https://eng.lsm.lv/ eng.lsm.lv en https://eng.lsm.lv//assets/logo/lsm_hi.png https://eng.lsm.lv/ https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/14.07.2026-latvias-way-with-surnames-can-cause-problems-in-other-countries.a654964/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 14 Jul 2026 06:51:00 GMT 654964 In today's dynamic and global world, when borders between countries are becoming increasingly blurred and when Latvian citizens form families with citizens of other countries, travel and live all over the world, the rendering of surnames is an issue that can cause a number of problems. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/07.07.2026-more-than-a-suitcase-how-latvian-remigrants-feel-when-they-return-home.a654144/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 07 Jul 2026 09:48:00 GMT 654144 Returning to one's homeland after many years abroad often seems simple – pack your bags and go home. However, in practice, it is an emotionally complex process for many. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/14.04.2026-a-remarkable-rise-how-the-exile-riga-bakery-became-a-slice-of-australian-life.a642667/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 14 Apr 2026 07:54:05 GMT 642667 One of the most striking Latvian entrepreneurial success stories overseas was the "Riga Bakery" in Sydney, Australia, founded by Voldemars Bērziņš. From a small shop in post-war Australia, the company grew into one of the most prominent niche bread producers in the country. The bakery not only popularized the name of the Latvian capital in Australia, but also introduced Latvian bread traditions to a wider audience, supplying the east coast of Australia and exporting products as far as Singapore and Hong Kong.  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/05.04.2026-stockholm-latvian-school-still-going-strong.a641734/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sun, 05 Apr 2026 07:33:00 GMT 641734 There is a Latvian school in Stockholm every Saturday, which is attended by families from the surrounding area for whom it is important that their children do not lose touch with Latvia. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/28.01.2026-whats-in-the-irregular-latvian-suitcase.a631937/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 28 Jan 2026 07:37:00 GMT 631937 What's in the suitcase? No, it's not a question about the 'MacGuffin' in Kiss Me Deadly (or Repo Man, or Pulp Fiction, for that matter) but the question that will tantalize viewers of the excellent 'Irregular Latvian' YouTube channel. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/22.01.2026-returning-to-latvia-from-overseas-is-becoming-more-popular.a631135/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 22 Jan 2026 12:59:53 GMT 631135 Latvian Radio's regular show 'Global Latvian. 21st Century." reports that last year, 882 Latvians returned home from abroad to live in Latvia with the help of re-emigration (or 'remigration') coordinators – which is about 100 more than the year before. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/07.11.2025-diaspora-also-rallied-thursday-against-latvia-exiting-istanbul-convention.a621525/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 07 Nov 2025 05:51:00 GMT 621525 On the evening of 6 November, protests against Latvia's intention to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention took place in at least 13 European cities, as well as in the USA and Canada, according to the diaspora portal Latviesi.com and LSM.lv.  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/03.11.2025-latvian-ambulance-drivers-are-on-rotation-in-ukraine.a620878/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 03 Nov 2025 08:43:00 GMT 620878 Latvian volunteer ambulance drivers have already helped hundreds of wounded people in Ukraine. This is a project of the Latvian organization "Ganta Fonds", which is still ongoing, to help Ukrainian medics and wounded soldiers. A Latvian Television (LTV) film crew met with the Latvian volunteers in Ukraine to follow them in their work. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/31.08.2025-latvias-expo-osaka-participation-adjudged-a-success.a612424/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sun, 31 Aug 2025 07:43:15 GMT 612424 There is more interest in Latvia and Lithuania at the EXPO event, currently taking place in Osaka, Japan, than there was in the equivalent event in Dubai four years ago, reports Latvian Television. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/22.08.2025-latvias-diaspora-scientists-invited-to-join-database.a611359/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 22 Aug 2025 08:38:00 GMT 611359 Latvian researchers living and working around the world are being invited to join the “researchLatvia” Diaspora Scientists Database – a virtual platform that helps find cooperation partners, share experiences, and develop new projects together with colleagues from Latvia and abroad, reports Labs of Latvia. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/06.08.2025-study-to-examine-potential-economic-impact-of-latvias-diaspora.a609399/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 06 Aug 2025 07:49:00 GMT 609399 In collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences (ESZF) at the University of Latvia (UL) has launched an interdisciplinary study into the economic contribution potential and investment capacity of the Latvian diaspora, reports Labs of Latvia. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/31.07.2025-jekabpils-group-happy-to-perform-in-belarus-despite-war-and-warnings.a608726/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 31 Jul 2025 10:06:00 GMT 608726 A video has been circulating on social media showing Latvians performing in Belarus last week. The group can be heard singing songs in the Latgalian language.  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/30.05.2025-photo-exhibition-to-showcase-latvians-postwar-lives-in-britain.a601310/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 30 May 2025 17:38:00 GMT 601310 The museum and research center “Latvians in the World” will be opening a new photographic exhibition “Blezūra skats (Blezūrs' perspective). Latvian life in Great Britain, 1960s-1980s”. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/25.03.2025-baiba-braze-to-meet-us-diaspora-attend-special-flow-event.a592937/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 25 Mar 2025 14:50:00 GMT 592937 On 24 and 25 March 2025, Latvia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, is on a working visit to the United States. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/02.02.2025-dozens-of-latvians-face-potential-deportation-from-the-united-states.a586156/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sun, 02 Feb 2025 10:05:00 GMT 586156 The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has 125 Latvian nationals on its list of nearly 1.5 million deportable persons, Estonian public broadcaster ERR and Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT report, citing a list published by US media. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/21.01.2025-easy-to-find-work-hard-to-find-a-place-to-live-latvian-students-in-the-netherlands.a584504/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 21 Jan 2025 09:42:35 GMT 584504 The Netherlands is a popular destination for prospective foreign students. One and a half thousand young Latvians study there, and this number continues to grow every year. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/27.09.2024-latvian-2x2-culture-camp-to-make-australian-debut-in-2025.a570424/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 27 Sep 2024 10:41:00 GMT 570424 In the summer of 2025 from June 22 to 29, the popular "2x2" cultural camp for young peple will be held for the first time in Australia at "Dzintari", located 60 km from Adelaide. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/16.08.2024-forum-of-latvian-professionals-working-for-international-organisations-taking-place-in-riga.a565133/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 16 Aug 2024 07:00:00 GMT 565133 August 16 sees the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosting the 3rd Forum of Latvian Professionals Working for International Organisations. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/15.08.2024-new-latvian-diaspora-ambassador-in-place.a565132/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 15 Aug 2024 08:39:00 GMT 565132 On 15 August 2024, career diplomat Zanda Grauze will take up the post of Ambassador-at-Large at the Diaspora Group on a rotational basis, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/23.06.2024-latvians-adapt-to-celebrate-midsummer-around-the-world.a559104/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sun, 23 Jun 2024 10:32:00 GMT 559104 St. John's cheese made of feta and mozzarella, secretly braided wreaths and a ban on bonfires – Latvians around the world have to be creative to celebrate Jāņi (St. John's Day or Midsummer) reports Latvian Radio's Global Latvian. 21st century". https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/17.06.2024-researcher-explores-traumatic-experiences-of-latvian-refugees.a558323/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 17 Jun 2024 10:05:00 GMT 558323 Maija Krūmiņa, lead researcher of the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology of the University of Latvia, has analyzed the experiences of 70 families that became refugees at the end of the Second World War in her doctoral thesis, reported the Latvian Radio program "Global Latvian. 21st century." https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/22.05.2024-initiative-hopes-to-ramp-up-latvian-diaspora-investments.a554958/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 22 May 2024 09:12:00 GMT 554958 In order for Latvians living abroad to invest capital in Latvian companies, the re-emigrant organization Ar pasaules pieredzi Latvijā (With world experience in Latvia) has created a new diaspora initiaitive which was discussed by members of the Saeima together with state institutions on Tuesday, May 21, at the meeting of the Saeima Subcommittee on Business Development. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/23.01.2024-latvian-government-agrees-diaspora-work-plan.a540042/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 23 Jan 2024 14:58:13 GMT 540042 On January 23, the Latvian Cabinet of Ministers approved a Plan for Work with the Diaspora for 2024–2026 . which aims to "move ahead with a common approach to the diaspora policy, defining the priority areas, objectives and deliverables of the policy implemented by Latvia’s public authorities," according to an official release.  