Festive, colourful and heartfelt celebrations to mark the 106th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Latvia by the Latvians in Luxembourg

As part of the Patriots' Month programme, on 16 October in Mertert, Luxembourg, the Ambassador of Latvia Aiga Liepiņa participated in the celebrations organised by the Latvians of Luxembourg to mark the 106th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Latvia.

The annual Latvian event attracted a large number of local Latvians, their families and friends, as well as compatriots from nearby Germany and Belgium. Addressing the participants, the Ambassador said that in the times we live in, it is truly important that the value of the common good of our nation increases - that the good of Latvia increases. She particularly highlighted the selfless voluntary work of Luxembourg Latvians both in maintaining the Latvian cultural environment and the contribution of the diaspora as a civil society to issues and processes of importance to our country. The Luxembourg-Latvia Association and its like-minded members are outstanding image-makers for our country, as the Ambassador saw once again when she visited the Latvian national stand at the International Bazaar that took place in Luxembourg from 15 to 17 November. Among the participants of the celebration was the Honorary Consul of Latvia in Luxembourg, Henri Diederich, who welcomed the Latvians with a solemn speech.

The concert programme included performances by the Luxembourg Latvian choir "Meluzīna", the children's folklore group "Mazās dzērves", the post-folk group "Rudzurika", students from the European School, the Latvian Saturday school "Hive" and the light and pop music group "Eslingen Orkestris". This year, the concert programme director Liene Barons chose a pervasive theme for the celebrations, focusing on the Latvian roots of the participants. Each visitor was invited to mark which Latvian region or city is their home country. Students from the European School read poetry about the feeling of home in Latvia. 

During the event, the Latvian Ambassador presented certificates of appreciation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Heinrihs Pucirius for many years of promoting Latvian cinema in Luxembourg and to Signija Aizpuriete for fostering a close and well-organised Latvian community in Luxembourg. Jūlija Norvele, former conductor of the Latvian choir in Luxembourg "Meluzīna", was presented with a certificate of recognition by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the day of de jure recognition of Latvia in Riga.

Aiga Liepiņa has been the Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia to the Kingdom of Belgium since November 2023 and non-resident Ambassador to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg since October this year. On 17 October 2024, she presented her credentials to Crown Prince Guillaume of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

The Luxembourg-Latvia Association, which aims to unite the Latvian community and promote dialogue with Luxembourg society, has been active in Luxembourg since 2008. The President of the Association is Ieva Freija-Pekati.

The Honorary Consul of Latvia in Luxembourg is Henri Diederich.