Friday, April 26

Name day: Rūsiņš, Sandris, Alīna

Public broadcasting of Latvia
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Māra Rozenberga

Latvijas Radio žurnāliste

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Remains of about 40 people excavated during roadworks in Rīga
Remains of about 40 people excavated during roadworks in Rīga
Experts say that the remains found during repair works at the Brasas bridge in Rīga are of Russian Army soldiers, who had been patients at the nearby Rīga Military Hospital. While the burial ground does not have identification markings, it is now clear that the Brasas bridge was built over part of the Rīga Garrison Cemetery, reported Latvian Radio July 26.
Exhibition showcases obscure technological inventions from the 80's
Exhibition showcases obscure technological inventions from the 80's
On June 6, the VEF Museum opened an unusual exhibition on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the former Latvian industrial flagship – the State Electrical Engineering Factory (VEF). The exhibition focuses on the lesser known pages in the annals of VEF – technologies that were produced as prototypes for further innovation in the 70's and 80's.
Abandoned railways in Vidzeme and Estonia become footpaths and cycling trails
Abandoned railways in Vidzeme and Estonia become footpaths and cycling trails
Over 250 km of abandoned railway lines have been turned into multi-use trails in Latvia's Vidzeme cultural region, offering ample opportunities for sports and exploration. The organizers of the €1m joint project between Latvia and Estonia, titled Green Railways, hope that this will encourage tourism and promote business development in the region.
Home is where the alpacas are
Home is where the alpacas are
British couple Joanna and Ian Storie have been living near the small Latvian town of Ērgļi for eleven years and have an interest in rural sustainable development - which most obviously manifests itself in the form of a large number of alpacas roaming their fields in central Latvia. 
Cunning Estonians infiltrate Latvian Song and Dance Festival
Cunning Estonians infiltrate Latvian Song and Dance Festival
Clever Estonians from Haanja, near the towering (318 meters above sea) Munamägi peak not far from the Latvian border, have made their way into the Latvian Song and Dance Festival. They achieved this in a large-scale covert operation, infiltrating the Veclaicene folk dance collective through the local cultural center.
Occupation museum to be rebuilt for €5.2m
Occupation museum to be rebuilt for €5.2m
After years of stalling and heated debate, Latvia's public property manager has inked an agreement for the reconstruction of the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia and adding a memorial to the building, reported Latvian Radio May 29. 
Voices of the dead take over theater stage
Voices of the dead take over theater stage
Konstantīvs Raudive (1909-1974) was an oddball of Latvian culture. A writer, philosopher, and husband of literary grande dame Zenta Mariņa, he also explored the voices of the dead. He said he was able to contact the spirit world via radiowaves, and he was quite well known among Western explorers of the paranormal following World War II.
Demand for Latvian Song and Dance Festival tickets sky high
Demand for Latvian Song and Dance Festival tickets sky high
This time around, 62% more tickets were on sale for the Song and Dance Festival as compared to the previous festival. Nevertheless, the demand for this year's hottest tickets was ten times higher than the supply, organizers say.
Number of Latvian visas issued stable
Number of Latvian visas issued stable
Last year, the demand for Latvian visas grew 0.34%, with around 172 thousand visas issued, or two thousand more than in 2016, reports Latvian Radio.
ABLV trouble puts question marks over future of modern art museum
ABLV trouble puts question marks over future of modern art museum
Troubles faced by ABLV Bank have put question marks about the future of the Museum of Contemporary Art. Cancellation would wipe out decades' worth of initiatives to allow enthusiasts see how Latvia's art has developed during the previous 50 years, reports Latvian Radio February 20. 
Beloved film critic dies at 95
Beloved film critic dies at 95
On February 16 beloved film critic and writer Valentīna Freimane passed away, just before what would have been her 96th birthday. 
Renovated Salaspils memorial opens new exhibition
Renovated Salaspils memorial opens new exhibition
The Salaspils Memorial, a key location in the holocaust history of occupied Latvia has finally unveiled its new permanent exposition, which will tell visitors about the complicated history of the Salaspils camp and will allow them to learn more about the no less complex story of the creation of the memorial itself. 
Man jumps off ferry near coast of Latvia
Man jumps off ferry near coast of Latvia
A young Lithuanian man jumped into the sea off the Isabelle ferry operated by Tallink late on January 20. Rescuers were unable to find him, reports Latvian Radio.
Relocated theater plagued by problems
Relocated theater plagued by problems
One of Latvia's most renowned cultural institutions has found a temporary new home. The only problem is it's not a very comfortable or practical one.
Culture foundation funding may be tied to excise tax revenue
Culture foundation funding may be tied to excise tax revenue
A political agreement has been reached over funding Latvia's State Culture Capital Foundation from excise tax revenue gained from cigarette and alcohol sales, as well as from the gambling tax, reported Latvian Radio's Māra Rozenberga on December 11.
See: Restored Freedom Monument revealed
See: Restored Freedom Monument revealed

The Freedom Monument was unveiled on October 19 following three-month long restoration works. It was extensively cleaned, including its three gilded stars, and as ever high-ranking officials were present to see Latvia's most recognizable monument brought back to close to mint condition.

Artist Ahilan Ratnamohan on what makes Latvians tick
Artist Ahilan Ratnamohan on what makes Latvians tick

A year ago, the performance artist Ahilan Ratnamohan knew next to nothing about Latvia. Now he's speaking proficient Latvian, loves our staple bread soup and is convinced that the cornerstone of Latvian identity is the country house.