June 25, 2009

White House nominates next ambassador to Latvia

A resident of Virginia who is a career diplomat has been nominated by President Barack Obama to be the next U.S. ambassador to Latvia.

Judith Gail Garber, a deputy assistant secretary in the State Department’s Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, was nominated June 25, a White House spokesperson announced. She has been in her current post since October 2007, overseeing bilateral relations with Baltic, Nordic and Central European countries, according to her State Department biography.

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Izglītība

Sadarbībā ar Pasaules brīvo latviešu apvienību, piedāvājam resursus un pārdomas par latviešu izglītību ārzemēs.

Despite obstacles, non-Latvian parents succeed at language

May 20, 2009

When we think about Latvian language education, we usually think about the network of Saturday or Sunday schools for children of Latvian descent living abroad.…

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Skolu karte

Latviešu skolas ārzemēs

Sameklējiet latviešu skolas ārzemēs ar interaktīvo karti. » Aiziet!

Weather

Current conditions at Rīga, Latvia

16°C (61°F)

Humidity: 77%

Sky: clear skies

Conditions: clear

Wind: calm at 0 m/s

Visibility: greater than 10 km

Events

June 15

Wisconsin

BALSSI 2009 at UW-Madison

The Center for Russia, East Europe, and Central Asia and the Department of Scandinavian Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison hosts the Baltic Studies Summer Institute (BALSSI) from June 15-Aug. 7. Elementary Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian language courses will be offered, as well as lectures (in English) on Baltic history and culture and a rich program of cultural events related to the Baltic countries. Information and application materials are available on the BALSSI Web site, www.creeca.wisc.edu/balssi. The deadline for applications is April 13. BALSSI is sponsored by a consortium of 12 U.S. universities and receives additional support from the Association for the Advancement of Baltic Studies. For further information about BALSSI 2009, contact Nancy Heingartner, BALSSI program coordinator, at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or +1 (608) 262-3379.

June 28

Latvia

3x3 camp in northern Latvia

The first 3x3 camp in Latvia this summer will take place in Naukšēni near the Estonian border from June 28-July 5. The 3x3 camp is a week-long cultural and social experience for whole families, as well as singles. Children spend the days at fun and educational activities, while adults attend seminars and workshops about various Latvian topics, such as folklore, politics, literature, silversmithing, woodworking, and weaving. The 3x3 camps in Latvia often offer more than 30 seminars for adults. Seminars, workshops and children’s activities are led by experts in their respective fields from Latvia and abroad. All generations come together during the evenings for more activities and, of course, singing and dancing. Camps draw many local participants and space is limited, so early registration is recommended. For more information and to register contact the 3x3 liaison outside of Latvia, Līga Ruperte, at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). See also the 3x3 Web site at www.3x3.lv.

July 01

Ontario

XIII Latvian Song Festival in Canada

The XIII Latvian Song Festival in Canada is scheduled at various venues July 1-5, 2009, in Hamilton. For further information, visit www.latviansongfest.com.

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Did you know?

Limp Bizkit

Limp Bizkit’s DJ Lethal

DJ Lethal of the American rap-metal group Limp Bizkit was born in Rīga, Latvia. His real name is…

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Second day of the Latvian song festival

From opening concert to ‘Meldermeitiņa’

July 2, 2009

The second day of the 13th Latvian Song Festival in Canada included a number of events, from the opening concert, to art exhibits, to a sacred music concert, to a social evening by the harbor, to the debut of the musical “Meldermeitiņa.” In between festival-goers took in the marketplace in the Sheraton Hamilton Hotel or spent time catching up with old friends.

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Twitter updates from Hamilton

The 13th Latvian Song Festival in Canada takes place July 1-5 in Hamilton. Our correspondents will provide Twitter updates.

  • Arnis Gross

    Posted 03 Jul 2009 from web

    Nupat uzzināju, ka svētkos piedalās 350 dalībnieku no Latvijas!

  • Arnis Gross

    Posted 03 Jul 2009 from web

    Jewellery, newspapers, mittens, ryebread, stamps, sprats, latvian software - all at the tirdziņš

  • Latvians Online

    Posted 02 Jul 2009 from web

    Meanwhile, in Estonia it’s time for Laulupidu. http://www.laulupidu.ee/

  • Latvians Online

    Posted 02 Jul 2009 from web

    After “Meldermeitiņa,” festival-goers are having late drinks in the Crowne Plaza bar. And, wouldn’t you know it, the server is part Latvian.

