Blogs
Eolika, Latvia’s answer to ABBA, releases 30th anniversary album
Eolika consists of (left to right) Ilona Stepānova, Dainis Dobelnieks, Viktors Zemgals and Olga Rajecka. (Publicity photo)
August 18, 2010
A collection of hit songs by Eolika, once called Latvia’s answer to Swedish pop superstars ABBA, has been released in Rīga as the foursome marks its 30th anniversary.
Music
Album memorializes Līvi vocalist Grodums
August 08, 2010
An album in memory of Jānis Grodums, one of the founding members of the legendary Latvian guitar rock band Līvi, has been released just weeks after his death. Grodums, 52, died June 15.
Dažādi
Group publishes Latgale stories on CD
August 03, 2010
A compact disc featuring 31 Latgallian stories told by various cultural activists and musicians has been published by the Latgolys Producentu Grupa.
Music
Armenian wins New Wave contest, while co-founder Pauls causes stir
August 01, 2010
Armenian pop singer Sona Shahgeldyan has won this year’s New Wave (Jaunais vilnis) competition, which began July 27 in Dzintari Concert Hall in Jūrmala, Latvia.
Books
Book by German historian examines early years of Rīga Latvian Society
July 29, 2010
The Rīga Latvian Society and its landmark building at Merķeļa iela 13 have played an important role in fostering Latvian national identity. A recently released book, Rīgas Latviešu biedrība un latviešu nacionālā kustība no 1868. līdz 1905. gadam, examines the society’s early history.
Dažādi
In Eastern Latvia, they love ‘Old Spice Guy’ so much they made him king
July 24, 2010
The Old Spice Guy has become the king of Eastern Latvia, according to a recent video posted online as part of the rebranding of the Procter & Gamble men’s product line.
Music
Youth choir Mūza takes on Renaissance, contemporary works
July 08, 2010
The Rīga-based youth choir Mūza, the history of which goes back to 1947, has released it latest album. Titled Immortal, the album was recorded in March and April in the Rīga Reformation Church (Rīgas Reformātu baznīca).
Music
Laiksne’s fourth album explores rarely heard songs
July 07, 2010
The folk ensemble Laiksne has released a new compact disc called Putra. It is the group’s fourth album.
Dažādi
LTV offers live stream of youth song and dance festival
July 06, 2010
Thanks to the Internet and Latvian State Television, viewers abroad can follow the 10th Latvian Youth Song and Dance Celebration in Rīga, which began July 6.
Music
Recording company releases debut album by Trio Šmite Kārkle Cinkuss
June 10, 2010
The debut recording by a still relatively unknown threesome of well-known musical artists, Trio Šmite Kārkle Cinkuss, has been released by Rīga-based Upe tuviem un tāliem.
Dažādi
Ship once owned by Latvian company involved in Gaza relief effort
June 02, 2010
One of the ships trying to get through Israel’s blockade on humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip is a former Latvian-owned vessel, according to news reports. However, it was not one of the ships intercepted by Israeli commandos on May 31.
Dažādi
Latvia ranks No. 2 in broadband speeds
May 25, 2010
Perhaps only geeks will find this interesting, but it’s worth noting nonetheless: Latvia has the second-fastest broadband download speeds in the world, according to the U.S.-based diagnostics company Ookla.
Music
Goran Gora releases second album
May 25, 2010
Singer Goran Gora, now teamed up with a band called The Yrs, has released his sophomore album. Titled Mystyrys Yrs, the compact disc includes 13 tracks, all in English.
Dažādi
Irbe inducted into hockey hall of fame
May 24, 2010
As we reported in December, popular goaltender Arturs Irbe has been named to the International Ice Hockey Federation’s Hall of Fame. Now it is official: Irbe and four other persons were inducted May 23 during a ceremony in Cologne, Germany.
Music
Vasks’ ‘Gadalaiki’ released on CD
May 11, 2010
A recording of Latvian composer Pēteris Vasks’ “Gadalaiki” (The Seasons) has been released on compact disc by the German company Wergo.
Music
Pop duo Musiqq releases debut album
April 06, 2010
New Latvian pop duo Musiqq has released its debut album, Šī ir tikai mūzika, according to Rīga-based recording company MICREC.
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
Norberts Klaucēns
A conservative writer and Latvia's former honorary consul in Chicago takes on the liberal media, Latvian politicians and a host of others. EN LV
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
01 Sep 2010
Summer of 2010 is Latvia’s warmest
This summer in Latvia has been the warmest on record, topping the previous heat wave of 2002, according to the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.
News
30 Aug 2010
Number of green cards declines, while U.S. sees more Latvian visitors
The number of persons from Latvia who have become legal permanent residents of the United States dropped last year to its lowest point in the past decade, according to recently released government statistics.
Reviews
28 Aug 2010
Latvian, Georgian collaboration results in remarkable world music album
One of the most intriguing recent collaborations in Latvian music is that of composer Valts Pūce and the Georgian ensemble The Shin. Joining together on the recording entitled Es arī, their talents have produced a unique album, combining elements of Latvian and Georgian folk songs, as well as jazz and other world music elements.
In the forums
SC = "Atpakaļ nākotnē" posted by ambersun on 02 Sep 2010
Election campaigns posted by jem71 on 01 Sep 2010
Saeima nedomā par latviešiem, bet par bagātiem ārzemniekiem posted by courlander on 31 Aug 2010
Durbin on the Mosque posted by Peteris Cedrins on 30 Aug 2010
"In Israel, Settling for Less" posted by Peteris Cedrins on 29 Aug 2010
