Commentary

Great Russia’s divine nationalistic mission

January 16, 2012

Speaking about languages, at times it seems that Russians, and especially politicians, do not understand how fatal their policies have been.

November 22, 2011

Reflecting on independence, ambassador to U.S. sees hope for future

Latvia’s honorary consuls! Dear fellow Latvians! I have the great pleasure of sending my greetings to you on Latvia’s 93rd anniversary of the proclamation of independence, as well as on the 20th anniversary since restoration of independence.

Publicēts 2011.11.17

Rupners: Piedalīsimies, ne tikai ar kritiku, bet ar radošu, palīdzīgu roku

Sveiks svētkos! Šajā mūsu valsts 93. gadskārtā visiem domas atgriežas pie Latvijas, pie tās Latvijas, kādu to atceramies, pie tās, par kādu cerējām, vai pie tās, kāda tā šodien ir. Katrs no mums izvēlēsies to Latviju, kādu gribēs pieminēt.

Publicēts 2011.09.26

Ir jāsaglabā latviešu mākslas nozīmīga vēstures daļa

Pasaules latviešu mākslas savienības (PLMS) pirmās divas ceļojošās izstādes (“Tēvu zemei Latvijai” un “Mākslinieks trimdā – latviešu bēgļu māksla, 1944-1950”) iepazīstināja plašāku publiku Latvijā, kā arī ārpus tās, ar PLMS galveno mērķi – dibināt Latvijā mākslas mūzeju un centru, kur tiks saglabāti un eksponēti ārpus Latvijas dzīvojošu latviešu mākslinieku darbi.

September 22, 2011

Election is victory for pro-western parties and a vote against corruption

It’s asking a lot to expect foreign editors of the media to understand Latvian politics. I’m fairly impressed when I meet a Canadian or American who even has a clue where Latvia is on the map.

Publicēts 2011.09.21

Latvija gatava uzņemties lielāku starptautisku atbildību

Latvija vienmēr ir atbalstījusi Apvienoto Nāciju Organizācijas spēcināšanu, jo tā ir vienīgā patiesi globālā, universālā un starptautiskā organizācija mūsu pasaulē.

Publicēts 2011.09.14

17. septembrī izdarīt gudru izvēli ar interneta palīdzību

Izdarīt izvēli, par ko balsot 17. septembrī gaidāmajās Saeimas ārkārtas vēlēšanās, ir sarežģīts un ļoti atbildīgs uzdevums, kas šobrīd nodarbina ļoti daudzus Latvijas pilsoņus gan Latvijā, gan arī ārpus tās.

June 20, 2011

Recalling June 14 not about revenge, but about survival, shared experience

Today I will be telling you a story about a piece of soap and the washing away of crimes.

May 25, 2011

Finding national security between free mobility and mass migration

While it may sound like a cliché to call migration a two-way street, in some countries, both directions on this street can pose a serious security threat if they go against the flow of national interests—especially if what began as a quiet street becomes a bustling superhighway.

Publicēts 2011.04.26

Valsts prezidenta redzējums Latvijai: Gudra un stratēģiska valsts

Vēlos, lai ar šo manu runu īsi pirms prezidentūras pirmā termiņa beigām Latvijā veidotos jauna tradīcija - Valsts prezidentam izvērtēt iepriekšējo četru gadu veikumu un sniegt savu redzējumu par turpmākajām prioritātēm valsts dzīvē un prezidenta darbā.

Publicēts 2011.02.22

Jūsu brīvība bija mūsu uzdevums

Dažas dienas pirms tās pilnvaru beigām oktobrī, 9. Saeima radīja divu šķiru trimdu, piešķirdama kādai Kanādas latvietei vienbalsīgā balsojumā pavalstniecību par nopelniem, nevis par politiski vēsturisko patiesību. Tādējādi, kas juridiski ir apšaubāms paņēmiens, vienbalsīgi apejot 1995.g. Pilsonības likumā spēkā esošo nepieļauto dubultpavalstniecību, dubultpilsonību.

February 09, 2011

For one Latvian, learning Russian unlocks Grebenshikov and richness of Rīga

The summer of 1998 was a good time to be a young American-Latvian. Of course, any time is good to be a young American-Latvian, but that summer was particularly good, especially if you happened to find yourself in Rīga during the Song and Dance Festival.

Publicēts 2011.01.25

2x2 ir vieta, kur atdzimt kopībā, latvietībā

Pēdējā 2x2 nometne, kas 2010.gada nogalē gleznainā Malibu apvidū Kalifornijā pulcēja vairāk nekā 100 latviešu jauniešu no ASV, Kanādas, Latvijas un citām latviešu mītnes valstīm pasaulē, apliecinājusi cik joprojām aktuāla un nozīmīga ir latviskā piederības apziņa ārpus Latvijas jau otrajā paaudzē dzimušajiem latviešiem, par ko Latvijā dzīvojošajiem, izrādās, nereti ir visai maz nojausmas.

