Every five years, on the occasion of the Song and Dance Festival I find myself toying with the idea of joining a choir so that I could be a participant, not a spectator next time.
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Of the 9.6 million euros that medical tourists spent on medical services in Latvia in 2023, telemedicine services accounted for 1.09 million. These services benefited approximately 15,000 patients from countries including the United Kingdom, Spain, and Argentina. The sector is rapidly developing, encouraged also by support at the governmental level, reports Labs of Latvia.
Between 60% and 70% of soil in the European Union (EU) is unhealthy as a result of factors like how it is managed, climate change, pollution, and urban development. In Latvia, some of the actions contributing to soil degradation are the use of fertilizers, heavy agricultural machinery, and a reliance on historical land amelioration systems. These lead to issues such as mineral deficiencies and surpluses in the soil, water erosion, and soil compaction. Is anything being done about it?
For several years now, the Latvian Pirts and Spa Association has been deliberating over how to define the age-old Latvian pirts tradition. One must not confuse it with the Estonian smoke sauna, Nordic Aufguss ritual, or Native American sweat lodge – though it has certain similarities with all of these.
“It's too far”, “that's a ridiculous angle”, “this disc just isn't right for me” – my first time playing disc golf, I kept blaming everything but myself for the dire lack of decent throws. I did, however, appreciate the scenic surroundings on the banks of the river Aiviekste and the opportunity to be outside moving about after a day of screen time. While I was skeptical, I did slowly start to understand why people might like the sport that involves lobbing discs towards long-legged metal baskets trying to get them in with a minimum amount of strategic throws.
Travel brochures, promotional videos, and photos position Latvia as a place to venture into the wild and connect with nature. With more than 50% of the country covered in forest, it is undeniably green and enriched with lakes, rivers, swamps, and the coastline. But how accessible is this natural wilderness? Can you just hike wherever you like?
For Song and Dance Festival performers the actual 10-day spectacle is the culmination of months or, more likely, years of preparation. It means finding time for several rehearsals a week – a major commitment, which comes in addition to the choir, dance, or folk group's everyday activities, such as weekend performances. How do people juggle such an intense schedule with their other duties in life like being a parent and partner?
Along with over 40,000 performers, the organising team and all the paid service providers, another group contributes greatly to the Song and Dance Festival – volunteers. This year, 1,000 people are dedicating their free time to ensure the festival's success. The youngest among them is 16 and the oldest 82. They were chosen from more than 1,500 applicants.
Printful, the on-demand printing and fulfilment company and Latvia’s first and so far only unicorn company, has acquired U.S. company Snow Commerce, a managed service provider that designs and runs the e-commerce presence for major media and entertainment brands including Paramount, Warner Bros. Discovery, and NBC Universal, reported Labs of Latvia June 6.
An engineer by education, the Latvian-born but Stockholm-based Kristaps Prūsis went on to work in management consulting. After getting involved in several startups, he co-founded Vntrs venture studio and is its CEO. In the studio’s seven years of operation, it has invested in over 30 startups in the Nordic and Baltic region, including Beleco, Strawbees and Combify. It currently has offices in Stockholm and Tallinn with a total team of approximately 50 people.
The power of peas, beans and buckwheat, insect protein and new production technologies – Labs of Latvia looks at some of the innovations that local food producers are bringing to the table.
Over the next three years, the Latvian Hydrogen Association, waste management company ZAAO, the Vidzeme Planning Region and partners from Estonia and the Netherlands will work together to plan, develop and test the potential of green hydrogen in the transport sector in smaller regions, using the cooperation between Estonia’s Tartu and Latvia’s Vidzeme region as an example.
A science and tech-themed tour through Latvia gives insight into the past, present and future of the country. Several museums and attractions speak of the history of science, innovation and technological progress in Latvia, while newer additions foster interest in studying science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and developing a career in the field.