Diaspora youths explore Latvian traditions in Latgale

Thirteen Latvian youths from the United States and Canada are taking a 10-day educational trip around Latvia to learn about the country, improve their language skills and meet peers living there, LSM reported.

One of the stops on the trip is Andrupene, where the group began exploring the Latgale region at a rural homestead through local traditions and shared activities.

The “Hello, Latvia!” project is organised by the American Latvian Association. Project coordinator in Latvia Anita Ozola said the programme gives young people the opportunity to see how life in Latvia has developed and to build friendships with Latvian youths.

Many of the participants have so far learned about Latvia through their families and Latvian schools held on Saturdays in the United States and Canada.

Peter Skujiņš, who was born and raised in the United States, said the Latvian language had always been present in his life. His father was also born in the United States, while his grandparents were born in Latvia in the 1940s before moving to Germany and later to the United States.

“I think all the Latvian traditions that I have seen here are very interesting,” he said.

Although the youths grew up far from Latvia, many of its traditions are familiar to them. They sang along to songs they knew and joined local people in dancing and games.

Maksims Ezers, a participant from Canada, said the trip offered a chance to spend time with friends in another country and gain new cultural experiences. He said he dances in the Daugaviņa folk dance group in Toronto, where participants take part in various events and maintain ties with their community.

The participants’ Latvian language skills vary, from fluent conversational ability to knowledge of several everyday phrases.