  • Latvians Online

    Posted 02 Jul 2009 from mobile web

    Beidzies atklasanas koncerts. Daudz dziesmu, maz runu - loti patikami.

  • Latvians Online

    Posted 02 Jul 2009 from mobile web

    Dievturu daudzinajuma R. Spuris bridina, ka Latvijai draud kosmopolitisms un globalizacija.

  • Viesturs Zarins

    Posted 01 Jul 2009 from web

    Dziesmu Svetkos - Latvieši te, latvieši tur, no arzemem, no Latvijas, no Irijas ... Meklesim kopejo, to kas vieno - Dziesma un deja.

  • Viesturs Zarins

    Posted 01 Jul 2009 from web

    Great to run into latviesi from Edmonton, Winnipeg, Halifax, Michigan, Florida, Minnesota, not to mention Latvija and locals at Sidrabene.

  • Viesturs Zarins

    Posted 01 Jul 2009 from web

    I saw them back in 2000 at Brivdabas muzejs in Riga and today at Sidrabene. They’re as great as ever. Ceirulitis from Livani rocks!

  • Viesturs Zarins

    Posted 01 Jul 2009 from web

    Saules svetki at Sidrabene was great! Wouldn’t mind shifting DzSv to Sidrabene and spending the next four days there.

  • Latvians Online

    Posted 01 Jul 2009 from web

    Saules svētki Sidrabenē bija jauki, tādi mini-Dziesmu svētki. Varētu gandrīz teikt, ka ar tiem vien pietikts. Bet rīt ir jauna diena!

  • Latvians Online

    Posted 01 Jul 2009 from mobile web

    Parking at Sidrabene is getting tight, which must be a good sign.

  • Linda Balins

    Posted 01 Jul 2009 from web

    Ha ha! Saule no sirds spid un tagad tikai sola 1mm lietus kautkad sodien. Jutams ka Saules diena ir tomer laikam piepildijusies!!!

  • Linda Balins

    Posted 29 Jun 2009 from web

    Domaju ka Saules dienai japlano gerbties taka uz Janiem. Sola ari lietu!

  • Viesturs Zarins

    Posted 29 Jun 2009 from web

    Forecast for July 1 changed from rain to sun/isolated showers. Temp comfortable 22C/72F. Great program and day coming up at Sidrabene.

  • Latvians Online

    Posted 27 Jun 2009 from web

    Valdemārs “Woody” Zvanītājs of Tillsonburg, Ont., will offer his mother’s “Journey to Freedom” at the song festival. http://bit.ly/2lUqJB

  • Astride Silis

    Posted 26 Jun 2009 from web

    P.E. (dalib. edinas. vad.) zino: 2200 ‘Cadbury’ sokolades atvestas uz majam un izcieta karstumu ‘sveikas un vesalas’! visi brauksim ciemos!

  • Astride Silis

    Posted 26 Jun 2009 from web

    ONLINE ticket sales for dz sv will shut down on eve of Jun 28! Ticket center opens up at the Sheraton on July 1: 9am - see you in Hamilton!

  • Astride Silis

    Posted 26 Jun 2009 from bit.ly

    Thanks to Hamilton Tourism for this updated B and B listing! http://bit.ly/A2pnx

  • Astride Silis

    Posted 25 Jun 2009 from TwitPic

    http://twitpic.com/8fg4z - Vadonis jau klat!

Bird icon courtesy of Smashing Magazine

News

June 24, 2009

Traffic deaths show sharp decline

The number of people killed in Latvian road traffic accidents dramatically decreased last year, but the country still…

June 23, 2009

Latvia reports first case of H1N1

A woman who traveled to the United States and Canada is the first verified case of the H1N1…

June 18, 2009

Prime minister apologizes for Latvia’s hard times

Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis has apologized to the Latvian people for the serious tests they will have to…

June 17, 2009

Health minister steps down as Latvia faces budget reforms

Latvia’s Health Minister Ivars Eglītis has resigned, saying he will not be responsible for what cuts in the…

June 15, 2009

Institute: Latvia drops in global peace ranking

Political instability and internal conflict have contributed to Latvia dropping to 54th place in the Global Peace Index…

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Survey

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Reviews

Sound Poetry

These sound poets push dark buttons

June 14, 2009

In 2006, five guys formed a collective “quite accidentally,” becoming The Sound Poets—or S.P.B. This accident partially stems from the fact that most of the band members took academic degrees in subjects related more to the business world than to that of the arts. Through the band’s Web site, one gains the perception that they started their “band life” based more on a crap shoot than anything else.

