Helsinki Latvians mark Lāčplēsis Day with dance and defence talks

Latvians living in Helsinki marked Lāčplēsis Day with music, dancing and discussions about Latvia’s defence, LSM reported.

The day commemorates those who fought for Latvia’s independence. At the gathering, community members also met Latvia’s defence attaché to the Nordic countries, Colonel Jolanta Armaloviča-Rauza, whose work covers Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark.

Armaloviča-Rauza said it was important to clearly explain how people in the diaspora could support Latvia and its armed forces, and to maintain cooperation and links with the country.

Paul Balodis, a dancer with the Aurora folk dance group, said his family used to visit the waterfront in Latvia to light candles for the country’s fallen defenders. Because his children have school and the family cannot travel back, they attended the Helsinki event instead.

The programme included a creative workshop for children and performances by pupils from the Pikku Putni Latvian school and the Radio Skonto youth ensemble. Participant Sintija Paegle said she enjoyed spending time with other Latvians, especially while living in Finland.

The gathering also marked Aurora’s 10th anniversary. The group has twice performed at Latvia’s Song and Dance Festival. Balodis said dancing with the group, together with his Lithuanian wife, helped them stay connected to Latvia.

Participants also celebrated the autumn harvest with chanterelle soup, apple cakes and other food. Guests who do not usually dance folk dances had a chance to try the steps.