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OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2010
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ISSUE #5
This issue of our newsletter is dedicated to Latvia’s 92nd anniversary of the Proclamation of
Independence and the 20th anniversary of peaceful
“The Singing Revolution” when Latvia regained
independence.
PRESIDENT OBAMA CONGRATULATES PRIME
MINISTER VALDIS DOMBROVSKIS ON VICTORY
IN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION
On October 12, President Barack Obama called Prime Minister of Latvia Valdis Dombrovskis to
congratulate him on his victory in the
parliamentary election. President Obama thanked
the Prime Minister for his role helping the Latvian economy rebound, and for Latvia’s contributions to
the International Security Assistance Force
mission in Afghanistan and its role in the Northern
Distribution Network (NDN). Link to White House
readout.
LATVIA CELEBRATES AT LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
Congressman Dennis Kucinich, co-chair of the Baltic
Caucus at Latvia’s celebration, photo: P. Alunans
Amb. A. Pildegovics and Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, Chairwoman, Transatlantic Legislators’
Dialogue, at Latvia’s celebration, at the Library of Congress, photo: P.Alunans
On the evening of Thursday, November 18
Ambassador Andrejs Pildegovics and Col. Juris Bezzubovs (Defense, Military, Naval and Air
Attaché) hosted a piano concert at the historic and
architecturally unique Thomas Jefferson Building
of the Library of Congress. The celebration of
Latvia’s 92nd Anniversary of the Proclamation of
Independence and Armed Forces Day was attended by 500 invited guests, representing the
Washington diplomatic corps, the Administration,
Congress, the business and banking sector, NGOs,
and Latvians living in the United States.
Pianist Vestards Simkus, photo: Peteris Alunans
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“Sudrabavots” ensemble, photo: Peteris Alunans
After the singing of the national anthems, led by
Latvian folk ensemble “Sudrabavots,” Ambassador Pildegovics welcomed the guests, expressing the
Latvian government’s gratitude for the support of
the US government and the American people in keeping Latvia’s flame of freedom alive. “Not so long ago, when Latvia was a captive nation, the Library of Congress served as a prime depositary of Latvian political and historical heritage,” remarked the
Ambassador. He continued, “As you may know, a modern National Library building is under construction in our capital city of Riga, symbolizing the importance of our restored nationhood and the revival of our national spirit and values.” (Full text of Ambassador Pildegovics’ remarks. )
Congressman Dennis Kucinich (Dem-OH, co-chairman of the Baltic Caucus) also addressed the
audience, recounting the struggles of the Latvian
people in their fight for independence, and the
unwavering support of the Americans throughout
the decades. Congresswoman Shelley Berkley
(Dem-NV), Chairwoman of the Transatlantic Legislators’ Dialogue, also attended to express her
congratulations.
The brief remarks were followed by a piano
concert, performed by Latvia’s 26-year old piano
virtuoso Vestards Šimkus, winner of several
international piano competitions and an
extraordinarily talented Latvian musician, composer and interpreter. He performed pieces by
Beethoven, Chopin and Gershwin, as well as by
Latvian composers Janis Medins and Peteris Vasks. The final piece, Heartbeats of Astor Piazzolla, was the pianist’s own composition. At
the end of the performance, the audience gave the
young artist a standing ovation, expressing their awe and appreciation for his captivating
performance.
Following the concert, guests gathered in the Great
Hall, with a close-up view of the Capitol, for a post-
concert reception. Segments of the evening’s event
were aired in Latvia, on the Latvian television news program “Panorama.”
THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CELEBRATION
CONTINUES
Mrs. Natalia Kislyak and Amb. Sergey Kislyak (Russian Federation), pianist Vestards Simkus,
Amb. Andrejs Pildegovics and Mrs. Elena Pildegovica, photo P.Alunans
Amb. and Mrs. Pildegovica welcome Amb. Motsyk and Mrs. Natalia Terletska (Ukraine), photo: P.Alunans
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Col. Juris Bezzubovs greets Major Zezva Liparteliani, Georgia’s Defense Attache, photo: P.Alunans
Ambassador and Mrs. Pildegovica greet Mr. Craig Kennedy, President, German Marshall Fund and Mrs. Kennedy, photo: P.Alunans
Spouses of European Ambassadors: Mrs. Malgorzata Kopiecka (Poland), Mrs. Cecilie Joergensen Strommen (Norway), Mrs. Louise
Akerblom (Luxembourg), Mrs. Agnes Julia Aerts (Belgium) with Mrs. Elena Pildegovica, photo: P.Alunans
The National Day event was held in cooperation
with the Freeport of Riga, Baltic International Bank, Aizkraukles Bank of Latvia, the Latvian
Cultural Association “Tilts,” the Culture Capital
Foundation of Latvia, and Latvia’s Honorary
Consuls John Medveckis (Philadelphia) and Ahmet
Oren (Buffalo, NY).
SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY CLINTON
CONGRATULATES LATVIA
On November 16, the State Department released the following statement in honor of Latvia’s
National Day:
On behalf of President Obama and the people of
the United States, I congratulate the people of
Latvia on the anniversary of your independence
this November 18. The Latvian people have
cherished the ideals of freedom and independence since 1918, despite decades of war and occupation.
The United States joins in celebrating Latvia’s
flourishing democracy and the inspiration it
provides to countries around the world.
We are proud of our long history of unbroken
friendship with Latvia and our cooperation on
many of today’s pressing challenges. As allies in
NATO, we are joined by our commitment to defend
individual freedoms, democracy, and human rights around the world. Latvia has made invaluable
contributions to the international mission in
Afghanistan, and we honor the commitment and
sacrifice of the Latvian people as they help
Afghanistan secure its future.
I wish all Latvians a happy independence day. We
look forward to expanding the cooperation between
our countries as we strive to build a future defined by peace, prosperity, and freedom for all people.
Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of State
Washington, DC, November 16, 2010
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AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CROSS OF
RECOGNITION
Dr. Švechs and Amb. Pildegovics,
Photo: Peteris Alunans
On November 18 at the Embassy of Latvia
Ambassador Andrejs Pildegovics presented the
“Cross of Recognition” (“Atzinibas krusts”) to Dr.
Ilga Brigita Švechs of Cleveland. Dr. Švechs, a
clinical psychologist and professor emeritus, Case
Western Reserve University, has also been
instrumental in her support of the Latvian
Sculpture Garden in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cross of
Recognition is awarded by the Office of the
President to individuals who have demonstrated an
outstanding commitment to Latvia, and for
achievements in the spheres of education and
culture.
DIPLOMATS PARTICIPATE IN INDEPENDENCE
CELEBRATIONS IN CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE,
PHILADELPHIA AND WASHINGTON, DC
This year, Ambassador Andrejs Pildegovics was the keynote speaker at the Chicago Latvian
Community’s celebration on Noember 13. Ambassador Pildegovics also presented remarks at
the event honoring Latvia’s independence day in
Rockville, Maryland, held on November 20 and
organized by the Latvian Organizations of
Washington (LOV).
Amb. Pildegovics with Chicago Latvians, photo: Gunars Lucans
Milwaukee celebration, photo: Eriks Kakulis
On November 14 Deputy Chief of Mission Juris
Poikans addressed the Milwaukee Latvian
community. Also on November 14, John
Medveckis, Latvia’s Honorary Consul in
Pennsylvania, organized a concert and reception
for friends of Latvia in Philadelphia. Normans Penke, Latvia’s Ambassador to the UN, was the
main speaker at the event. In addressing the group
of 150 invited guests, including Philadelphia Mayor
Michael Nutter, Amb. Penke emphasized the
strength and endurance of the Latvian people in their fight for independence and in forming an
independent country. Following the remarks,
Latvian pianist Reinis Zarins performed.
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AMBASSADOR PILDEGOVICS MAKES “VIRTUAL
VISIT” TO INDIANA
On the afternoon of Wednesday, November 17 Ambassador Pildegovics addressed the Baltic and
Finnish Student Association of Indiana University-
Bloomington. The Ambassador participated in the
Independence Day celebration via Skype internet
conferencing, which allowed the Ambassador and
the Indiana students to have a face-to-face discussion.
PRESIDENT ZATLERS ADDRESS TO LATVIANS
ABROAD
This year President Valdis Zatlers recorded a video message to Latvians abroad for Latvia’s
Independence Day. Please click on the video
message to view (the video is in Latvian).
