Latvia

1/4 Satori

http://www.satori.lv/

If literature and philosophy are your passion, then this site will be right down your alley. This portal is aimed at those Latvians who love delving into all manner of philosophies put forward by thinkers throughout the ages. Esoteric literature seems to be thriving in Latvia, filling the spiritual vacuum left after the fall of the Soviet Union. The site is not for the faint-hearted. If you're after a bit of light-hearted reading, then this site will be way too overwhelming. LV (Reviewed April 2005)

3x3

http://www.3x3.lv/

If the term "3x3" is new to you, don't be surpised if after visiting this Web site you suddenly have an intense desire to contact the organizers of one of these camps. Quoting from the site: "3x3 is the name of a series of camps that developed out of the desire of people of Latvian heritage to maintain the Latvian language and culture in their families." The camps are held in the northern and southern hemispheres every summer. "While the attendance of individuals and small family groups is the norm," the Web site continues, "attendance by the three generations of the extended family -- children, parents and grandparents -- is especially welcome." In a nutshell, the camp is meant as a "Latvian identity" booster injection. The week-long camps are held in Latvia, Great Britain, the United States, Australia and Canada. EN LV (Reviewed May 2006)

AB.PHOTO.LATVIA

http://ab-photo.blogspot.com/

All About Latvia

http://www.allaboutlatvia.com/

American Chamber of Commerce in Latvia

http://www.amcham.lv/

Atbildība

http://www.atbildiba.lv/

BalticShop

http://www.balticshop.com/

A Connecticut-based online marketplace for Baltic souvenirs such as jewellery, handicrafts, pottery, compact discs, books, bumper stickers and rye bread (only available in the United States) among other things. Secure online credit card ordering available. EN (Reviewed June 1999)

Baltic Council for International Education

http://www.balticcouncil.org/

Change for Latvia

http://changeforlatvia.blogspot.com/

Dainu skapis

http://www.dainuskapis.lv/

Daugava - Latvijai

http://daugava-latvijai.1w.lv/

Daugaviete

http://www.daugaviete.lv/

Dekoratīvi lietišķās mākslas muzejs

http://www.dlmm.lv/

Rīga is a city of fine museums and galleries and the Museum of Decorative Applied Arts is no exception. Located in the heart of the historic Old Town, it is one of many must-see places to view the talents of Latvian artists. The permanent collection exhibits works of professional Latvian textile, glass, metal, leather and wood artists as well as Latvian ceramists. Check the site for the latest on temporary exhibitions. The museum is not only a gallery for the applied arts; it is also the site of the oldest brick structure in Riga and the former Church of St. George (Sv. Jura baznīca). EN LV RU (Reviewed April 2005)

Demokrāti.lv

http://www.demokrati.lv/

DP albums

http://www.dpalbums.lv/

Finally, one central place on the Web to learn about the years Latvians spent in refugee camps in Germany after World War II. The creators of DP Albums are children of these refugees who realise it is time to broach this subject on the Web before the memories are erased forever with the passing of the older generation. How many of us have old Displaced Persons camp photos in albums and boxes? If our grandparents or parents can still remember many of the people depicted in these photos, then "seize the day" and question them and take notes! Or, better still, ask them if they would agree to have the photos scanned and sent to this Web site so the images can become part of the bigger global archive that will document the DP years, a period that had such a formative effect on the life of Latvians living outside Latvia for the past 50 years. LV (Reviewed September 2004)

Dzintra

http://www.dzintra.lv/

Eirodziesma 2005

http://www.eirovizija.lv/

You may well cringe when you hear about the European Song Contest, but whether you like it or not it is still a major event in the music scene. In the Eirodziesma 2005 Latvian finals, which took place in Ventspils in February, none of the competitors sang in their mother tongue. English seemed to be the unanimous choice of all. The Latvian finalists, Valters un Kaža with the Mārtiņš Freimanis song "The War is Not Over," were scheduled to compete May 19-21 against 39 other acts in Kiev, Ukraine. The Eurovision Song Contest celebrates 50 years in 2005. Check out the official Eurovision site for further details. LV (Reviewed in March 2005)

eSports.lv

http://www.esports.lv/

Latvians are mad sports fans. If it's not ice hockey season, then it's time to root for the Latvian team or player in football (soccer), basketball or motocross. They have a reputation worldwide for having some of the most enthusiastic supporters, so it's no surprise to find a Web site devoted to these sports. eSports.lv, registered to Artūrs Vaskis, is based in Rīga. If you're keen to find out what the Latvians are up to in other sports, or if Latvian sports terminology intrigues you, you're sure to learn a few interesting things on this site. And if you're game, post your comments in the eSports forum. LV (Reviewed June 2006)

