Konkurss ‘Latvija 90 vārdos’

Amanda Jātniece | 

Latvians Online, sadarbībā ar Pasaules brīvo latviešu apvienību (PBLA), piedalās Latvijas 90 gadu jubilejas pasākumos piesakot jaunu konkursu latviešiem pasaulē. Konkursa “Latvija 90 vārdos” dalībniekiem ir jāizsaka precīzi 90 vārdos, ko Latvija viņiem nozīmē. Konkurss domāts, lai celtu latviešu valstisko pašlepnumu un rosinātu latviešiem visā pasaulē padomāt par Latvijas valsts nozīmi personīgā līmenī. Konkurss atšķirsies no citiem konkursiem ar to, ka vērtēšanu veiks paši portāla “Latvians Online” lasītāji internetā.

Konkursā var iesniegt gan domrakstus, dzejoļus vai raksta darbus vienalga kādā citā formā – žanrs nav svarīgs. Rakstus var iesniegt vai nu latviešu vai angļu valodā – galvenais, ka tekstam jābūt 90 vārdus garam. Konkurss domāts latviešiem visā pasaulē. Vērtēšana notiks trīs kategorijās – bērnu, jauniešu un pieaugušo. Konkursa darbu iesniegšanas termiņš: 18. oktobris.

Vairāk informāciju par konkursu var iegūt latviansonline.com/90vardos.

Ethnic minorites ask Godmanis not to close ĪUMSILS

Andris Straumanis | 

Representatives of Latvia’s ethnic minority organizations have called on Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis to not close the country’s integration secretariat as part of a plan to trim the state budget.

Godmanis has been considering laying off 5 percent of government workers and eliminating three special assignment ministries, including the Secretariat of the Special Assignment Minister for Social Integration Affairs (Īpašu uzdevuma ministra sabiedrības integrācijas lietās sekretariāts, or ĪUMSILS).

Among other functions, ĪUMSILS also works with Latvian groups in the diaspora and helps fund educational and cultural projects.

Godmanis, according to media reports, has been considering liquidating ĪUMSILS, the Minister for Special Assignments for Electronic Government Affairs and the Minister for Special Assignments for Administration of European Union Funds. But after a Sept. 2 meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, it appears the plan is on hold, in part because of politicians’ concerns that cutting the three secretariats could upset the balance of power in the coalition government.

In their letter, the ethnic minority representatives said they were concerned about reports the integration secretariat might be on the chopping block, according ĪUMSILS spokesperson Zane Šneidere.

“Latvia is a multinational state in which 41 percent of inhabitants are members of minorities,” the representatives said in their open letter to the prime minister. Eliminating ĪUMSILS would be a wrong step in Latvia’s state politics that could negatively affect development of civil society, they said.

“Thanks to the support of the secretariat, Latvia’s minorities have should themselves as an integral part of Latvia’s society,” the letter continued, “which has in turn reduced the divide between Latvians and members of other ethnic groups.”

The letter was signed by representatives of the Russian, Belarussian, Estonian, Lithuanian, German, Polish, Georgian, Old Believer, Arab, Jewish and Balto-Slavic communities.

Andris Straumanis is a special correspondent for and a co-founder of Latvians Online. From 2000–2012 he was editor of the website.

Sax quartet combines classics with the modern

Andris Straumanis | 

A recent question in the daily “Brain” quiz on draugiem.lv asked what instrument the quartet n[ex]t is known for playing. The cello, I guessed. But I was wrong: The answer is the saxophone.

The Rīga-based n[ex]t today consists of Inga Meijere on the soprano and alto saxophone, Jelena Kovaļenko on the alto saxophone, Arnita Akmentiņa on the tenor sax and Kristīne Avota on the baritone. When n[ex]t began in 2002, members included Meijere, Akmentiņa, founder Ilze Paegle and Madara Matroze.

The group’s name, as explained on its Web site, emphasizes “ex,” as in the past, and “next,” as in the future. In other words, n[ex]t plays compositions by classical composers (ex-composers?), as well as works by modern composers. The women also throw in jazz standards and music from movie soundtracks.

And, based on the video and audio clips posted on the quartet’s site, they have fun performing.

The foursome has yet to release an album, but has been laying down a number of tracks that could possibly end up in a recording, Meijere said in an e-mail.

Meanwhile, the four women have been busy touring around Latvia and abroad. Most recently they appeared in Estonia, but also have played in concerts in countries such as Finland, Germany, Norway and Russia.

For more on n[ex]t, visit the quartet’s Web site, www.nxt.lv, where you can also hear samples of the group’s music.

next

Saxophone quartet n[ex]t includes (from left to right) Inga Meijere, Arnita Akmentiņa, Jelena Kovaļenko and Kristīne Avota.

Andris Straumanis is a special correspondent for and a co-founder of Latvians Online. From 2000–2012 he was editor of the website.