June 25, 2009
White House nominates next ambassador to Latvia
A resident of Virginia who is a career diplomat has been nominated by President Barack Obama to be the next U.S. ambassador to Latvia.
Judith Gail Garber, a deputy assistant secretary in the State Department’s Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, was nominated June 25, a White House spokesperson announced. She has been in her current post since October 2007, overseeing bilateral relations with Baltic, Nordic and Central European countries, according to her State Department biography.
Sadarbībā ar Pasaules brīvo latviešu apvienību, piedāvājam resursus un pārdomas par latviešu izglītību ārzemēs.
Despite obstacles, non-Latvian parents succeed at language
May 20, 2009
When we think about Latvian language education, we usually think about the network of Saturday or Sunday schools for children of Latvian descent living abroad.…
- Šovasar mācies Latvijā!
- Sasniegusi sešu gadu vecumu, Spicīte dodas pasaulē
- Uz ALAs rīkotajiem “Sveika, Latvija” un citiem ceļojumiem jāpiesakās līdz 30. martam
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Weather
Current conditions at Rīga, Latvia
14°C (57°F)
Humidity: 67%
Sky: clear skies
Conditions: clear
Wind: NNW at 2 m/s
Visibility: greater than 10 km
Events
June 15
Wisconsin
BALSSI 2009 at UW-Madison
The Center for Russia, East Europe, and Central Asia and the Department of Scandinavian Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison hosts the Baltic Studies Summer Institute (BALSSI) from June 15-Aug. 7. Elementary Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian language courses will be offered, as well as lectures (in English) on Baltic history and culture and a rich program of cultural events related to the Baltic countries. Information and application materials are available on the BALSSI Web site, www.creeca.wisc.edu/balssi. The deadline for applications is April 13. BALSSI is sponsored by a consortium of 12 U.S. universities and receives additional support from the Association for the Advancement of Baltic Studies. For further information about BALSSI 2009, contact Nancy Heingartner, BALSSI program coordinator, at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or +1 (608) 262-3379.
June 28
Latvia
3x3 camp in northern Latvia
The first 3x3 camp in Latvia this summer will take place in Naukšēni near the Estonian border from June 28-July 5. The 3x3 camp is a week-long cultural and social experience for whole families, as well as singles. Children spend the days at fun and educational activities, while adults attend seminars and workshops about various Latvian topics, such as folklore, politics, literature, silversmithing, woodworking, and weaving. The 3x3 camps in Latvia often offer more than 30 seminars for adults. Seminars, workshops and children’s activities are led by experts in their respective fields from Latvia and abroad. All generations come together during the evenings for more activities and, of course, singing and dancing. Camps draw many local participants and space is limited, so early registration is recommended. For more information and to register contact the 3x3 liaison outside of Latvia, Līga Ruperte, at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). See also the 3x3 Web site at www.3x3.lv.
July 01
Ontario
XIII Latvian Song Festival in Canada
The XIII Latvian Song Festival in Canada is scheduled at various venues July 1-5, 2009, in Hamilton. For further information, visit www.latviansongfest.com.
Did you know?
Limp Bizkit’s DJ Lethal
DJ Lethal of the American rap-metal group Limp Bizkit was born in Rīga, Latvia. His real name is…
New choreography, Čikāgas Piecīši among highlights
July 3, 2009
The new choreography show and a packed concert by Čikāgas Piecīši were among the highlights of the third day of the 13th Latvian Song Festival in Canada. Other events included an afternoon program for learning new dances and games, a second showing of the musical “Meldermeitiņa” and a concert of classical music.
The 13th Latvian Song Festival in Canada takes place July 1-5 in Hamilton. Our correspondents will provide Twitter updates.
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Posted 04 Jul 2009 from web
Kopkora koncerta beigās, koristi sauc, “Gaismas pili, vēl vienu reiz!”