ExIm (Latvian Export & Import Directory)

http://www.exim.lv/

E-skola

http://www.e-skola.lv/

With the first day of school in the northern hemisphere fresh in everyone's mind, it's worth having a look at a site that deals with education as well as extracurricular activities for schoolchildren. E-skola is meant more for educators, but the information found here is interesting for anyone who wants to learn out about education in Latvia. The site is produced by the Education, Youth and Sports Department of the Rīga Ciy Council. Find out about competitions, festivals and various projects organised for the younger generation, view job vacancies for teaching positions, review courses for teachers, see a list of summer camps, or read articles on dealing with teen substance abuse. All this and much more contributes to a site that deals with issues that are relevant to the shaping of the youth of today. LV (Reviewed September 2005)

Fit FM

http://fitfm.lv/

Forum Cinemas

http://www.forumcinemas.lv/

Latvia's first multi-cinema complex opened late in 2003 in Rīga, has the capacity to seat more than 3,000 people and even boasts the largest screen in Northern Europe. Smack bang in the centre of the city, between the Central Railway Station and the Main Bus Terminal, this entertainment behemoth is proof that the archictectural landscape of Rīga is changing at a rapid pace. Although most of the films screened here are Hollywood blockbusters, the cinema's Web site does mention that European and Latvian films also are on the agenda. It's a great site if you're curious to find out what's screening in Rīga. EN LV (Reviewed February 2005)

Fraternitas Arctica

http://www.arctica.lv/

Fraternitas Imantica

http://www.imantica.lv/

Fraternitas Lataviensis

http://lataviensis.lv/

Fraternitas Lettica

http://www.lettica.org/

Fraternitas Livonica

http://www.frlivonica.lv/

Fraternitas Metropolitana

http://www.metropolitana.lv/

Gersicania

http://www.gersicania.lv/

Ģitāristu forums

http://www.gitaristiem.lv/

Grupa Cosmos

http://www.cosmosmusic.lv/

Although their name makes them sound like New Age band at one with the rest of the universe, Cosmos is actually a group of five very talented young Latvian performers who sing a capella. Founded in 2002 by five graduates of the Rīga Dome Choir School, the group claims to be the first a cappella group to hit the Latvian popular music radio charts. Judge for yourself: Do these young vocal performers have what it takes to "cover the whole human voice range from bass to soprano," as claimed on their Web site? The design of the site is ultra-hip but sometimes slightly unnerving as you wait for some sections to organically flow onto the screen. EN LV (Reviewed July 2004)

Gundega

http://www.gundega.lv/

Imeria

http://www.imeria.lv/

Interaktīvā psiholoģijas enciklopēdija

http://www.psihologija.lv/

Izdevniecība “Lielvārds”

http://www.lielvards.lv/

Izdevniecība “Raka”

http://www.raka.lv/

Izdevniecība “Zvaigzne”

http://www.zvaigzne.lv/

Jaunais laiks

http://www.jaunaislaiks.lv/

Jelgavas pasaku pils

http://www.jzb.lv/pasakas/

Ko tu teici?

http://valoda.ailab.lv/latval/iesacejiem/

Kristīgi Demokrātiskā savienība

http://www.kds.lv/

Lacuania

http://www.lacuania.lv/

Latvia

http://www.latvus.lv/

Latvian Institute

http://www.li.lv/

Latvia Tourism

http://www.latviatourism.lv/

latviesi.com

http://www.latviesi.com/

Quite a few sites on the web have the word "Latvians" and "latvieši" in the title. What distinguishes latviesi.com from all the others? This site, run by Indulis Bērziņš in Germany, has been created for Latvians who are either temporarily or permanently working or studying abroad or planning to do so in the near future. It's meant as a virtual home base with information on Latvian events worldwide, a voluntary accommodation network, scholarship opportunities and some thought-provoking articles (many republished from other sources) on topics such as the problems faced by Latvians repatriating to Latvia from Russia and a Latvian psychologist's view on various attitudes to Latvian cultural identity. If the site takes off and is used by its target audience the way intended, it has the potential to serve as a good resource and place to exchange ideas. LV (Reviewed September 2004)

