On December 13, the plan of events dedicated to the Centennial of the Republic of Latvia for the next five years was approved during the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers. New values and services to public will be created in the scope of Centennial, by including 800 initiatives in Latvia and 70 more in other countries worldwide where our fellow countrymen live in the national event plan. The plan still has room for excellent ideas, and they may be introduced by both applying for the funding of the State Culture Capital Fund and also by constantly presenting new events, commitments and ideas to our country for its Centennial.
Currently, 300 events of national importance and 100 projects supported by the State Cultural Capital Fund and the Latvian Environment Protection Fund have been approved, and more than 400 initiated events in all local governments of Latvia have been identified.
“Centennial Celebration is organised for each resident of Latvia, them to participate and inviting them to get involved in the celebration of this event and the preparation process. The Centennial will resonate in every municipality of Latvia and also far beyond the borders of Latvia. We would especially like to address children and youth, therefore we are delighted about the initiative “School Bag of Latvia. It is also very important to celebrate this event in all regions of Latvia and diasporas”, emphasised the Minister for Culture Dace Melbārde.
An initiative “’School Bag of Latvia” is planned as the largest present of the country in the Centennial. It is a totally new approach to education, increasing its quality, reducing social inequality, strengthening national identity and cultural awareness of the new generation. “School Bag of Latvia”’ will provide an opportunity for more than 200 thousand pupils to experience in person cultural and historical values, scientific and innovative achievements and beauty of nature of Latvia. The programme of the Centennial of the Republic of Latvia is created by accentuating the goals set by the founders of the country to protect Latvia, its unique culture and language, creativity and world view, strengthen ideas used as a foundation for the Latvian State – freedom and democracy.
The plan of events for the Centennial of the Republic of Latvia was created in cooperation among all ministries, local governments, State and local government cooperation partners, various institutions, non-governmental organisations and broader public. The celebration of the Centennial of the Republic of Latvia begins with such long-term activities as “School Bag of Latvia”, creation of the Latvian National Encyclopedia is taking place, cultural and scientific research is carried out, new creations and innovations are made, and films of Latvia created, improvement of the cultural environment and infrastructure, creation of new tourism routes and international programme for increasing visibility and competitiveness of Latvia, as well as other activities are planned.
Each person, organization and company of Latvia is encouraged to get involved in the preparation of the Centennial celebration - support or participate in any of the planned Centennial celebration events, create a present for Latvia, propose his/her own event for the Centennial, and starting the next year, add an event in the joint calendar of events of the Centennial of the republic of Latvia in the digital platform www.lv100.lv.
Opening of the Centennial celebration of the Republic of Latvia is planned in May 2017 during the campaign “Apskauj Latviju” along the border of Latvia, organised by the Ministry of Interior, by creating a symbolic moral watch over Latvia and planting oaks in the border regions supplemented by various rituals, thus strengthening Latvia prior to its hundredth anniversary. BY day - the White Tablecloth Celebration will take place in Latvia and among Latvians abroad on the 4th of May, while Latgale will extensively and diversely celebrate the Centennial of the Congress of Latgale - the will expressed by the residents of Latgale hundred years ago to join Vidzeme and Kurzeme on the way to independent Latvian State.
Currently, 199 Centennial celebration coordinators organising events on the entire territory of Latvia are already operating in Latvia by involving a wide range of population. Many local governments have already developed local plans for the Centennial celebration events but they are constantly being supplemented due to increasing activity by the educational establishments, businesses, civil society and others. Preparation and progress of the programme of events of the Centennial of Latvia is coordinated by the Latvia's Centennial Bureau of the Ministry of Culture. The events of the Centennial of Latvia will be carried out by all ministries and leading institutions in their fields, local governments of Latvia, non-governmental partners, while the process is coordinated by the Latvia's Centennial Bureau of the Ministry of Culture.
An affiliation symbol was created for the communication of the celebration of Centennial of Latvia and facilitation of recognisability. Guidelines for the use of the affiliation symbol are available for the state institutions, local governments, non-governmental organisations, event organisers and companies by contacting the Latvia's Centennial Bureau.
For more information please contact:
Linda Pastare
Latvian Centenary Bureau public relations specialist
67330339, 29374438
Linda.Pastare@km.gov.lv
www.lv100.lv