Jānis Kukainis, former chairperson of the World Federation of Free Latvians (Pasaules brīvo latviešu apvienība, or PBLA), has been awarded a Latvian Cabinet of Ministers Certificate of Recognition, a cabinet spokesperson announced Feb. 5 in Rīga.

Kukainis is receiving the recognition for his many years of service defending Latvia’s interests and for helping to preserve Latvian culture.

Kukainis served as head of the PBLA from 2002-2007. He also has been involved with other organizations, twice serving as chairperson of the American Latvian Association and twice as head of the Joint Baltic American National Committee. Born in Latvia in 1943, he now lives in Michigan.

Kukainis is one of several individuals who will receive certificates of recognition, the Cabinet of Ministers announced. For their work in the nation’s forestry industry, certificates have been awarded to Andrejs Nikuļcevs, Aija Fišere, Juris Matīss and Jānis Elmārs Rubens, all of Latvia. Also honored is Oskars Gerts, editor-in-chief of the official daily newspaper of the Latvian government, Latvijas Vēstnesis.

Oskars Kastēns, special assignments minister for social integration affairs, is to present the certificate of recognition to Kukainis.

Jānis Puriņš, head of the wind studies program at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music in Rīga, will conduct a performance of Latvian music during the Northern Festival of Bands at the University of Northern Iowa, according to a Latvian Embassy spokesperson in Washington, D.C.

Puriņš, who also serves as artistic director for brass bands during this year’s Latvian Song and Dance Festival in Rīga, will conduct four works Feb. 9 in the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center on the UNI campus in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The festival hosts more than 250 participants from 40 high school bands from around Iowa.

This is the second time Puriņš has been invited to conduct the Festival Concert Band.

Latvian works scheduled for the Feb. 9 performance are “Zvejnieku ziņģe” by Juris Karlsons, “Līgodama upe nesa” by Pēteris Butāns, “Vidzemē, Vidzemē, kundziņu mans” by Līga Celma and “Ačikops” by Andrejs Jurjāns.

Two films with Latvian connections are to be screened during the 58th Berlin International Film Festival, or Berlinale, which runs from Feb. 7-17.

Jaunā suga (The New Species), a 2007 animation film about the insect world directed by Evalds Lācis, is scheduled for screenings Feb. 12, 14, 15 and 17 as part of the Generation K Plus competition for children’s films. The 10-minute film is produced by Rīga-based Studija AB, which has participated in the Berlin festival twice before, according to the press center of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Also screened will be Teat Beat of Sex: Episodes 8, 9, 10, 11, a seven-minute short by New York-based Latvian director Signe Baumane. Her film will be shown as part of Berlinale Shorts IV on Feb. 9, 10, 14 and 16, and as part of ShortsMix on Feb. 17. The film is an American and Italian co-production.

Two other films, the hit War of Independence feature Rīgas sargi by director Aigars Grauba and Lielais Kristaps winner Vogelfrei by directors Jānis Kalējs and Jānis Putniņš, are expected to be screened during the festival’s trade fair. A delegation of Latvian directors and producers will participate in the trade fair. Minister of Culture Helēna Demakova also is expected to attend.

Further information about the festival is available by visiting www.berlinale.de.