Latviešu folkloras krātuve

http://www.lfk.lv/

Latvia has an extremely rich folkloric history and thankfully there are still people involved in documenting and researching this cultural goldmine. It involves labour-intensive fieldwork, finding and interviewing those elderly Latvians in all regions of Latvia who still remember the songs, tales, proverbs, superstitions and other traditions of their childhood. The Archives of Latvian Folklore (Latviešu folkloras krātuve, or LFK) are located within the Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art within the Latvian Academy of Sciences. The archives house an audio as well as a photo collection and includes the well-known "Daiņu skapis" (Cabinet of Folksongs), made to Krišjānis Barons' own specifications to systematically compartmentalise all the folksongs that had been collected by Barons and his team more than 100 years ago. The site provides an interesting historical overview of folklore research in the past few centuries in Latvia. EN LV (Reviewed March 2006)

Latviešu fonds

http://www.latviesufonds.info/

Latviešu fonds (Latvian Foundation) is a nonprofit organisation based in North America with the aim to provide grants for Latvian cultural and educational projects. The site offers board members' contact details and the latest news on the foundation's work schedule. LV (Reviewed October 1999)

Latvijas dievtuŗu sadraudze

http://www.dievturi.org/

Latvijas Evanģēliskā alianse

http://www.lea.lv/

Latvijas Investīciju un attīstības aģentūra

http://www.liaa.gov.lv/

Latvijas ļaudis uz 21.gadsimta sliekšņa

http://www.gramata21.lv/

Latvijas mūzikas ierakstu gada balva

http://www.gadabalva.lv/

Want to buy some Latvian compact discs, but there's so much available in the shops that you don't know where to turn? If you consult this site you might get a little wiser. In its 10th year, Latvijas mūzikas ierakstu gada balva is the Latvian version of the Grammys, highlighting the best songs, albums and video clips in different categories. The award used to be known as the "Mikrofona gada balva." It's fun to scroll through the lists of winners of years gone by and to try to remember the tunes, but the songs themselves are unfortunately not on the site. LV

Latvijas Nacionālā digitālā bibliotēka: Periodika

http://www.periodika.lv/

Latvijas Okupācijas muzejs

http://www.occupationmuseum.lv/

Latvijas Pirmā partija / Latvijas Ceļš

http://www.lpplc.lv/

Latvijas Radio

http://www.latvijasradio.lv/

Latvijas Sociāldemokrātiskā Strādnieku partija

http://www.lsdsp.lv/

Latvijas Sociālistiskā partija

http://www.latsocpartija.lv/

Latvijas Zaļā partija

http://www.zp.lv/

Latvijas Zemnieku savienība

http://www.lzs.lv/

Letonika

http://www.letonika.lv/

The Letonika site is used by many for its extensive on-line dictionaries in various language combinations. Created by the Riga-based software firm Tilde and the publisher Nacionālais apgāds, Letonika is also a great encyclopedic resource for things Latvian. If you're a trivia buff check out the "Šonedēļ" section. It's a Latvian version of "This Week in History" and has some interesting tidbits. Instead of listing all the different reference items available here we'll tell you what we learnt today: the names of all the mayors of Cēsis through the centuries and biographies of other famous Latvians born in Central Vidzeme; the meaning of the words asmītnieki and Cistercieši; that in the 18th and 19th centuries Vecais Stenders and other pious and influential leaders classified Latvian folk songs as "blēņu dziesmas" and not worthy of note, and window-shopping is called "acu mielošana pie skatlogiem." The service is available by subscription, but a seven-day free trial is available to anyone interested. LV (Reviewed August 2004)

Lettgallia

http://www.lettgallia.org/

Lettonia

http://www.lettonia.lv/

Līga

http://www.music.lv/liga/

LZA Terminoloģijas komisija

http://termini.lza.lv/

Mācību materiāli internetā

http://rex.izm.gov.lv/liis/prog/macmat.nsf

Mana spēļu kaste

http://www.jurjans.lv/kaste

Nevalstisko Organizāciju centrs

http://www.nvo.lv/

Par cilvēka tiesībām vienotā Latvijā

http://www.pctvl.lv/

Par labu Latviju!

http://parlabulatviju.lv/

Par prezidentālu republiku

http://ppr.lv/

Pasakas.net

http://www.pasakas.net/

Patria

http://www.patria.lv/

Pēdējā partija

http://www.pedejapartija.lv/

Pilsoniskā savienība

http://pilsoniska-savieniba.lv/

politika.lv

http://politika.lv/

Radio Skonto

http://www.radioskonto.lv/

Radio SWH

http://www.radioswh.lv/

Ražots Latvijā

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Made-in-LATVIA-Razots-LATVIJA/134646803212127

