Blogs
Latest WikiLeaks release has few surprises regarding U.S.-Latvia relations
A June 1974 article in The New York Times raised questions about Soviet treatment of people seeking access to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, including naturalized U.S. citizen Arnolds Ozoliņš Sr., who had returned to Latvia to visit his mother. (Graphic by Latvians Online)
April 08, 2013
The latest release of diplomatic documents by the controversial WikiLeaks media organization contains few if any surprises about U.S. foreign policy regarding Latvia during the Cold War, but does rekindle some interesting stories.
Music
Album of Ziedonis poetry in song, performed by Latvian actresses, singers
April 07, 2013
On Wednesday, February 27th 2013, Latvia mourned the death of, arguably, the most beloved modern Latvian poet Imants Ziedonis at the age of 79. Ziedonis, whose career as a poet (and as an author of short prose) spanned decades, rose to prominence during Soviet times and grew further during the Latvian Reawakening in the 1980s and further still in the 21st century.
Dažādi
Foreign ministry outlines plans for cooperation with Latvian diaspora
February 21, 2013
More diplomats working with the diaspora, support for weekend schools, and cooperation in researching and preserving exile culture are among plans put forth in a just-released report from the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Dažādi
Diaspora leaders ask Saeima to ease dual citizenship for Australia, New Zealand, Brazil
February 11, 2013
Ethnic Latvians and Livs, as well as their descendants, should be allowed to obtain dual citizenship regardless of where they live in the world, diaspora community leaders have told a Saeima committee ahead of a crucial vote.
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Latvian Radio Choir performs classic Latvian choir songs
January 22, 2013
2012 was a year of many CD releases by the renowned Latvian Radio Choir.
Music
Egils Siliņš performs lieder on latest album
January 22, 2013
Famed Latvian bass-baritone Egils Siliņš has released his latest album, Schubert und Strauss Lieder, featuring solo performances of songs by Franz Schubert and Richard Strauss, accompanied on piano by Helmut Deutsch.
Music
Leģendas released to celebrate Ojārs Grīnbergs’ 70th
December 24, 2012
The Leģendas series, produced by the Latvian record label MicRec, continues with the third release, a compact disc featuring well known Latvian singer Ojārs Grīnbergs (MRCD 497), to celebrate Grīnbergs’ 70th birthday.
Music
Mediņš’ complete collection of Dainas just released
December 24, 2012
Now available for the first time on compact disc are the complete Dainas by Jānis Mediņš for solo piano.
Music
New Kamēr… CD with Latvian compositions about the moon
December 11, 2012
Youth choir Kamēr… have released their latest CD entitled Mēness dziesmas (KCD012). The CD is a companion piece to their 2008 recording World Sun Songs, which gathered 17 new compositions from international composers, all of which had themes related to the sun.
Music
Indie band Astro’n'out release fourth album
December 11, 2012
Latvia indie-rock band Astro’n’out have released their fourth album entitled Lauvas on the Latvian record label Avantis.
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Collection of final recordings a tribute to Stabulnieks
December 02, 2012
Perhaps the saddest event in the Latvian music world in 2012 was the death of composer Uldis Stabulnieks on September 27 at the age of 66.
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Vestards Šimkus’ new album features Wagner’s piano works
November 29, 2012
Renowned Latvian pianist Vestards Šimkus (known internationally as Vestard Šimkus) has released his latest album Wagner Idyll on the German ARS produktion label (ARS 38 123), containing four solo piano pieces by Richard Wagner.
Dažādi
Radio show aimed at Latvians abroad plans broadcast on citizenship law
November 23, 2012
A new radio program devoted to Latvians abroad plans a live broadcast examining pending changes to the homeland’s Citizenship Law, according to the show’s producers.
Music
Collection of choir compositions by Latvian Radio Chamber Singers
November 13, 2012
The Latvian Radio Chamber Singers (Latvijas Radio kora grupa), made up of members of the larger Latvian Radio Choir, and conducted by Kaspars Putniņš, have released a new CD – Latvijas jaunā raža (New Latvian Harvest) featuring new choir compositions by Latvian composers.
Music
New album for Swedish Latvian rock ensemble Alis P
November 13, 2012
Swedish Latvian rock ensemble Alis P, led by Gundars Rullis, return with their third album Attiecību putra. Alis P, who began performing in 1979, is now made up of Rullis (vocals, guitar), Edgars Rubenis (bass) and Edgars Āboliņš (drums).
Dažādi
New silver 5 Lati coin on Bank of Latvia 90th anniversary
November 11, 2012
To celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Bank of Latvia, as well as the anniversary of the national currency, the Bank of Latvia has released a new silver commemorative coin whose is identical to the design of perhaps the most famous and beloved Latvian coin of all time – the silver 5 Lati coin.
Blogs elsewhere
All About Latvia
Journalist Aleks Tapinsh provides commentary on a wide variety of issues about his homeland. EN
Baltic
Veiko Spolītis, who teaches international relations at Rīga Stradiņš University, writes about politics in Latvia. EN
laacz.lv
Rīga-based computer programmer Kaspars Foigts has developed a loyal following. He writes about computing, music and other topics. LV
latviski.lv
Does your washing machine speak Latvian? Arnis Gross, who doubles as technical director for Latvians Online, keeps tabs on what products — electronic and not — are being Latvianized. EN
Lettland
A collective blog examining Latvian politics, society and culture. Latvian and Russian versions also are available. DE
Marginalia
Pēteris Cedriņš, a frequent contributor to the Latvians Online forums, writes on politics and history, especially as it concerns Latgale, where he lives. EN
Svaigs.lv
Artūrs Mednis has set up a site in Latvia to capture the latest entries from a variety of Latvian blogs. LV
Telecoms in Latvia
Journalist Juris Kaža offers "sporadic commentary" on the telecommunications and IT industry in the Baltics. EN
What's new
News
16 May 2013
Nelsons named music director of Boston Symphony Orchestra
Andris Nelsons, who has led the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in the United Kingdom since 2008, has been appointed the new music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
News
09 May 2013
Saeima approves dual citizenship
After several hours of debate, the Latvian parliament on May 9 approved legislation that will allow dual citizenship for many individuals, including World War II-era exiles and their descendants.
Multimedia
09 May 2013
Čaklais skaidro jaunumus Pilsonības likumā
Saeima 9.maijā pieņēma grozījumus Pilsonības likumā kas atzīst dubultpilsonību, nosaka kā nepilsoņu bērni tiks pie Latvijas pilsonības, un nosaka ari izmaiņas naturalizācijas kārtībā. Saeimas Pilsonības likuma grozījumu apakškomisijas priekšsēdētājs Ingmārs Čaklais skaidro jaunumus. (Video no YouTube)
In the forums
Georgians on the war path posted by Mr L L on 18 May 2013
Andris Nelsons >> Boston posted by Ivars Graudins on 16 May 2013
Saulanais Maijs posted by Aleksejs on 15 May 2013
Happy Mothers Day to all LOL ladies. posted by Bruno the Lett on 12 May 2013
All citizens will wear green capes... posted by anita on 10 May 2013
