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/features/features/12.07.2026-the-deep-roots-of-resilience-what-a-crown-taught-me-about-todays-ukraine.a654669/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sun, 12 Jul 2026 10:00:00 GMT 654669 Have you ever held a real crown in your hands? Not just looked at it from behind glass, but actually felt its weight, touched its curves, and placed it on your head? I have that experience, and I am ready to share it. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/11.07.2026-otto-fischer-legendary-football-trainer-of-the-barcelona-of-the-baltics.a654712/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sat, 11 Jul 2026 09:43:00 GMT 654712 Even in Liepāja, the name Otto Fischer is little known these days. Yet the Austrian-Jewish football coach was once the talk of the city and left an indelible mark in the history of Latvian football. Now his achievements have finally been honored and brought back into the public memory. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/07.07.2026-latvias-stormin-normunds-is-in-his-element.a654123/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 07 Jul 2026 07:28:00 GMT 654123 A major heat wave hit much of Europe recently, bringing historically high temperatures to several European countries, and in some places this heat has culminated in strong, damaging storms.  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/04.07.2026-the-90-year-old-keeping-the-flame-of-latvian-folklore-alive.a653848/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sat, 04 Jul 2026 08:48:00 GMT 653848 There won't be many bathhouse attendants in Latvia who continue to use their skills at the age of 90. For Līgatne resident Līga Aizupiete, her job is still a passion, and she has her own special bathhouse ritual. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/30.06.2026-inna-from-odesa-can-tell-you-all-about-riga.a653304/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 30 Jun 2026 13:27:30 GMT 653304 Inna from Odesa planned to work as a doctor in Latvia, as she has extensive work experience in Ukrainian medical institutions. However, due to bureaucracy, it didn't work out. As a result, she radically changed her profession. She studied to become a tour guide, because history is her hobby, and now that's what she does, based in Ventspils with her family. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/13.06.2026-books-and-barons-the-latvian-return-of-freiherr-campenhausen.a651349/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sat, 13 Jun 2026 09:45:00 GMT 651349 Lēdurga recently welcomed a special guest. A descendant of the Baltic-German family that founded the village returned for a private charity initiative – together with German-language books for the local library. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/02.06.2026-what-should-families-do-in-a-serious-emergency-experts-provide-tips.a649775/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 02 Jun 2026 14:32:42 GMT 649775 Concerns about drones entering Latvian airspace and the start of summer vacation, when children are more likely to stay home alone, have raised the issue of each family's individual action plan in emergency situations. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/18.05.2026-is-it-possible-for-a-foreigner-to-become-a-latvian.a647592/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 18 May 2026 09:40:22 GMT 647592 Latvian Radio's 'Global Latvian' show, which covers diaspora issues, had an interesting broadcast this week examining the experiences of three foreign-born persons who have chosen to make Latvia their home. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/09.05.2026-a-german-latvian-singalong-in-the-universal-language-of-music.a646192/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sat, 09 May 2026 07:32:00 GMT 646192 Music connects many things – including countries. This is undoubtedly true also for Latvia and Germany, and was impressively demonstrated at the Deutsch.koris concert during the recent German Language Month in Latvia. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/16.04.2026-peteris-vasks-at-80-i-want-to-tell-you-the-most-important-and-essential-thing-through-sounds.a643218/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:01:00 GMT 643218 The world-renowned Latvian composer Pēteris Vasks celebrates his 80th birthday on April 16th and took time to speak to LSM to mark the occasion. The composer reflects on his life and continuing creativity in a conversation with LSM journalist Aneta Ašmane-Vilsone, a shortened version of which you can read below. You can find the full-length version here.  