January 12, 2011

53rd Arts Festival shows Latvians ‘down under’ still going strong

As the Latvian choristers filed up on stage you couldnt stop pinching yourself. It was just after Christmas, just under 30 degrees Celsius, quite pleasant for this time of year. Latvia itself was covered by a thick, woolly blanket of snow. Winter had well and truly set in, ready for the long haul.

Publicēts 2010.12.31

Prezidents: Apzināsimies savu vērtību, un mums viss izdosies!

Esiet sveicināti Vecgada vakarā!

Publicēts 2010.12.24

PBLA sveic latviešus Ziemassvētkos, stāsta par nākamajiem darbiem

Pasaules brīvo latviešu apvienība (PBLA) sveic latviešus visā pasaulē Ziemassvētkos! Vēlam jums daudz laimes Jaunajā gadā, panākumus personīgajā dzīvē un labu sadarbību ar latviešu centrālajām organizācijam jūsu mītņu zemēs!

Commentary archive »

Columns

Politics in Latvia

Language referendum to be pointless, but potentially harmful to Latvia

December 18, 2011

Latvia will go to a referendum sometime in the new year to vote on whether Russian should become the second official state language in Latvia.

Latvian Computing

There’s a Latvian app for that

November 23, 2011

It has been more than three years since the first Apple iPhone was introduced in the Baltics. Not only has the user interface and phone technology been constantly improving, but Latvian language support has become even better and new Latvian applications ranging from reading Latvian newspapers, checking tram timetables to translating Latvian text and listening to a favourite Latvian radio station have appeared in the iTunes App store.

Politics in Latvia

By supporting Russian language, Ušakovs shows he cannot be trusted

November 17, 2011

While the agonising process of forming a government in Latvia finally has been resolved, if not altogether happily, a more sinister challenge and one capable of doing great harm to the Latvian body politic has emerged.

Politics in Latvia

Voters left puzzled over weeks of post-election coalition-building

October 16, 2011

After the extraordinary Saeima elections of Sept. 17, Latvian voters have watched almost with disbelief at a shambles of a search for a viable coalition government.

Politics in Latvia

Deflated passion evident in buildup to Saeima election; polls results differ

September 13, 2011

After the passion of the July 23 referendum, in which 94 percent of voters supported former President Valdis Zatlers’ recommendation to dismiss the parliament, the weeks leading up to the election of the new Saeima on Sept. 17 have been generally lacklustre.

Commentary archive »

Blogs

Music

Secular choral music by Vasks featured on new Finnish label release

January 28, 2012

The Finnish record label Ondine, in cooperation with Latvijas koncerti, has released Plainscapes, a collection of Latvian composer Pēteris Vasks’ choral music performed by the Latvian Radio Choir and conducted by Sigvards Kļava.

Dažādi

Latvia invites Facebook users to ‘like’ it

January 27, 2012

Latvia’s official Facebook page, featuring video of a folksy white-haired man tossing logs into a stove, has been unveiled by the Latvian Institute, the government’s information and public relations agency.

Dažādi

Barikadopēdija details history of Latvia’s steps to renewed freedom

January 19, 2012

Barikadopēdija, an online encyclopedia examining the history of the barricades movement in Latvia, opened Jan. 19 at www.barikadopedija.lv.

Blogs archive »

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News

03 Feb 2012

Latvian state TV plans Internet channel for diaspora audience

Latvian State Television (Latvijas Televīzija, or LTV) is testing a new channel aimed at Latvians abroad, the head of the service told a radio audience on Jan. 2.

Blogs

28 Jan 2012

Secular choral music by Vasks featured on new Finnish label release

The Finnish record label Ondine, in cooperation with Latvijas koncerti, has released Plainscapes, a collection of Latvian composer Pēteris Vasks’ choral music performed by the Latvian Radio Choir and conducted by Sigvards Kļava.

Blogs

27 Jan 2012

Latvia invites Facebook users to ‘like’ it

Latvia’s official Facebook page, featuring video of a folksy white-haired man tossing logs into a stove, has been unveiled by the Latvian Institute, the government’s information and public relations agency.

In the forums

«Karš bez noteikumiem» posted by Peteris Cedrins on 02 Feb 2012

"The Suffering Olympics" posted by ambersun on 02 Feb 2012

Wisława Szymborska, 1923 – 2012 ... & ... posted by Peteris Cedrins on 02 Feb 2012

Let's talk about the weather posted by Džons Brauns on 01 Feb 2012

Martins Vanags: Neasimiletais Karins posted by Irena on 01 Feb 2012

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