Features
Latvia: the next hikers' paradise?
Latvia: the next hikers' paradise?
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?
Latvia and Germany singing together in the same choir
Latvia and Germany singing together in the same choir
Enjoying the power of song, the German Bundestag President Bärbel Bas recently attended the Latvian Song Festival anniversary celebrations. While visiting Riga, she also held political talks with five other speakers of parliaments, congratulated the newly inaugurated Latvian president and found a moment to talk to LSM.
Dancing together, in life and on stage
Dancing together, in life and on stage
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? 
Latvian Radio investigates LGBT+ issues in eastern Latvia
Latvian Radio investigates LGBT+ issues in eastern Latvia
The LGBTQ+ community in Latvia is often subject to intolerant comments and sometimes violent attacks. Not only do the comments come from social media but also the parliament. Latvian Radio's investigative broadcast Atvērtie faili analyzed the situation in Latvia's eastern region Latgale, where surveys have shown people to be the least tolerant with regard to LGBT issues.
How volunteers help the Latvian Song and Dance Festival happen
How volunteers help the Latvian Song and Dance Festival happen
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.  
Latvian project 'She Rebuilds the World' makes an impact in Africa
Latvian project 'She Rebuilds the World' makes an impact in Africa
In the scope of the first ever Latvian development cooperation project in Africa under the name ‘She Rebuilds the World’ there are currently 73 young ladies from Zambia and Namibia enrolled in the entrepreneurship program at the Riga Business School, Latvia.
La Lettonie en revue: Avril 2023
La Lettonie en revue: Avril 2023
Les articles ont été sélectionnés pour traduction au mois de mars et au début du mois d'avril et portent sur l'actualité politique et culturelle en Lettonie
How will Latvia's President be chosen on May 31?
How will Latvia's President be chosen on May 31?
The decisions of Latvia's parliament, the Saeima, on May 31, 2023 will reveal the identity of the country's head of state for the next four years. But what are those decisions, how are they made, and what happens afterward?
La Lettonie en revue: Janvier 2023
La Lettonie en revue: Janvier 2023
La nouvelle année 2023 a commencé et "La Lettonie en revue" continue. Les articles ont été sélectionnés à la seconde moitié de décembre 2022 et du janvier 2023. Cette fois, ils portent sur l'actualité politique, l'actualité économique, le soutien de la Lettonie à l'Ukraine, sur la Fête nationale du Chant et de la Danse.
The old, new voice from the West returns to Rīga
The old, new voice from the West returns to Rīga
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) was forced to suspend its operations in Russia – and has relocated to Latvia. The US-broadcaster has big plans with its new office in Rīga that marks the return of a Cold War-era
mass media outlet whose mission is still considered relevant.
Make your own Latvian Christmas decorations
Make your own Latvian Christmas decorations
If your tinsel is sagging, your candles are crumbling and the rest of your seasonal decorations look like they need a kick in the baubles, help is at hand! More fun, more beautiful and much more cost-effective is making your own traditional Latvian yuletide decorations.
Liepāja – the distinct charm of the 'stretched city'
Liepāja – the distinct charm of the 'stretched city'
It can feel like Liepāja is the city every Latvian - or at least every Rigan - would move to if only their jobs allowed it. That was certainly what I heard often enough during the three years I spent based there, until I left in early 2020. And it doesn’t take much head-scratching to see why: Latvia’s third-largest city is in a pretty extraordinary geographic location, held on a fragile span of land between the Baltic Sea and the sprawling Lake Liepāja, muffled on either side by thick forests and fringed by mile after mile of empty, pristine sand.
La Lettonie en revue: Décembre 2022
La Lettonie en revue: Décembre 2022
Les articles ont été sélectionnés pour traduction au mois de novembre et au mois de décembre et portent sur le nouveau gouvernement en Lettonie, sur les actualités dans les domaines social, politique, artistique et dans le monde du journalisme.
Latvian awaydays: science and technology tour
Latvian awaydays: science and technology tour
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. 
La Lettonie en revue: Novembre 2022
La Lettonie en revue: Novembre 2022
Les articles ont été sélectionnés au cours du mois d'octobre et de novembre et portent sur l'actualité politique, culturelle et sportive en Lettonie.
La Lettonie en revue: Octobre 2022
La Lettonie en revue: Octobre 2022
Les articles ont été sélectionnés pour traduction du 1er septembre au 7 octobre 2022, et portent sur l'actualité politique, sociale et sur le marathon des films lettons de cet automne
Religion in Latvia: Sēlpils Lutheran church
Religion in Latvia: Sēlpils Lutheran church
Due to Latvia’s turbulent history, many fine buildings have had to rise from the ashes of war. But few have had as many ups and downs as the Lutheran church in Sēlpils.
Religion in Latvia: the Lutherans of Lestene
Religion in Latvia: the Lutherans of Lestene
Compared to icon-and-incense rich Orthodox and Catholic churches, Latvia’s Lutheran places of worship are subdued affairs. But you can occasionally stumble across a real eye catcher.
La Lettonie en revue: Septembre 2022
La Lettonie en revue: Septembre 2022
"La Lettonie en revue" revient avec des traductions d'une sélection d'articles sur l'actualité politique, économique, culturelle et sportive en Lettonie. Les articles ont été choisis au courant du mois d'aout 2022.
Latvian awaydays: Lēdurga
Latvian awaydays: Lēdurga
Rīga Old Town, Jūrmala beach and Rundāle Palace are all major tourist attractions, but there's a lot more to discover in Latvia if you're prepared to venture off the usual tourist routes. In this series, we'll tell you about lesser-known attractions.

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