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/11.04.2026-latvian-human-rights-expert-muiznieks-everything-is-basically-black-and-white-now.a642504/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sat, 11 Apr 2026 08:41:00 GMT 642504 Russia’s war in Ukraine has changed many things in Latvia – including for the biggest ethnic minority living in the country. LSM talked to distinguished Latvian political scientist and human rights expert Nils Muižnieks about the requirement on Russian citizens residing in Latvia who now have to demonstrate basic Latvian language proficiency – or face potential expulsion. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/01.04.2026-weather-guaranteed-across-almost-all-of-latvia-on-april-1.a641307/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 01 Apr 2026 05:23:35 GMT 641307 On Wednesday, weather forecasters forecast weather across the territory of Latvia. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/01.04.2026-news-in-complicated-latvian-31st-march-2026.a641306/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 01 Apr 2026 05:20:00 GMT 641306 Every day, Latvian Radio 1 broadcasts a summary of the news stories in an often overwritten language format. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/24.03.2026-former-militia-officer-dont-visit-belarus-sanctions-are-working-system-is-rotten.a640137/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 24 Mar 2026 07:04:00 GMT 640137 A former Belarusian police militia officer, now a representative of the Belarusian democratic forces organization "BelPol", Uladzimir Zhihar, has told LSM's Russian-language service in an interview about the increasing militarization of Latvia's neighbour. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/09.03.2026-i-want-to-kick-speakers-into-the-river-gauja.a638090/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 09 Mar 2026 15:06:00 GMT 638090 I am not by nature an angry, let alone a violent, man, but I fear municipal efforts to make me calm and relaxed are turning me into a sociopath. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/03.03.2026-nine-family-friendly-riga-museums.a637190/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 03 Mar 2026 13:01:38 GMT 637190 LSM's Latvian-language service has compiled a list of museums in the Latvian capital city that are particularly family- and child-friendly. We'll dispense with its lengthy preamble and just get straight into the list, but please bear in mind that being child-friendly does not necessarily mean that English-language information is also available. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/20.02.2026-future-of-music-is-human-says-latvias-sonarworks.a635557/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 20 Feb 2026 08:25:00 GMT 635557 For most of the past century, the role of a music producer encompassed a careful balance of craft, judgment, technical skill, and taste. Producers shaped performances, sculpted sound, managed personalities, and translated emotion into recordings. Technology has always played a role in that process, but it largely functioned as an extension of human intent. Consoles, tape machines, synthesizers, DAWs, and plugins responded to decisions made by people. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/25.01.2026-12-startup-events-not-to-miss-in-latvia-in-2026.a631482/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sun, 25 Jan 2026 11:05:00 GMT 631482 The year is already moving fast, and if you’re a startup founder or ecosystem professional, now is the perfect time to mark your calendar for the year’s most important startup events, according to Labs of Latvia. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/21.01.2026-helping-to-unlock-the-potential-of-latvias-experienced-women.a630873/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 21 Jan 2026 08:16:20 GMT 630873 Ingrīda Pērkone, founder of the association Sievietēm 50+ (Women 50+), wants to create Latvia’s first digital career and personal growth platform designed specifically for women aged 50 and over. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/16.01.2026-finnish-fraudster-arrested-in-riga.a630276/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 16 Jan 2026 11:51:00 GMT 630276 On Thursday, police in Rīga arrested Arto Autio, who is on Europe's Most Wanted list and is wanted in Finland for trial in the country's biggest corruption scandal and who owns property here. The arrest was confirmed to the investigative journalism platform Re:Baltica by the Prosecutor General's Office, eyewitnesses, and people associated with his business, Re:Baltica reports. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/07.01.2026-baltic-states-aim-for-resilience-on-rails.a626451/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 07 Jan 2026 07:26:00 GMT 626451 Rail Baltica is to connect the Baltic States with the rest of Europe by 2030. The high-speed rail link is about to bring the railway networks of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania together with Western Europe. This has become even more important after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – both strategically and for military mobility. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/01.01.2026-what-will-change-in-latvia-in-2026.a628181/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 01 Jan 2026 07:34:00 GMT 628181 In 2026, the minimum wage will increase, there will be greater support for families with children, lower value added tax (VAT) on some food products, and more expensive alcohol and tobacco. The portal LSM.lv summarises what else will change in 2026. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/22.12.2025-building-up-borders-how-the-baltic-states-are-reinforcing-natos-eastern-flank.a626450/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 22 Dec 2025 09:26:00 GMT 626450 Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are building up a continuous front against the possibility of aggression and securing their borders with Russia and Belarus. The Baltic Defence Line foresees physical barriers and defence systems all along the potential front line. But will it be enough? https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/12.12.2025-exploring-the-baltic-states-rich-military-heritage.a624523/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 12 Dec 2025 11:38:00 GMT 624523 Military heritage tourism invites people to travel and learn about history right where it happened. Especially in the Baltics many former battlegrounds, military sites and other visible landmarks still exist. Now a new joint project maps out objects in Latvia and Lithuania – and has been presented to international journalists and tour operators. LSM joined the tour to objects and sites of the First and Second World War as well as the Cold War. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/11.12.2025-eight-indie-ai-tools-developed-in-latvia.a625866/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 11 Dec 2025 06:49:00 GMT 625866 The world has been taken by storm by the rise of vibecoding and the opportunities that have arisen thereof. AI has drastically lowered the barrier to entry to build your own tools – with tools like Lovable, Copilot,  Alloy, and Natively, you don’t need to be a trained developer to turn an idea into reality, according to Labs of Latvia.  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/25.11.2025-five-things-to-know-about-latvias-mobile-phone-emergency-warning-system.a623674/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 25 Nov 2025 07:14:00 GMT 623674 Latvia has introduced a new early warning tool for the safety of its citizens and visitors – cellular or mobile phone warning messages. As with any new technology, it raises several questions and also more than one misconception. Five important facts about how the warning system works and what to do when you receive such a message are here outlined by Ivars Nakurts, Deputy Chief of the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD).  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/16.11.2025-the-abc-of-the-oldest-latvian-primer.a622491/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sun, 16 Nov 2025 09:03:00 GMT 622491 Marking the advent of Latvian and Estonian books in 1525, the Latvian National Library has highlighted the shared history of language primer in both countries in a special exhibition. Their oldest surviving ABC books carry a common illustrative motif that has connected them with the cradle of Reformation – and is still used today. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/13.11.2025-megans-remarkable-return-to-riga-25-years-after-tragedy-changed-the-course-of-her-life.a622330/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 13 Nov 2025 09:54:00 GMT 622330 Megan McKeon was born in Rīga in 2000 with the name Vladislava Čeremniha. While still a baby, her mother drunkenly dropped a lit cigarette into her crib. The resulting fire caused her horrendous, life-changing injuries. She was subsequently adopted by a family in the United States but this summer, 25 years on, she returned to Latvia, not only to seek peace with her mother, but also to be reunited with Arta Bārzdiņa, a doctor at the Children's Clinical University Hospital (BKUS), who saved Megan's life. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/01.11.2025-latvia-and-saxonia-anhalt-on-the-same-page-of-reformation-history.a620730/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sat, 01 Nov 2025 09:11:00 GMT 620730 A letter from Martin Luther for the Latvian National Library: Saxony-Anhalt Prime Minister Haseloff has honoured the common history of his land and the Baltic States during a visit to Riga with a special gift – and also commended the 500th anniversary of the first printed Latvian-language book. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/28.10.2025-two-doctors-continue-seeing-patients-in-latvia-after-ban-in-finland.a620066/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 28 Oct 2025 08:43:08 GMT 620066 More than 100 doctors banned from practising in one European country for serious offences continue to work in another. At least two such doctors are also employed in Latvia, an international investigation, in which the Latvian investigative journalism media Re:Baltica took part, has revealed. