The 106th Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic of Latvia celebrated at various events across Canada

The 106^th Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic of Latvia was celebrated across Canada from 6 to 18 November, 2024.

In Ottawa, the Embassy of Latvia in Canada organised several events at City Hall Art Gallery, showcasing the tapestry works by Latvian artist Egils Rozenbergs, whose exhibition “Signs of the Time” was available to public audience from 29 August to 24 November, 2024.

By the invitation of Ambassador of Latvia Mr. Kaspars Ozoliņš, the celebratory events were attended by the representatives of the Parliament of Canada and the Senate of Canada, including the members of Canada – Latvia Parliamentary Friendship group, established in 2024, as well as representatives of Global Affairs Canada, Department of National Defence, Canadian Armed Forces, diplomatic corps, various think tanks and the Latvian community in Ottawa.

On 18 November, the Independence Day of Latvia, the Embassy hosted the Latvian flag raising ceremony at Ottawa City Hall. The Latvian flag was raised by Ambassador Kaspars Ozoliņš in the presence of His Worship Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of Ottawa, and Senator and Co-Chair of Canada – Latvia Parliamentary Friendship group Rebecca Patterson, as well as the Latvian community.

Several events in honour of the proclamation of the Republic of Latvia were organised by Latvian communities across Canada – in Toronto, Hamilton, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, Edmonton. On 16 November, Ambassador of Latvia Mr. Kaspars Ozoliņš and his spouse Ina Ozoliņa attended the festive events at the Latvian school in Toronto and participated in the celebrations at the Latvian Canadian Cultural Centre. The guests had the opportunity to enjoy a mesmerizing Latvian song and dance performance performed by Toronto Latvian choir and dance groups “Daugaviņa” and “Daugaviņas Meistari”. 

In Ottawa, the concert and prayer for Latvia brought together community for an event with performances by Ottawa Latvian school, Ottawa and Montreal choir “Atbalss”, and dance group “Otavas Rotaļa”.

 As a tradition, on the evening of 18 November, the Niagara Falls were illuminated in the colours of the Latvian flag.