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Posted 04 Jul 2009 from mobile web
Kopkora koncerta beigas, koristi sauc, “Gaismas pili, vel vien reiz!”
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Posted 04 Jul 2009 from mobile web
Kopkora koncerta beigās, koristi sauc, “Gaismas pili, vēl vienu reiz!”
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Posted 04 Jul 2009 from mobile web
The Latvian exhibit at the Art Gallery of Hamilton is worth a look, but we would have liked to see more works.
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Posted 03 Jul 2009 from web
The Song Fest. It’s all about volunteers who make it happen and keep the tradition going - participants & organizers alike. Thank you.
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Posted 03 Jul 2009 from web
There are less than 2 million Latvians in the world but for a small nation its artists, choirs, athletes pack a powerful punch.
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Posted 03 Jul 2009 from web
Great concert for two choirs from Latvia at the Anglican cathedral. Wouldn’t take much to imagine that you were in the Dom Church in Riga.
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Posted 03 Jul 2009 from TwitterFon
Patīkami redzēt arī Īrijas latviešus - varbūt pēc dažiem gadiem varēsim svinēt Dziesmu svētkus arī Dublinā!
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Posted 03 Jul 2009 from TwitterFon
Patīkami redzēt arīĪrijas latviešus - varbūt pēc dažiem gadiem varēsim svinēt Dziesmu svētkus arī Dublinā!
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Posted 03 Jul 2009 from TwitterFon
Patīkami redzēt arī Īrijas latviešus - varbūt pēc dažiem gadiem varēsim svinēt Dziesmu svētkus arī Dublinā!
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Posted 03 Jul 2009 from TwitterFon
No Čikāgas Piecīšu koncerta: Legzdiņš nav zaudējis savu humora izjūtu
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Posted 03 Jul 2009 from mobile web
Cikagas Piecisi joprojam populari. Koncerta zale pilna!
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Posted 03 Jul 2009 from web
Nupat uzzināju, ka svētkos piedalās 350 dalībnieku no Latvijas!
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Posted 03 Jul 2009 from web
Jewellery, newspapers, mittens, ryebread, stamps, sprats, latvian software - all at the tirdziņš
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Posted 02 Jul 2009 from web
Meanwhile, in Estonia it’s time for Laulupidu. http://www.laulupidu.ee/
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Posted 02 Jul 2009 from web
After “Meldermeitiņa,” festival-goers are having late drinks in the Crowne Plaza bar. And, wouldn’t you know it, the server is part Latvian.
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Posted 02 Jul 2009 from mobile web
Beidzies atklasanas koncerts. Daudz dziesmu, maz runu - loti patikami.
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Posted 02 Jul 2009 from mobile web
Dievturu daudzinajuma R. Spuris bridina, ka Latvijai draud kosmopolitisms un globalizacija.
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Posted 01 Jul 2009 from web
Dziesmu Svetkos - Latvieši te, latvieši tur, no arzemem, no Latvijas, no Irijas ... Meklesim kopejo, to kas vieno - Dziesma un deja.
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Posted 01 Jul 2009 from web
Great to run into latviesi from Edmonton, Winnipeg, Halifax, Michigan, Florida, Minnesota, not to mention Latvija and locals at Sidrabene.
Bird icon courtesy of Smashing Magazine
News
June 24, 2009
Traffic deaths show sharp decline
The number of people killed in Latvian road traffic accidents dramatically decreased last year, but the country still…
June 23, 2009
Latvia reports first case of H1N1
A woman who traveled to the United States and Canada is the first verified case of the H1N1…
June 18, 2009
Prime minister apologizes for Latvia’s hard times
Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis has apologized to the Latvian people for the serious tests they will have to…
June 17, 2009
Health minister steps down as Latvia faces budget reforms
Latvia’s Health Minister Ivars Eglītis has resigned, saying he will not be responsible for what cuts in the…
June 15, 2009
Institute: Latvia drops in global peace ranking
Political instability and internal conflict have contributed to Latvia dropping to 54th place in the Global Peace Index…
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Reviews
These sound poets push dark buttons
June 14, 2009
In 2006, five guys formed a collective “quite accidentally,” becoming The Sound Poets—or S.P.B. This accident partially stems from the fact that most of the band members took academic degrees in subjects related more to the business world than to that of the arts. Through the band’s Web site, one gains the perception that they started their “band life” based more on a crap shoot than anything else.