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Commentary

Turning Latvian

July 02, 2009

One morning in early April I found myself on a shuttle bus bound for Brussels, that brave new center of 21st century Europe. Behind me sat a group of proud Baltic parents who had just flown in to visit their sons and daughters employed as translators and bureaucrats deep in the halls of the European Union.

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In the forum

The Jan. 13 protest

We were there. There was lots of energy (maybe different from last year) and, even more, anger... Unfortunately, I left more cynical than when I came.

Video released in support of Latvian Police anti drunk driving campaign posted by Wahabist on 03 Jul 2009

Keves dels Kurbads: second copy available from the Bookstore at Saulaine! posted by Kristine Kirsch Stivrins on 03 Jul 2009

Vai ir nepieciešami bērnudārzi latviešu bērniem pasaulē? posted by rauls on 02 Jul 2009

Looking for my aunt ILGA GRAVA! posted by leibovich on 01 Jul 2009

Do we have nothing to say posted by courlander on 30 Jun 2009

masks --- posted by Mikus E_ on 29 Jun 2009

Who celebrates "varda diena?" posted by ambersun on 29 Jun 2009

"Exiled by Russia: Casinos and Jobs" posted by ambersun on 29 Jun 2009

NHL draft posted by sniks on 29 Jun 2009

Latvian-American with EU membership: Health care while in Europe? posted by eriklacitis on 28 Jun 2009

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Music blog

Iļģi concert, streamed from Rīga, focuses on Midsummer

June 07, 2009

I watched a wonderful concert live over the Internet today. The post-folklore band Iļģi introduced its latest album, Isākās nakts dziesmas, with a set of both old and new material in Rīga’s Club Essential.

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Books blog

Jānis Osis

Grāmata par gleznotāju Jāni Osi

June 26, 2009

Monogrāfija Jānis Osis. 1926-1991 veltīta vienam no talantīgākajiem pēckara paaudzes māksliniekiem Jānim Osim, kuru var uzskatīt par Dieva dotu talantu, kurš varēja gleznot kā ainavas, tā industriālus motīvus - viss zem viņa otas pārvērtās par vīrišķīgas romantikas pilnu stāstu par dzīvi Baltijas jūras krastā. Diemžēl viņa dzīves laikā par viņu tika maz rakstīts, šī ir pirmā nopietnā publikācija.

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Festivals

What's new

Multimedia

02 Jul 2009

From opening concert to ‘Meldermeitiņa’

The second day of the 13th Latvian Song Festival in…

Opinions

02 Jul 2009

Turning Latvian

One morning in early April I found myself on…

Multimedia

01 Jul 2009

‘Saules svētki’ kicks off Hamilton festival

The 13th Latvian Song Festival in Canada, set this year…

Garāmejot

Links to news about Latvia and Latvians, plus other items found while surfing the Web.

Stars sign Skrastins to 2-year deal. The Associated Press reports the Latvian defenseman has signed a contract worth USD 2.75 million.

Riga thrives on solar energy. Toronto Star correspondent examines Latvian capital in the summertime.

Strange collateral prompts spiritual reflection. News of a odd Latvian loan guarantee is fodder for student journalist's column.

Imbi Paju: Memories Denied. A new blog focuses on the documentary film and book, Memories Denied, by Estonian journalist Imbi Paju, who examines "the crimes of communism and historical denial."

Latvian and Russian crises are worlds apart. Anders Aslund, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, argues in The Moscow Times that there is no reason to devalue the lat.

» Archive

Iz kolōnijām

Explore Iz kolōnijām, our growing guide to Latvian communities abroad. The project is supported by the Latvian government's Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration.

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