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/13.10.2025-baltic-music-industry-joins-forces-for-ireland-music-week.a618129/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 13 Oct 2025 12:55:00 GMT 618129 Ireland Music Week took place in Dublin for the 23rd time this October, placing a special focus on the Baltic States. The event was attended by more than thirty delegates from the Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian music industries, and the Baltic scene was represented by Vultura, mariin k and Plié. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/10.10.2025-interview-ryanairs-chief-commercial-officer-on-airlines-baltic-plans.a617893/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 10 Oct 2025 12:43:00 GMT 617893 “The Baltic states are an important element on Ryanair’s map, but various cost increases at Baltic airports are making it harder to compete with Western Europe,” Ireland’s low-cost carrier Ryanair’s Chief Commercial Officer Jason McGuinness told Latvian Television. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/09.10.2025-reminder-new-latvia-and-eu-border-entry-rules-from-october-12th.a617670/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 09 Oct 2025 10:09:00 GMT 617670 From October 12th, 2025, the new European Union Entry/Exit System (EES) will start operating in Latvia, as well as in other European countries. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/23.08.2025-calendar-riots-at-the-freedom-monument-in-riga-on-23-august-1987.a611384/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sat, 23 Aug 2025 10:29:00 GMT 611384 The year 1987 saw the beginning of the “Singing Revolutions” in the Baltics. They broke out on 14 June when Helsinki-86 organised a flower-laying ceremony at the Freedom Monument in Riga, commemorating the victims of the 14 June 1941 deportations. The next effort took place on 23 August, the anniversary of the signing of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/19.08.2025-what-happened-in-latvia-between-august-18-and-21-1991.a610880/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 19 Aug 2025 06:09:00 GMT 610880 On the night of August 18, 1991, a coup or putsch was attempted in Moscow. This event thirty-four years ago threatened to return the Baltic States to the dark times of the occupation by the Soviet Union. What happened in Latvia at that time? https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/15.07.2025-how-two-sailors-made-a-daring-escape-to-gotland-from-occupied-latvia.a606845/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 15 Jul 2025 09:56:00 GMT 606845 On the night of September 13-14, 1965, two daring Latvian sailors realized their plan – they set off on a hijacked fishing trawler to the Swedish island of Gotland. Who were these adventurers, and how did their daring trip to Sweden happen? https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/02.07.2025-mapped-how-europe-is-adapting-to-climate-change.a605332/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 02 Jul 2025 16:51:00 GMT 605332 From ancient aqueducts repurposed for modern use to ultra-absorbent “sponge cities”, European communities are testing unconventional solutions to cope with accelerating climate threats. This is A European Perspective* on adaptation in motion. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/02.07.2025-uk-ambassador-to-latvia-the-importance-of-bilateral-relations-will-only-grow.a605331/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 02 Jul 2025 14:10:38 GMT 605331 “The relationship between the United Kingdom and Latvia can be summed up in one word – friendship,” says UK Ambassador to Latvia Paul Brummell in his farewell interview with Latvian Television. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/27.06.2025-transgender-and-nonbinary-latvians-face-a-struggle-for-recognition.a603650/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 27 Jun 2025 10:00:00 GMT 603650 Up three sets of winding stairs and through a maze of chilly hallways, a lofty studio in the Latvian city of Rēzekne houses dozens of drawings and paintings. Eren, a 25-year-old art student originally from a small village in Russia, nervously collects his colored-pencil sketches. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/17.06.2025-lidijas-little-flowers-a-manifestation-of-humanity.a602678/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 17 Jun 2025 13:55:00 GMT 602678 Lidija Doroņina-Lasmane’s life story is a striking and vivid testimony to the Communist terror that broke and ruined thousands of lives under the Soviet regime. Shortly ahead of her 100th birthday a new book with the remarkable memories of the Latvian dissident has been published in English – it is a must read for anyone interested in Latvia's history. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/04.06.2025-defense-tech-for-ukraine-brings-straight-talking-on-drone-warfare-to-riga.a601309/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 04 Jun 2025 08:04:00 GMT 601309 The Drone Summit held in Rīga last week was notable for several reasons. Most obviously, it was the first of its kind, and came with the acknowledgement that drones have fundamentally changed many (though by no means all) aspects of modern warfare. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/28.05.2025-latvians-in-space-how-startups-can-seize-their-share-of-a-trillion-dollar-market.a600924/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 28 May 2025 13:54:06 GMT 600924 The global space economy is rapidly expanding, nearing a trillion-dollar valuation and opening a universe of opportunities. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/10.05.2025-and-the-peat-goes-on-in-latvia.a598473/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sat, 10 May 2025 12:43:00 GMT 598473 Nowadays few things feel truly unique. But Edgars Ameriks has managed to carve out a special place for himself in the world of art and fine craftsmanship. The Latvian peat artist has pioneered the innovative use of the natural resource for art and design in his home country and beyond. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/10.05.2025-the-lesser-known-twists-of-wwii-the-battalions-of-latvias-ethnic-russians-in-the-third-reich.a598448/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sat, 10 May 2025 06:23:00 GMT 598448 During the Second World War, Nazi Germany violated the 1907 Hague Convention on the laws and customs of war, which bans belligerents from drafting the populations of the occupied lands into their armies, thus, approximately 110,000 residents of Latvia were enlisted – for the most part forcibly - in various units of the German Armed Forces. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/26.04.2025-as-latvia-defends-natos-eastern-border-ukraine-peace-talks-test-strength-of-the-alliance.a596713/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sat, 26 Apr 2025 07:13:00 GMT 596713 Carrying NATO and Swedish flags, 550 Swedish soldiers marched out of a ship at Riga Port in January, followed by combat vehicles with grenade launchers and armoured troop carriers. The troops joined the NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia, swelling its ranks to 3,000. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/12.04.2025-a-fresh-appetite-for-the-german-language-in-latvia.a594997/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sat, 12 Apr 2025 07:41:00 GMT 594997 Sprechen Sie Deutsch? If not, then you can now learn it or practice your der, die und das throughout April during the German Language Month in Latvia. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/05.04.2025-interview-lufthansas-plans-as-airbaltics-strategic-investor.a594278/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sat, 05 Apr 2025 09:40:00 GMT 594278 At the beginning of this year, the veil of secrecy finally lifted regarding who is hiding behind the mysterious label "airBaltic's strategic investor". Unsurprisingly, it turned out to be the German national airline Lufthansa, which will acquire 10% of the company's shares. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/29.03.2025-refugee-couple-in-latvia-fled-their-home-in-ukraine-but-never-left-it-behind.a593198/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sat, 29 Mar 2025 08:10:00 GMT 593198 Valeriy Stavskiy, Daiga Stavska and their two grandchildren rushed to the basement of their home in Zhytomyr, Ukraine eight times in one night in March 2022, fearing for their lives. Russian troops were bombing and shelling their city. They knew they had to leave Ukraine and fled to Rēzekne, Latvia, Stavska’s hometown. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/24.02.2025-ukrainian-refugees-in-europe-three-years-on-and-a-life-in-limbo.a589043/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 24 Feb 2025 14:09:33 GMT 589043 Three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, millions of Ukrainian refugees across Europe find themselves living in a state of uncertainty. As international support wanes and living costs rise, many are facing mounting challenges—from bureaucratic hurdles to dwindling social benefits—forcing some to make an impossible choice: stay and struggle in foreign lands or return to a homeland occupied by Russia. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/11.02.2025-interview-why-did-norse-atlantic-airways-pick-riga.a587305/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 11 Feb 2025 10:45:00 GMT 587305 Norway-based airline Norse Atlantic Airways, which operates only long-haul routes, has announced the opening of a business center in Rīga, which will not only provide additional jobs in Latvia but will also be part of the flight operations center.