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/25.10.2023-exhibition-traces-longstanding-links-of-overseas-latvians-to-their-homeland.a529091/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 25 Oct 2023 08:14:20 GMT 529091 On October 31, the museum and research center Latvieši Pasaulē (Latvians in the World) will open a new exhibition chronicling the lives of Latvians living overseas over many years and for many reasons.  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/20.10.2023-latviesicom-asks-for-contributions-to-world-festival-map.a528561/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 20 Oct 2023 09:13:03 GMT 528561 On November 18, independent Latvia will mark its 105th anniversary. The portal Latviesi.com invites Latvian organizations and communities to send their November 18 celebrations outside Latvia to create a joint map. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/24.07.2023-latvian-travelers-advised-to-avoid-greek-wildfire-zones.a517608/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 24 Jul 2023 14:43:41 GMT 517608 Latvians planning holidays to Greece are being advised to consider ther destination and plans carefully in view of deadly wildfires in the country. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/28.06.2023-diaspora-choirs-ready-for-song-and-dance-festival.a514578/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 28 Jun 2023 08:48:24 GMT 514578 No fewer than 87 diaspora collectives will participate in this year's Song and Dance Festival, including 12 from the United States, five from Australia, and two from Brazil; there will be collectives from Japan and Ukraine, but most, of course, will come from Europe.  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/26.06.2023-jani-festival-in-england-gathers-thousands.a514230/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 26 Jun 2023 04:58:53 GMT 514230 With a three-day festival living in tents in the Central England Straumēni grasslands, 4,500 Latvians and other visitors have celebrated Midsummer (Līgo, Jāņi) in Britain. The Bērzes Strazdu festival takes place for the 11th time and this year was the largest celebration outside Latvia. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/23.06.2023-jani-festival-celebrated-by-latvians-worldwide.a514032/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 23 Jun 2023 07:03:00 GMT 514032 From the neighboring countries of Lithuania and Estonia to far-flung Thailand and South Korea, this year Latvian communities around the world  will celebrate Jāņi (Midsummer) in at least 50 events in 21 countries, according to information collected by diaspora media Latviesi.com. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/05.06.2023-latvians-there-research-sheds-light-on-the-lives-of-latvians-in-britain.a507888/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 05 Jun 2023 07:38:00 GMT 507888 Doctor of Communication Science, Mārtiņš Kaprāns, recently published some fascinating research into the lives of Latvians living in the United Kingdom.  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/01.06.2023-mobile-latvian-passport-bureau-on-tour-in-canada.a510842/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 01 Jun 2023 06:14:00 GMT 510842 Latvians resident in Canada will be able to take advantage of a 'mobile passport station' in June for the issuance of passports and eID cards. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/22.05.2023-class-reunion-for-high-flying-munster-latvian-gymnasium-alumni.a509683/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 22 May 2023 13:15:16 GMT 509683 It was a big reunion with lots of anecdotes and funny stories:  More than 100 former students, teachers and friends of the former Latvian Gynasium in Münster recently came together in Rīga to chat, joke and reminisce about their old school days. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/latvias-international-representatives-compare-notes.a469782/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 17 Aug 2022 15:31:11 GMT 469782 On August 17 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a Forum of Professionals Working for International Organisations. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/estonian-region-wants-latvian-tourists-to-replace-russians.a456024/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 10 May 2022 07:03:24 GMT 456024 The north-eastern Estonian region of Ida-Viru is dropping efforts to attract tourists from Russia and will instead be promoting its attractions to Latvians, reports Estonia's ERR News. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/official-guidance-for-latvians-still-in-ukraine.a445060/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 24 Feb 2022 07:21:00 GMT 445060 Latvia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued official guidance to Latvian nationals still in Ukraine amid the ongoing Russian invasion. It is reproduced below: https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/new-official-latvian-diaspora-facebook-page.a442430/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 08 Feb 2022 07:19:58 GMT 442430 Latvia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has unveiled a new resource for members of the Latvian diaspora around the world: a dedicated Facebook page. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/latvias-ambassador-to-australia-now-in-place.a425407/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 13 Oct 2021 08:05:00 GMT 425407 On 13 October 2021 in Canberra, an accreditation ceremony took place for the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Latvia to the Commonwealth of Australia, Marģers Krams. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/latvian-diaspora-figure-janis-kukainis-dies.a421643/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 16 Sep 2021 14:34:00 GMT 421643 Latvian diaspora figure Jānis Kukainis has passed away, according to a tweet by Latvian President Egils Levits on September 16. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/union-of-european-latvians-marks-its-70th-anniversary.a415294/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 02 Aug 2021 17:11:00 GMT 415294 On 31 July 2021, the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, and the Ambassador-at-Large for the Diaspora, Elita Gavele, took part in a meeting of members of the Union of European Latvians (ELA) to mark its 70th anniversary, the Ministry said in a release. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/diaspora-youth-learn-latvian-at-summer-school.a414619/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 28 Jul 2021 10:14:00 GMT 414619 A remote summer school course for diaspora youth at the University of Latvia (LU) has come to an end.  More than 40 students from different countries participated and learned about the Latvian language and culture, Latvian Radio reported July 28. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/diaspora-invited-to-participate-in-online-seminar.a397782/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 23 Mar 2021 08:41:00 GMT 397782 Members of the Latvian diaspora community around the world are invited to take part in an online seminar hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the World Association of Free Latvians (PBLA). https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/latvia-welcomed-many-permanent-returnees-last-year.a394335/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 03 Mar 2021 06:50:00 GMT 394335 Last year, over a thousand people returned to live in Latvia through the support provided by remigration officers, Latvian Radio reported February 26. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/new-research-on-attracting-diaspora-youth-to-education-in-latvia.a391878/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sat, 06 Feb 2021 14:12:48 GMT 391878 On 5 February 2021, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted an online presentation of the most recent research by the Centre for the Diaspora and Migration Studies of the University of Latvia (LU DMPC), “Attracting the young members of the diaspora to education institutions in Latvia”, with participation of its authors, Dr. Rita Kaša and Dr. Olga Cara. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/latvian-entrepreneurs-throughout-europe-form-collaboration-network.a389951/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 22 Jan 2021 13:54:00 GMT 389951 On January 21, the first European Latvian networking event took place, which brought together 75 entrepreneurs and active Latvian nationals from all over Europe. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/latvia-develops-diaspora-policy-plan.a388987/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 15 Jan 2021 05:38:00 GMT 388987 A year ago there were more than 370 thousand Latvian citizens living outside Latvia, according to data from the University of Latvia. A plan has been developed to strengthen their relationship with Latvia during the period 2021-23, the Foreign Ministry said January 14. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/many-families-with-children-returned-to-live-in-latvia-in-2020.a388591/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 12 Jan 2021 12:03:00 GMT 388591 Rīga region in 2020 saw the return of 260 remigrants who plan to stay in Latvia for good, Rīga planning region representative Inese Ozoliņa said January 12. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/many-uk-latvians-considering-return-home.a386906/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 28 Dec 2020 09:44:00 GMT 386906 One in ten members of the Latvian expat community currently living in the United Kingdom has considered emigrating during the COVID-19 pandemic according to an online survey conducted by Mārtiņš Kaprāns, a researcher at the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology of the University of Latvia. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/american-latvian-association-talks-us-new-presidency.a382298/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 19 Nov 2020 10:22:00 GMT 382298 Joe Biden's victory in the US presidential election is good news for Latvia, said Pēteris Blumbergs, president of the Latvian American Association (ALA) in an interview with Latvian Radio. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/latvian-cafe-business-flourishes-in-england.a376070/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 29 Sep 2020 07:27:00 GMT 376070 Miks Vizbulis, a Latvian resident in England, has opened his second small cafe, despite the pandemic, at the end of September, Latvian Television reported September 29. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/latvians-abroad/new-ambassador-at-large-for-latvian-diaspora-starts-work.a375207/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 22 Sep 2020 08:57:00 GMT 375207 On 21 September 2020, Elita Gavele took up the post of Ambassador-at-Large for the Diaspora at Latvia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to an official statement.