Rīgas Attīstības plāns

http://rpap.riga.lv/

Ever wondered about the future plans for the city of Rīga? A flurry of building activity is going on at the moment, but is it all done according to a master plan? If this is of interest to you, then this Web site will certainly shed some light on the subject. A separate Web site, www.rvc.lv, deals with the preservation and maintenance of the Old Town of Rīga (Rīgas Vēsturiskā centra saglabāšanas un attīstības plāns). Download various documents for an insightful look into the demographic profile of Rīga and the town planning strategy being put forward for debate. The opinions of the citizens and other interested parties are encouraged through various media, some of which are available online at this site. This is certainly a far cry from the five-year plans dictated to Rīga by Moscow during the Soviet era. LV (Reviewed February 2005)

Rīgas Centrāltirgus

http://www.centraltirgus.lv/

What, you may ask, could we find out from the Web site of the second largest city market in Europe? Firstly, we finally learned why the Rīga Central Market (Rīgas Centrāltirgus) is located in four 80-year-old zeppelin hangars, abandonded by German Kaiser Wilhelm's army during World War I. Then we got the lowdown on the price of fish, milk, kefir, rye bread, potatoes and other main staples in the Latvian diet. So the next time we head "to market, to market" in Rīga, we won't be in for a rude shock. We checked out the map of all the pavilions and noted opening times (in case we turn up too early) and thoroughly enjoyed viewing Aigars Siliņš' photos of the market. They seemed to capture the true spirit of the place. All that is missing from the Web site is a short video interviewing some of the die-hards at the market, the individuals who give this place its unique character -- the traders, the shoppers and maybe even the cleaners! DE EN LV RU (Reviewed July 2005)

Rīgas danču klubs

http://www.folkdance.lv/

Rīgas pašvaldības portāls

http://www.riga.lv/

Rīgas pašvaldības portāls (Rīga Municipality Portal) is a goldmine of information on Rīga and its city council, headed by Mayor Gundars Bojārs. It is a useful for resource for residents and tourists. Ever wanted to be a fly on the wall in the Rīga City Council daily proceedings? You can now watch the live Webcast online. How often have you cursed the impossible bureaucratic labyrinths that need to be waded through to get any official business taken care of in Rīga? The site provides much-needed information to simplify things for the layperson: telephone numbers, addresses and opening hours (often the bane of anyone who is not a local) of municipal offices. Details of the documents needed for registration and municipal acts and regulations are now accessible online, drastically reducing the legwork required. And if you're still feeling frustrated, then why not get things off your chest in the discussion forum? This site certainly shows how far Latvia has come since Soviet times in terms of information accessibility. EN LV RU (Reviewed May 2004)

Rigatourism.com

http://www.rigatourism.com/

So you're visiting Rīga and you've already admired the view from Pēterbaznīca (St. Peter's Church) over the Daugava River. What next? Consult this Web site and you'll never be short of ideas anymore! The site is run by the Rīga Tourism Coordination and Information Centre, an agency of the city government. We won't list all the standard stuff that is part of every tourist site. We were very impressed, however, with the professional layout and the detailed information that's available here. The list of prices for goods is informative (always wanted to know the price of a Snickers bar in Latvia?) and enlightening segments on seemingly minor things -- such as the cost of sending letters and postcards, how to use public telephones and where to turn for first aid in Rīga -- all set this site apart from the others. EN LV RU (Reviewed July 2005)

Sabiedrība citai politikai

http://www.scp.lv/

Saskaņas centrs

http://www.saskanascentrs.lv/

Selga

http://www.selga.lv/

Selonija

http://www.selonija.lv/

Skaņu meža pasaka

http://www.music.lv/mpasaka

Skaņu meža pasaka is an interactive game for young children teaching the basics of music and sound. It includes 50 different simple activities where the child first listens to an introduction read to them and then follows instructions to complete exercises. Created by Latvijas Izglītības informatizācijas sistēma (LIIS) and with funding from Culture Fund of the World Federation of Free Latvians, the material used here corresponds with the standardized curriculum covered in music lessons in Grade 1 in Latvia. The game may be a bit slow for kids used to whiz-bang technology but, hey, it is something in Latvian so kudos certainly are due. LV (Reviewed June 2005)

Skolotājs

http://www.skolotajs.lv/

Talavija

http://www.talavija.lv/

Tautas kontrole

http://www.tautaskontrole.lv/

Tautas partija

http://www.tautaspartija.lv/

Tervetia

http://www.tervetia.lv/

Tēvzemei un Brīvībai/LNNK

http://www.tb.lv/

Tildes datorvārdnīca internetā

http://dictionary.tilde.lv/

TV24

http://www.tv24.lv/

Valsts valodas aģentūra

http://www.valoda.lv/

Vēlēšanu reformas biedrība

http://www.velref.lv/