps Porziņgi as the NBA champion and Uvi Balinski as the Stanley Cup winner.
After the official speeches and the toast led by Lorija Zīo, the guests watched the speech of the President Edgars Rinkēvičs, sang the Latvian national anthem together and enjoyed the performance of the brass band “Tarnished Brass “.
2024-11-18 10:53:00
#Latvias #birthday #celebrated #diaspora #songs #awards #association #anniversaries #Article
1. How did the diaspora celebrate Latvia’s 106th anniversary?
2. What special guests were invited to the celebrations?
3. How did the Latvian community in Graz honor their association’s 10th anniversary?
4. What is the significance of the theme “Together” in the Latvian Cultural Association Graz Latvia’s celebration?
5. What challenges does the Latvian community in Darwin face while organizing events?
6. What role has the Darwin Latvian Association played in maintaining Latvian culture and identity in the community?
7. How do celebrations of Latvia’s independence day abroad differ from those in Latvia?
8. What impact does the association’s work have on the broader society’s understanding of Latvia and its diaspora?
9. What kind of support does the Latvian government provide to its diaspora communities?
10. How do you think Latvia can strengthen its ties with its diaspora communities worldwide?
