If someone knows what it means to be Latvian, it will be the director of the Latvian Institute, an organization whose purpose it is to inform about Latvian culture, identity, and society: Ojars Kalnins.
During a recent interview, Ojars Kalnins told me what's Latvian, and also told about a few things that are not. And he gave me some starting points what I might need to do in order to become Latvian. One thing I have to do for sure is to go pick mushrooms. Sure thing!
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2 comments:
Very good interview. Ojars Kalnins, in his articulate and intelligent way, demonstrates he understands the soul of a Latvian even though he was born and raised abroad. For those of us "Latvians" living outside Latvia it is reassuring to hear that being Latvian depends on yourself. If you feel you are a Latvian and love things Latvian, you're Latvian. - Inara Mantenieks, Ohio, USA
I loved the interview and i must agree with Anonymous:'For those of us "Latvians" living outside Latvia it is reassuring to hear that being Latvian depends on yourself.' I'm Estonian and i have been away now for few years.
It was heartwarming to watch this video and realize how close we (Estonians, Latvians) are in opinions about ourself and our country. Strange, living next to each other we don't really know much about each other..
Now i do a little, thank you! You have made discovering how to be Latvian in a easy enjoyable way and I will keep on following your blog post to find out more about Latvians
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