FORMER PRIME MINISTER V.BIRKAVS AT THE
EUROPEAN INSTITUTE
Valdis Birkavs, Joelle Attinger (President, European
Institute), Pamela Quanrud, (Deputy Assistant
Secretary of State), Amb. Andrejs Pildegovics
(Embassy of Latvia photo)
On November 16, former Prime Minister of Latvia
Valdis Birkavs as one of the two co-authors of the
NB8 Wise Man Report shared his views on the prospects of Nordic-Baltic Cooperation at a
roundtable organized jointly by the European
Institute and the Embassy of Latvia. During his
deliberations he was joined by Ms. Pamela
Quanrud, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State; Dr. Anders Ǻslund, senior fellow of the Peterson
Institute and author of “The Last Shall be the First:
The East European Financial Crisis; Joëlle Attinger, President of the European Institute, and
representatives of the US Government and
diplomatic corps.
AMBASSADOR VISITS ATLANTA AS PART OF
“EXPERIENCE AMERICA” PROGRAM
Ambassador Pildegovics with Atlanta Latvians
From October 12-14, 2010 Ambassador Andrejs
Pildegovics and Mrs. Pildegovica visited Atlanta,
Georgia under the auspices of the "Experience America" program organized by the Office of the
Chief of Protocol, U.S. Department of State.
During his visit to Atlanta, Ambassador Pildegovics
met with Atlanta Mayor Kamim Reed and Governor Sonny Perdue. The ambassadors also toured the
Carter Library and visited Morehouse College,
Georgia Tech, the Centers for Disease Control
(CDC), CNN and Coca-Cola.
Ambassador Pildegovics also had the opportunity
to meet with Latvians living in the Atlanta area.
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POLITICAL DIRECTORS FROM E-PINE COUNTRIES
MEET IN WASHINGTON
On November 4, political directors from e-PINE (Enhanced Partnership in Northern Europe)
countries met at the State Department in
Washington to exchange views on topical
international issues such as Iran, China,
Afghanistan, Russia and others. Latvia was
represented by its political director Andris Razāns.
This year the political directors’ encounter was joined by representatives of think-tanks of the nine
countries at an event hosted by the Embassy of
Lithuania.
In conjunction with the e-PINE meeting,
Ambassador Andrejs Pildegovics addressed a
workshop, held at the House of Sweden on
November 4. The Ambassador’s remarks are
available on the Embassy of Latvia website.
LATVIAN SAND SCULPTOR WINS FIRST PLACE IN
FLORIDA COMPETITION
Twenty master sand sculptors from across the
world competed in the 1st Annual Siesta Key
Crystal Classic in Florida, a competition of some of
the world’s best sand sculptors. The winning sand
sculpture "Circle of Life" was created by Sandis
Kondrats, of Latvia and his partner Sue McGrew,
of Tacoma, Washington. The “Circle of Life” took
more than 24 hours to complete. First prize was
$18,000.
Sandis Kondrats of Latvia and Sue McGrew, winners of Florida sand sculpture competition
500th ANNIVERSARY OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN
LATVIA
We are celebrating the 500th anniversary of the
first decorated Christmas tree in Latvia! Celebrate
the 500 year anniversary of the decorated
Christmas tree with a fresh, local tree, and win a
free trip to Riga, Latvia. Visit any Maryland
Christmas Tree Association (MCTA) member farm
and enter to win a 7 day trip to Riga, including air
fare, lodging and planned activities. The contest
runs from November 22-December 22.
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COMING IN DECEMBER…
Mark your calendars! On Friday, December 10 at
4:00 p.m. Ambassador Andrejs Pildegovics will
light a Christmas Tree in front of the Embassy, at
2306 Massachusetts Ave., NW (Sheridan Circle).
Light refreshments will be served. If you are
interested in attending, please send your RSVP to
rsvp.embassy.usa@mfa.gov.lv
* * * * *
The Embassy of Latvia welcomes comments about
this newsletter at embassy.usa@mfa.gov.lv
Embassy of Latvia website: www.latvia-usa.org
The Embassy of Latvia can also be found on Facebook.
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