Saturday, July 27

Name day: Marta, Dita, Dite

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Ieva Puķe

Ieva Puķe

Latvian Radio

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Positivus coming to Rīga, Lucavsala this weekend
Positivus coming to Rīga, Lucavsala this weekend
For many, this will be the long-awaited week of Positivus, the biggest festival in the Baltics. On Friday and Saturday, Lucavsala will host seven stages with performances by world stars, local musicians and a variety of unconventional musical groups.
Latvia to try to solve teacher shortage with more university seats
Latvia to try to solve teacher shortage with more university seats
In an effort to address the pressing shortage of teachers, the number of state-paid study seats in Bachelor's and Master's degree programs in education will double in four Latvian higher education institutions in the next academic year, as announced by the Education and Science Ministry (IZM) on Tuesday, July 9.
Latvia plans new funding model for universities
Latvia plans new funding model for universities
A new funding model is planned to be introduced for all state universities in 2026, which will give universities more autonomy, the Ministry of Education and Science has announced. Universities will be given more freedom to allocate public funding internally, Latvian Radio reported on June 18.
Thousands of teachers protest in Rīga(update)
Thousands of teachers protest in Rīga(update)
On Tuesday, 21 May, a couple thousand teachers gathered at a picket organized by the Latvian Education and Science Workers' Union in front of the government building to express their dissatisfaction with the Ministry of Education and Science's (IZM) proposal for balancing teachers' workloads.
Latvia blasts sloppiness of 'Der Spiegel' article
Latvia blasts sloppiness of 'Der Spiegel' article
Latvia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has written to the popular German magazine Der Spiegel to point out a host of inaccuracies and tendentious claims in a recent article about Russian speakers in Latvia, reports Latvian Radio.
New Riga Theatre returns to historic premises after seven years
New Riga Theatre returns to historic premises after seven years
After seven years of reconstruction, in March 2024, the New Riga Theatre (JRT) will return to its historic home. The return is celebrated with five events -- a book, film, and three shows -- that give viewers a chance to look back at theater history and watch the theater's opening new productions in all three halls, the theater announced.
Activist could face charges for helping migrants
Activist could face charges for helping migrants
On Wednesday, February 28, the Latgale District Court in Rēzekne is hearing the criminal case of Ieva Raubiško, a member of the well-known human rights organization "I Want to Help Refugees", concerning events that took place a year ago on the border between Latvia and Belarus, Latvian Radio reports.
Latvian reporters in Ukraine: Ina Strazdiņa of Latvian Television
Latvian reporters in Ukraine: Ina Strazdiņa of Latvian Television
In Latvian media, several reporters have become familiar voices reporting from the war in Ukraine. Ieva Vārna from TV3, Ina Strazdiņa from Latvian Television (LTV) and Indra Sprance from Latvian Radio have all filed moving and powerful reports from the front lines as well as telling stories about those behind the front lines in Ukraine. Over three days LSM will profile these excellent, brave journalists. 
Latvian Reporters in Ukraine: Ieva Vārna of TV3
Latvian Reporters in Ukraine: Ieva Vārna of TV3
In Latvian media, several reporters have become familiar voices reporting from the war in Ukraine. Ieva Vārna from TV3, Ina Strazdiņa from Latvian Television (LTV) and Indra Sprance from Latvian Radio have all filed moving and powerful reports from the front lines as well as telling stories about those behind the front lines in Ukraine. Over three days LSM will profile these excellent, brave journalists. 
Latvian reporters in Ukraine: Indra Sprance of Latvian Radio
Latvian reporters in Ukraine: Indra Sprance of Latvian Radio
In Latvian media, several reporters have become familiar voices reporting from the war in Ukraine. Ieva Vārna from TV3, Ina Strazdiņa from Latvian Television (LTV) and Indra Sprance from Latvian Radio have all filed moving and powerful reports from the front lines as well as telling stories about those behind the front lines in Ukraine. Over three days LSM will profile these excellent, brave journalists. 
Porcelain exhibition shows little-known page in Latvian, Estonian history
Porcelain exhibition shows little-known page in Latvian, Estonian history
What do Latvians have in common with Estonians? A lot, and among the many things it is the 60s, 70s and 80s porcelain. The dishes made by the Riga Porcelain Factory were taken to be painted by the northern neighbors. Examples are currently displayed at the Porcelain Museum in Riga in the exhibition “Riga and Tallinn meets”, Latvian Radio reports.
What has Latvia planned for Ukrainian integration in 2024?
What has Latvia planned for Ukrainian integration in 2024?