Commentary
Turning Latvian
July 02, 2009
One morning in early April I found myself on a shuttle bus bound for Brussels, that brave new center of 21st century Europe. Behind me sat a group of proud Baltic parents who had just flown in to visit their sons and daughters employed as translators and bureaucrats deep in the halls of the European Union.
In the forum
The Jan. 13 protest
We were there. There was lots of energy (maybe different from last year) and, even more, anger... Unfortunately, I left more cynical than when I came.
Video released in support of Latvian Police anti drunk driving campaign posted by Wahabist on 03 Jul 2009
Keves dels Kurbads: second copy available from the Bookstore at Saulaine! posted by Kristine Kirsch Stivrins on 03 Jul 2009
Vai ir nepieciešami bērnudārzi latviešu bērniem pasaulē? posted by rauls on 02 Jul 2009
Looking for my aunt ILGA GRAVA! posted by leibovich on 01 Jul 2009
Do we have nothing to say posted by courlander on 30 Jun 2009
masks --- posted by Mikus E_ on 29 Jun 2009
Who celebrates "varda diena?" posted by ambersun on 29 Jun 2009
"Exiled by Russia: Casinos and Jobs" posted by ambersun on 29 Jun 2009
NHL draft posted by sniks on 29 Jun 2009
Latvian-American with EU membership: Health care while in Europe? posted by eriklacitis on 28 Jun 2009
Music blog
Iļģi concert, streamed from Rīga, focuses on Midsummer
June 07, 2009
I watched a wonderful concert live over the Internet today. The post-folklore band Iļģi introduced its latest album, Isākās nakts dziesmas, with a set of both old and new material in Rīga’s Club Essential.
Books blog
Grāmata par gleznotāju Jāni Osi
June 26, 2009
Monogrāfija Jānis Osis. 1926-1991 veltīta vienam no talantīgākajiem pēckara paaudzes māksliniekiem Jānim Osim, kuru var uzskatīt par Dieva dotu talantu, kurš varēja gleznot kā ainavas, tā industriālus motīvus - viss zem viņa otas pārvērtās par vīrišķīgas romantikas pilnu stāstu par dzīvi Baltijas jūras krastā. Diemžēl viņa dzīves laikā par viņu tika maz rakstīts, šī ir pirmā nopietnā publikācija.
What's new
Multimedia
04 Jul 2009
New choreography, Čikāgas Piecīši among highlights
The new choreography show and a packed concert by Čikāgas…
Multimedia
02 Jul 2009
From opening concert to ‘Meldermeitiņa’
The second day of the 13th Latvian Song Festival in…
Opinions
02 Jul 2009
Turning Latvian
One morning in early April I found myself on…
Links to news about Latvia and Latvians, plus other items found while surfing the Web.
Stars sign Skrastins to 2-year deal. The Associated Press reports the Latvian defenseman has signed a contract worth USD 2.75 million.
Riga thrives on solar energy. Toronto Star correspondent examines Latvian capital in the summertime.
Strange collateral prompts spiritual reflection. News of a odd Latvian loan guarantee is fodder for student journalist's column.
Imbi Paju: Memories Denied. A new blog focuses on the documentary film and book, Memories Denied, by Estonian journalist Imbi Paju, who examines "the crimes of communism and historical denial."
Latvian and Russian crises are worlds apart. Anders Aslund, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, argues in The Moscow Times that there is no reason to devalue the lat.
» Archive
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