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Yes I do live on a very nice place on earth. We are rich in Nature scientists and famous selectioners who have grown up new sorts of apple-trees, strawberries, tulips and others.Latvia is a small country with app. 2 300 000 inhabitants in North Eastern Europe. Only 10 years ago it gets rid of Soviet occupation which has enormously damaged Latvian nation, economy and culture.
Latvia has no rich natural resources as oil, iron, diamonds etc. So almost only its resource to restore the country is well-educated people. With such a small population each talent is of great importance. Each person in his/her own life time has to plant and grow at least 111 oaks or other great trees. When it is accomplished it is advisable to welcome others to do the same and carry on the sterted work oneself.

A country of untouched forests and picturesque rivers, inspiring sunrises and meditative evenings, hundred - year old oaks and the ever changing sea. At a long last the Latvian people had been able to recover the sovereignty, to recover their national symbols, the flag you see here and insignia of the state. We have recovered our place in the United Nations having formerly been founding members of the League of Nations. We have recovered our place on the international scene and we have become, after immense striving, a lot of sacrifice and effort from people, we have become members of the European Union and of the NATO Alliance. And we have been so for the past year. These are things then that we can celebrate.

For the participant from abroad, I would like to wish you a pleasant travel to our beautiful and peaceful LATVIA. I would like to encourage you to visit our country with amazing cultural ambience (We have
around 400 castles and manors!), meeting peoples (Many speak English) and appreciate our unspoiled environment and ecological foods. You can get information on the following web sites devoted to tourism:
http://www.celotajs.lv/index.jsp?lang=en

http://www.tournet.lv/page.php?id=2594

www.li.lv/en/

http://www.eventguide.lv

Whenever you have a question about Latvia don't hesitate to ask.
As far as I can I will help you.
Vaira

Vike-Freiberga, 69, and her tiny country of Latvia made an international splash

The President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga met the US President George W. Bush in Riga Castle. During the meeting the President of Latvia stressed the importance of the USA and their President in the creation of the transatlantic relations as well as highly appreciated the role of the USA in non-recognition of the incorporation of Latvia in the USSR as well as providing big support in the process of the state democratization and reforms after the restoration of the independence of Latvia and also at the moment being a trustful partner within the NATO Alliance. George W. Bush congratulated Latvia on hosting the NATO Summit and stressed its historic importance in NATO transformation and development.



During the meeting the parties dealt with a wide range of issues in relation to the NATO agenda, including the current developments of the Alliance – the future of the peace keeping missions in Afghanistan, prospects of the enlargement of the Alliance and energy security.



Concerning the bilateral relations the President of Latvia appreciated the fact that after the previous visit of George W. Bush to Riga in May, 2005 the volume of trade between the countries has increased by 30%. The US President confirmed that he understands the position of the President of Latvia regarding the visa-waiver regime with Latvia and was preparing to submit the bill to the US Congress that would revise the existing criteria for visa reliefs between the USA and Latvia.

Since winning the First Prize in the Queen Elisabeth Competition 2001, she has appeared with leading international orchestras and conductors such as Herbert Blomstedt, Charles Dutoit, Hans Graf, Philippe Herreweghe, Neeme and Paavo Järvi, Lorin Maazel, and Osmo Vänskä.

Baiba Skride is a frequent guest at international festivals, including Salzburg Festival, Kissingen Musiksommer, Divonne, Kuhmo, Lanaudiere Festivals and Delft and Jerusalem Chamber Music Festival. She has a regular recital partner in her sister, Lauma Skride, and they already have an excellent reputation as a duo. Other chamber music partners include Renaud Capuçon, Sol Gabetta, David Geringas, Isabelle van Keulen, Gidon Kremer and Emmanuel Pahud.

In the autumn of 2004, her two debut discs were released for Sony Classical: a classical concerti (Mozart, Schubert and Michael Haydn) and a solo violin disc (Ysaye, Bartok and Bach), the latter of which won the German Echo Classic Award 2005.

Baiba Skride plays the Stradivarius "Wilhelmj" violin (1725), which is generously on loan to her from the Nippon Music Foundation.

is a union of young and talented Latvian professional musicians who have combined their voices to form an all-male a cappella group covering the whole human vocal range from bass to soprano and performing all styles of music from polyphonic chants of the Renaissance to the pop and jazz music of our time.

With their two brilliant counter-tenors, vibrant ensemble performances and inspirational singing style, Cosmos has grown to be Latvia’s most popular and successful group. Their first album, a golden selection of their own arrangements from the history of Latvian popular music, was judged best Latvian pop album of 2003 and will soon claim “platinum” sales status. The group itself was nominated as best young artist of the year 2003. Besides enormous local success with the first album and sell-out concert tours, the group’s excellence has also been recognized internationally - Cosmos was the proud winner of the international competition for young singers of popular music “New Wave 2004” – a television production with an audience of 200 million people. In May 2005, Cosmos will release its second album with a selection of a cappella versions of world hits.

