Latvia’s Independence Day on Nov. 18 is a perfect time to introduce non-Latvians to the country’s traditions. To showcase Latvia in the island nation of Sri Lanka, Honorary Consul Thomas F. Daetwyler invited the folklore ensemble Skandinieki and Krists Ulass, a chef for Rīga’s Hotel Gutenbergs, to the Mount Lavinia Hotel near the capital city of Colombo.

The Nov. 17-22 event saw coverage in at least three Colombo newspapers, including the Sunday Observer, the Daily News and The Island.

Sandra Papiņa, director of Asia and Africa division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was part of the delegation to Sri Lanka, as were several cultural representatives and an official from Unibanka, Daetwyler told Latvians Online in an e-mail.