Riga State German Gymnasium celebrates 105th anniversary

Riga State German Gymnasium is celebrating its 105th anniversary, LSM reported. The school is among those marking the milestone this year because 1921 was a turning point for the education system of the newly established Latvian state.

The school has maintained traditions including its anthem and a floral clock created by every class on the morning of its anniversary. It also takes pride in its German-language programmes, with some former students now working there as teachers.

“Knowing languages and wanting to learn about different cultures also helped me when I played football. Having lived in five countries, the ease with which I learned languages helped me settle in considerably,” said Kaspars Gorkšs, a former student and former footballer.

School director Gundega Muceniece said the school had created both friendships and, in her case, love. Her two daughters and son-in-law also graduated from the school.

Meeting former students is another tradition. “My school years were definitely among the most beautiful, pleasant, active and crazy. University was not bad either, but friends for life come from school,” said former student Juris Šteinbergs.

The school also traditionally takes a group photograph from its roof. On its anniversary, all 650 students and 60 teachers gathered for the picture.

Children previously began studying at the school in the first grade. Admission now starts in the seventh grade through a competition, and German is the school’s main language focus.

“German opens more doors. It is an absolutely essential language in Europe. Employers look for our graduates, even those who speak it only at conversational level,” said Gunda Eglīte, a teacher at the school.

The gymnasium says its main vision is for students to know their goal by the time they graduate.