On the flipside of the dazzling, pop artist image Cosmos is recognized for its excellent interpretation of academic music ranging from medieval polyphony to the contemporary music of Latvian composers and beyond. In workshops with world leaders in their musical field (John Potter and David James from “The Hilliard Ensemble”, Anna Friman from “Trio Mediaeval”, acclaimed counter-tenor Andreas Scholl), the group’s members constantly polish their individual and collective skills and work on broadening their vocal horizons; this dedication has already led to the award of second prize at the challenging International Choral Music Competition in Gorizia (Italy) in 2004.

Cosmos takes part in various music events ranging from Christmas gala concerts at the Latvian National Opera to contemporary music festivals where they perform the most demanding music by composers like György Ligeti, Gavin Bryars, Pēteris Vasks and Benjamin Britten.

A young, ambitious and gifted group of musicians, Cosmos has been warmly recognized abroad in their important role of representing Latvia as a truly musical nation and they are always very pleased to introduce themselves to new audiences. Drawing on the profound West European musical traditions, Cosmos know how to put their academic music background to work as they explore the almost unlimited possibilities of the human voice – nature’s most incredible musical instrument.

trial uses 3DML to develop virtual representation of parts of the Latvian Ethnographic Open Air Museum. The project also provides Internet users with customised 3DML blocks and textures to create their own 3DML environments. you are about to enter the Virtual Latvian Open Air Museum, one of the largest and oldest (1924) of its kind in Europe.

On the MAP you will find more than a hundred objects of wooden architecture dating back to the 17th century. By clicking on the objects you will be provided with detailed information about them.

http://www.virmus.lv/en/about_virmus.htm

Building of a castle on the bank of the Daugava was commenced in 1330 when the citizens of Riga, defeated in a war with the Livonian Order (1297-1330), were forced to replace the destroyed castle of the Order with a new one – not in the city but close to it in the site of the former hospital of the Holy Ghost. The castle was destroyed in a similar armed conflict in 1484 but after defeat of the Rigans restored again. From the previous castle only the Tower of the Holy Ghost on the riverside was retained as a lighthouse for sailors, as well as a part of the fortification wall for city’s defence.



The 1491 Rules of Capitulation of the Rigans provided that the citizens have to restore the castle within six years but reconstruction lasted till 1515. At that time the Master of the Order due to continuous quarrels with the city had moved the seat to Viland and then to Cesis, however until the 1561 Livonian War the castle remained the home to the knights of the Livonian Order.



After disintegration of the Livonian Order and feudal states in the second half of the sixteenth century the Riga Castle served as a residence for Polish (1578-1621) and Swedish (1621-1710) regents and governors general, but from 1710-1917 it housed the Russian governor general and his administrative offices.



In 1938 the Riga Castle became the residence of the President of the Republic of Latvia. From 1940 to 1941 it was used by the Council of Latvian People Commissars, in February 1941 the Pioneer Castle occupied the northern part of the castle. At present the southern part of the castle houses the Museum of Foreign Art, the Rainis Museum of Literature and Art History and the Museum of History of Latvia. The President of Latvia returned to the Castle on 12 June 1995.

Sigulda, a town in the Vidzeme Region, is situated in the primeval Gauja valley. Reddish devon sandstone forms steep rocks and caves on both banks of the river. Because of this, since time immemorial Sigulda has been called the Switzerland of Vidzeme.

Turaida (derived from the Liv language Tora - 'God' and aida - 'garden' i.e. God's garden) was mentioned first in written sources at the end of the XII th century.

In 1214 Bishop Albert built a castle in Turaida, the big tower has been survived till nowadays, and it is not only the oldest building in Turaida, but a most popular place for tourists, as well. The tower offers a wonderful view to the Gauja river, Sigulda and Turaida.

Now Turaida Museum Reserve is one of the most popular places to visit in every season. You can visit the grave of Turaida Rose, a Latvian maiden who killed herself rather to say yes to the local baron, the former settling place of the Gauja's Livs with the Park of Folksongs, Turaida Church, etc.

The Âraisi lake fortress was built and inhabited in the 9th - 10th century AD by the largest ancient Latvian tribe, the Latgallians. The cultural layer represented five phases of construction, lying directly one over the other without any chronological break. Thanks to the anaerobic conditions, remains of wooden buildings were well preserved in the wet peat layer. At present Âraisi lake fortress is the first settlement of this type in north - eastern Europe to be extensively excavated and the richest such site in terms of artefactual remains

which marks the end of winter and beginning of spring, is personified by Metenis. His appearance is not revealed in the dainas, but he is known to have five sons and five daughters. Metenis’ arrival at the festival is characterized by his sledding over the hill. The celebration centres on Metenis’ feast. Food includes pork – especially pig’s feet, head, snout, ears – and breads, rolls, barley dishes, and beer. The festival activities include sledding, sleight riding, visiting distant relatives, and masquerading. In Metenis’ dainas, which describe these activities, the adjectives “long” and “far” predominate assuming analogical meaning in relation to next year’s crop of flax: the farther one travels to visit relatives and friends and the longer one stays in motion when sledding off a high hill, the taller the flax will grow next summer. The ceremonial dance performed by the farmer’s wife serves a similar purpose: it is meant to promote the breeding of livestock and the growth of flax.

The day following Meteni, Pelnu Diena (Ash Day), is the first day of a new week. It also marks the beginning of the New Year. The name Pelnu diena is derived from the fact that fire is kept smouldering in ashes when people move to establish new households on this day.