http://latviansonline.com Latvians Online is a Web site for anyone interested in Latvia and Latvians. Features include regular news reports, discussion forums, an events register, product reviews and shopping. lv editor@latviansonline.com Copyright 2012 http://latviansonline.com/multimedia/article/7985/ http://latviansonline.com/multimedia/article/7985/ Biedrība “Par latviešu valodu” 9. februārī Rīgā atklāja akciju mudināt latviešus piedalīties 18. februāra referendumā un balsot pret grozījumiem Latvijas satversmē, kas noteiktu krievu valodu kā otro valsts valodu. Akcija ieskaita televīzijas reklāmas videoklipu ar nosaukumu “Celies un ej”, kurā dažādi sabiedrībā pazīstami cilvēki aicina skatītāju piedalīties referendumā. Government, Elections 2012-02-09 http://latviansonline.com/news/article/7984/ http://latviansonline.com/news/article/7984/ The hot-button language referendum scheduled Feb. 18 apparently has lots of voters abroad interested in letting their voice be heard, if figures from absentee ballot requests are any indication. Government, Elections 2012-02-08 http://latviansonline.com/blogs/article/7980/ http://latviansonline.com/blogs/article/7980/ Musica Baltica, a Latvian publisher specializing in scores and sheet music of Baltic composers, has released its first compact disc, Missa a cappella 1. Entertainment, Music 2012-02-06 http://latviansonline.com/news/article/7962/ http://latviansonline.com/news/article/7962/ 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. Computers and Internet, Entertainment, News and Media, Television 2012-02-03 http://latviansonline.com/education/article/7959/ http://latviansonline.com/education/article/7959/ Latvijai aktīvāk jāveido saikne ar ārzemēs dzīvojošiem latviešiem un ar elastīgām izglītības metodēm jādod iespēja apgūt latviešu valodu, kultūru un vēsturi. Education, Schools 2012-01-31 http://latviansonline.com/education/article/7954/ http://latviansonline.com/education/article/7954/ Saeimas Izglītības, kultūras un zinātnes komisija 31. janvārī diskutēs par latvisko izglītību ārpus Latvijas, ziņo Saeimas preses dienests. Education, Pedagogy, Schools 2012-01-30 http://latviansonline.com/blogs/article/7950/ http://latviansonline.com/blogs/article/7950/ 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. Entertainment, Music 2012-01-28 http://latviansonline.com/blogs/article/7943/ http://latviansonline.com/blogs/article/7943/ 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. Government, Society and Culture 2012-01-27 http://latviansonline.com/news/article/7942/ http://latviansonline.com/news/article/7942/ Calling his actions “brazen,” the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has charged a man from Latvia in a stock price manipulation scheme that allegedly netted him more than USD 850,000 in illegal profits. Society and Culture, Crime 2012-01-26 http://latviansonline.com/news/article/7941/ http://latviansonline.com/news/article/7941/ Police in the western Ireland county of Limerick are seeking the public’s assistance in tracing a 16-year-old Latvian girl who has been missing for one week. 2012-01-25 http://latviansonline.com/news/article/7940/ http://latviansonline.com/news/article/7940/ American-born Nils Muižnieks, who repatriated to Latvia and became a leader in human rights issues, has been elected the Council of Europe’s commissioner for human rights. Government 2012-01-24 http://latviansonline.com/news/article/7933/ http://latviansonline.com/news/article/7933/ A total of 85 polling stations in 41 countries—the greatest number ever—will be open outside the homeland on Feb. 18 for a national referendum to decide if Russian should become an official language alongside Latvian. Government, Elections, Initiative 2011 2012-01-20 http://latviansonline.com/news/article/7932/ http://latviansonline.com/news/article/7932/ The Constitutional Court will take up a case questioning aspects of Latvia’s initiative and referendum law, but it will not stop the Feb. 18 vote that could make Russian the country’s second official language. Government, Elections, Initiative 2011, Referendum 2011 2012-01-20 http://latviansonline.com/blogs/article/7931/ http://latviansonline.com/blogs/article/7931/ Barikadopēdija, an online encyclopedia examining the history of the barricades movement in Latvia, opened Jan. 19 at www.barikadopedija.lv. Computers and Internet, Social Science, History, Soviet occupation 2012-01-19 http://latviansonline.com/news/article/7930/ http://latviansonline.com/news/article/7930/ Latvia’s population plunged 13 percent during the first decade of this century and stood at less than 2.068 million last March, according to provisional results of the census announced Jan. 18. The census counted how many people were living in Latvia on March 1, 2011. Society and Culture 2012-01-18 http://latviansonline.com/news/article/7929/ http://latviansonline.com/news/article/7929/ The Feb. 18 referendum on granting official status to the Russian language will be a test of Latvian unity, leaders of Latvian central organizations abroad say in a Jan. 16 open letter. Government, Elections, Referendum 2011 2012-01-16 http://latviansonline.com/commentary/article/7928/ http://latviansonline.com/commentary/article/7928/ Speaking about languages, at times it seems that Russians, and especially politicians, do not understand how fatal their policies have been. Government, Elections, Referendum 2011 2012-01-16 http://latviansonline.com/blogs/article/7927/ http://latviansonline.com/blogs/article/7927/ Latvian countertenor Sergejs Jēgers has released his most recent album, Ave Maria, a collection of mostly sacred songs recorded in the Rīga Cathedral, accompanied by organist Diāna Jaunzeme. Entertainment, Music 2012-01-15 http://latviansonline.com/multimedia/article/7926/ http://latviansonline.com/multimedia/article/7926/ The Latvian band Otra Puse, on a two-week tour of the United States, performed Jan. 13 in Minneapolis. The first part of the concert featured songs from the group’s own repertoire, while during the second half the band’s covered songs by other well-known Latvian composers and performers. Otra Puse includes lead singer Normunds Pauniņš, keyboardist Ivars Makstnieks, and American-born Arnolds Kārklis on guitar. Entertainment, Music 2012-01-14 http://latviansonline.com/news/article/7925/ http://latviansonline.com/news/article/7925/ Reacting to concerns that the upcoming referendum on Russian as a second official language was worded unclearly, Latvia’s Central Election Commission has approved a new version that offers greater explanation. Government, Elections, Referendum 2011 2012-01-11