In less than two months, it will be two years since Russia launched a full-scale war in Ukraine. Latvia is reminded of this daily not only by news headlines, but also by a large number of Ukrainian refugees – around 33 thousand. How have the support measures changed over time, and what is planned for the future? Latvian Radio sought answers December 28.
Latvia's national guard numbers exceed 10,000
Latvia's national guard numbers exceed 10,000
The largest annual National Guard training “Namejs”, which is usually held in September and October, has ended, but also over the weekend in many places in Latvia, the public could see national guards in action. Intense training is needed as many new recruits have joined the ranks, Latvian Radio reported Saturday.
Michelin guide confirms entry into Latvia
Michelin guide confirms entry into Latvia
Entry to Latvia has been officially announced by the prestigious Michelin restaurant guide whose inspectors have already visited eateries in various places: on the coast of Kurzeme, in Jūrmala, Valmiera, Cēsis, Līgatne, and Tērvete.
Ogre plans EUR 1.7-million playground
Ogre plans EUR 1.7-million playground
While Rēzekne municipality is currently trying to overcome a financial crisis and plug the budget gap of almost four million euros, another municipality closer to Rīga, Ogre municipality, has kicked off to create a new children's playground of just under two million euros, taking out a loan to the Treasury, Latvian Radio reported on September 7.
Bio-waste sorting will be mandatory next year in Latvia
Bio-waste sorting will be mandatory next year in Latvia
From January 1, 2024, biological waste sorting will be mandatory in Latvia. Although sorting this waste may cause inconvenience to some, it is important for us to ensure that the waste mountains do not grow, Inese Avota, project manager of “Getliņi EKO” in the field of environmental education, told Latvian Radio September 6.
Strict monitoring planned of school transition to Latvian only
Strict monitoring planned of school transition to Latvian only
The biggest challenge of the next school year will be the transition to the Latvian language only in general education. Minister Anda Čakša (New Unity), together with the State Education Quality Service, promises enhanced inspections, Latvian Radio reported on August 23.
Mini-village open to visitors near Valmiera, Latvia
Mini-village open to visitors near Valmiera, Latvia
New tourism objects in Latvia do not come up often, let alone an entire village. In Valmiera municipality, Santa Paegle has fulfilled her dream of a mini-village, which is now open to visitors, Latvian Radio reported.
Latvia's tourism market livens up
Latvia's tourism market livens up
This summer season, the European tourism sector and Latvia's tourism industry are more optimistic than last year, Latvian Radio reported on June 10.
Ukrainian community center moves location
Ukrainian community center moves location
On Tuesday, the Ukrainian and ally community center Common Ground begins work at a new location in the Old Town of Rīga, Latvian Radio reported on April 18.
Russians start taking Latvian language exams
Russians start taking Latvian language exams
Upon failure to pass Latvian exams, Russian citizens are in danger of being expelled as of December 2, according to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP). On Tuesday, official language tests for Russian citizens began, Latvian Radio reported April 11.
Man fined EUR 50,000 for destroying eggs of protected bird
Man fined EUR 50,000 for destroying eggs of protected bird
The Vidzeme region court in Cēsis has slapped a man with a hefty fine of EUR 50,000 for the deliberate destruction of at least ten eggs of an endangered species, the black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundu), Latvian Radio reported on April 2.
Ministry dissatisfied with Saeima's debate over school entrance exams
Ministry dissatisfied with Saeima's debate over school entrance exams
A proposal recently emerged in the Saeima to ban schools from conducting entrance exams selecting the highest-achieving students. The discussion sparked controversy in society, following which the Saeima removed the question from its agenda. The Ministry of Education and Science (IZM) indicated on March 30 that the Saeima has in fact made it difficult to organize entrance exams this year, Latvian Radio reported.
In Latvia for 50 years, but no Latvian language: Ekaterina's story
In Latvia for 50 years, but no Latvian language: Ekaterina's story
Applications for a state language exam for Russian Federation citizens who live in Latvia are now being accepted. As of September 1, their residence permits will be voided if an A2 level of the state language is not presented. There are around 18,000 people like this in Latvia. Latvian Radio spoke to one of them, Ekaterina, who has lived in the territory of Latvia for nearly fifty years but does not know the language.
Hopes for domestic tourism revival in coming season
Hopes for domestic tourism revival in coming season
This summer, around third of Latvia's population intends to explore possibilities for domestic tourism according to survey data presented at the 'Balttour' tourism fair, which was held at the weekend in Rīga after a two-year pandemic-enforced break. 
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