Latvian Regional Days in Ireland – Latgale

The Latvian Business and Cultural  events which took place in Dublin and Claremorris over five days from Thursday 8th September to Monday 12th September was truly an international event with participants and performers hailing from Latvia, the U.K. Croatia, Myanmar, Moldova, Uzbekistan and the Irish Latvian diaspora. The visitors included His Excellency Dr Gints Apals Latvian Ambassador to Ireland. Juris Vilums a member of the Latvian Parliament Saeima from the Latgalian province in Eastern Latvia and Aiva Rozenberga the director of the Latvian Institute. Their principal aims were to connect with the Latvian diaspora  and to develop cultural, educational and business links between Latvia and Ireland. This involved connecting with Mayo County Council who were represented by Chairman Al McDonnell, Councillor Richard Finn and Claremorris Municipal Chairman Tom Connolly as well as Council development staff which included John McGee. Elaine Moyles Anna O’Connor and Celina McCormick.

The Latvian visiting party also included representatives from Daugavpils University and Kuldigas Institute of Tourism and Technology whose purpose was to develop academic links with Irish Third level universities and Colleges.

There were also no fewer than five Municipal areas of Latvia represented by their elected Chairpersons Andris Vaivods of Livani, Inara Silicka of  Karsava, Maruta Plivda of Preili, Sandra Viskure of Dagda and Peteris Rozinkis of Riebini. The hosts of a multi-layered sequence of events were The LatWest Association based in Claremorris under the guiding hand of Chairperson Skarleta Mukane who thanked the many groups and individuals who made this possible including Mayo County Council, The Latvian Embassy and Foreign Ministry, and especially Ilze Kreslina of the Irish Latvian Chamber of Commerce who was the chief organiser in Latvia and led a group of business people from Latvia in areas such as horticulture and dairy, wood processing and furniture manufacture, confectionery and chocolate production, renewable energy, aquaculture, alcohol production and a modern Ap to allow  emigrants support their parents in the homeland.

Fridays activities included municipal council meetings between the Latvian municipal authorities and Mayo County  Council which consisted of  business presentations and the signing of a memorandum of understanding between all parties to form the framework of continuation and commitment to further development of the projects initiated.

There was a tree planting ceremony in McMahon Park under the watchful eye of Seán Heneghan who took all the hard work out of the planting in atrocious conditions. The oak tree planted is a symbol of special significance in Latvia going back thousands of  years and symbolising steadfast friendship and longevity.

There were a series of business networking meetings on Friday afternoon between Irish and Latvian counterparts before a diaspora meeting with Olga Drege and Lidija Pupure two renowned Latvian actresses and Aiva Rozenberga the director of the Latvian Institute who had very important messages for the diaspora.

The night culminated in a merry celebration of Latvian song and dance in Warde`s now world famous hostelry.

Saturday 10th September commenced with a further exhibition of Latvian food, arts and crafts before an amazing colourful parade in Latvian traditional costumes as choirs and folk dancing groups  gave a taste of  of Latvian culture and dance on the square. There was a solemn wreath laying ceremony at the freedom monument on the square where Dr. Gints Apals laid a wreath to commemorate the freedom fighters of Ireland and Latvia.He spoke of their courage and commitment to the cause of our Republics with particular emphasis on the 1916 rising in Dublin and the 1918 declaration of Independence in Latvia. Mr. Tom Connolly represented Mayo County Council at the ceremony.

Balla Community Centre was the venue for the `Fáilte` Concert which featured talent from around the globe. “Karbunkulis” are a Dublin based Latvian folk dance group who performed highly energetic dance routines to the famous Latvian folk music under choreographer Solveiga Slaidina. “eLVe”  are a highly proficient choir who have performed all around Europe and their hugely creative musical director Inguna Gretina surprised and entertained us with humour and nostalgia. “Koklu Zapte” are a traditional instrument group who are now based in London and their unusual stringed instruments produced amazing harp like harmonies. Bernard Joyce of Lachtavarry, Ballyvary along with his Latvian born wife Zane and their two beautiful daughters  had us toe tapping to fabulous Irish airs and the little angel Silva  gave us a beautiful Latvian rendition as Mom accompanied on the Kokle. “Nemiers” whose highly creative choreographer Aiga Kunicka are a powerful Latvian folk dance group from Limerick, whose excellence was the subject of encores. The Mayo Intercultural Action group were represented by the Myanmar dance group and Moldovan group Elizabeth and Victoria Burkovskaya. “Dominante” the Mayo/Sligo based choral group contributed several numbers and Noel Lyons performed a translated version of a famous Latvian masterpiece called `Feed The Flame`.

The Latvian group visited several businesses and many local landmarks during their stay including  Hanleys School of Equitation Mayo Abbey Co-Op, Knock Shrine, Clew Bay Cruises, Achill Island, Kilbeggan Distillery.

The events were an outstanding success stated Skarleta Mukane as they transported many locally based immigrants home on an emotional roller coaster and informed many Irish people about our culture in all its richness. We hope and expect to launch many similar ventures here in the future as well as organising reciprocal ventures to Latvia to build and develop the links created to date.

By Noel Lyons