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All posts from Latvia

Baltic neighbours

Liepaja, LV (View on map)
Posted 26 Aug 2007:

During the previous days, I have been told how Lithuania and Latvia are very similar, while the third Baltic state Estonia is not. While crossing the Lithuanian-Latvian border in northerly direction, I am trying to find out how the southern Baltics compare to each other.... Read more

Latvia in the EU

Liepaja, LV (View on map)
Posted 28 Aug 2007:

The year 2004 marked a new start for Latvia. It first became member of the NATO, then joined the EU on May 1st. At the time of joining, it was the EU`s poorest country, but it has shown the highest growth figures ever since. A large share of that may be considered a result, direct or indirect, of the EU membership. Today, I am trying to find out how the EU membership has affected people`s lives and whether they are happy to be in the EU.... Read more

Studying in Latvia

Ventspils, LV (View on map)
Posted 28 Aug 2007:

I am in Ventspils today, one of Latvia`s seven university cities. Anda (22) and Sandra (23, both in photo) are MBA students at Ventspils University: I have found myself two experts in Latvian student life.... Read more

What the papers say

Kuldiga, LV (View on map)
Posted 29 Aug 2007:

I still have some interesting topics to cover in Latvia, but this morning I will let the newspaper decide what the subject is going to be. Before taking the bus from Ventspils to Kuldiga, I choose one out of many Latvian and Russian newspapers. It's Diena (The Day), and I later find out that it is one of the two most popular countrywide newspapers in Latvia. One problem: I can`t read a word of it. Assistance required and I do manage to get some although it takes me a while to locate English-speaking people in the small town of Kuldiga.... Read more

Spare time activities

Riga, LV (View on map)
Posted 30 Aug 2007:

Life is not as simple everywhere as it is in Ireland. While the Irish are largely satisfied having a church, a pub and a sports pitch around, their Latvian counterparts have many different activities at hand. Here`s a short overview of what Latvians do when they are not working or studying.... Read more

About Alien Latvians

Daugavpils, LV (View on map)
Posted 31 Aug 2007:

When Latvia became independent from the Soviet Union in 1991, only ethnic Latvians were granted citizenship. Russians who lived in the area were only offered an `alien passport`. Today, I am travelling to the mainly Russian city of Daugavpils, in the east of Latvia, to find out about the relation between Latvians and Russians.... Read more

Women and Politics

Sigulda, LV (View on map)
Posted 2 Sept 2007:

Last week, I was surprised hear at least a few Lithuanian women tell me that they found themselves, and/or women in general, unqualified to get involved in politics or in higher management. I have not come across such conventional opinions in Latvia. One of this reasons may be that Latvia`s previous president was a woman. Vaira Vike-Freiberga, that`s her name, stepped down as recently as last summer, because her second and final term came to an end. However, she is still a very popular public figure and remains renowned for her political achievements. ... Read more

Environmental issues

Valmiera, LV (View on map)
Posted 3 Sep 2007:

Latvia`s economy has been growing rapidly over the last few years. In parallel to that, consumption has increased and people have started to produce an evergrowing amount of waste. Equipment that was once manufactured to last a lifetime is now replaced by newer gadgets on a regular basis. Multi purpose vehicles (MPVs) are a common sight on Latvia`s roads, which were once only populated by small and cramped Ladas, for those who could afford one. Like in many other modern countries, the environment suffers. How does that match with the Latvians` love for nature?... Read more

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