​​A delegation from Latvia took part in Days of Latvian Culture in Krasnoyarsk

The delegation included 63 pupils of the Riga Secondary School №45 as well as their teachers. The head of the delegation, Talis Veysmanis, was born in Abansky District (Krasnoyarsk Krai). The visit was organized within the framework of the international intermunicipal cooperation and held during the  Days of Latvian Culture in Krasnoyarsk and Krasnoyarsk Krai. The delegation includes vocal ensembles of pupils and teachers, a choir, two dance ensembles of Latvian folk dances "Chekurs" ("Con​​e"). They visited Siberian cities (Krasnoyarsk and Kansk) and villages (villages in Abansky District, Ozerny and Pochet). One of the main purposes of their visit is to acquaint Siberian people with Latvian culture and open a memorial stone dedicated to the memory of children who died during the deportations in 1941 and 1949. The visit was held thanks to the personal support of Mayor of Riga Nils Ušakovs.

A joint concert of Krasnoyarsk and Riga collectives took place in City Palace of Culture «Kirovskiy» on April, 28.  Local Latvian National and Cultural society «Dzintars» and Creative Center № 3 also took part in a joint concert.

A cultural and excursion program around Krasnoyarsk was organized for the guests from Riga on April, 29 - 30. Foreign delegation visited the Krasnoyarsk Regional Museum and participated in the International Dance Day. A city tour and a educational - ecological walk around the Natural reserve Stolby were also organized for the members of the foreign delegation. Experts from the Krasnoyarsk Tourists and Sports Center were guides during the cultural program. They told the guests about the history of the founding of the city, showed  main  sights of the city and  important places of the historical center. During the tour a special accent was made on the upcoming Universiade-2019.  At the Natural reserve Stolby foreign guests visited the rock complex of the Takmak range, walked along the Mokhovaya stream and went along the Kashtakovskaya trail to the observation zone located on the top of the Funpark Bobrovy Log. Guests from Riga enjoyed the beauty and the majesty of the unique natural reserve.

«Krasnoyarsk has left the most pleasant impressions for all our team. Your city is cozy, dynamic and hospitable, with its history, character and colors. The unique natural environment of Krasnoyarsk and sincere people are amazing. I am sure, that many of us will want to come here again, perhaps, as fans of the Universiade-2019», said the director of the Riga Secondary School №45 and the head of the delegation Talis Veysmanis.  

For the reference:

There were two major deportations from the territory of the Republic of Latvia: in 1941 (15,500 people) and 1949 (42,133 people). A significant part of the first exiles were sent to the Krasnoyarsk Territory. As for the ethnicity of the exiles they were predominantly Latvians and Latgalians (south-eastern part of Latvia). They were sent to Nizhneingashsky and Abanskiy districts. Many deportees from the western part of Latvia found themselves in the area north of Achinsk.

Since 1991 is working the regional public organization "Krasnoyarsk Latvian National Cultural Society" Dzintars "("Amber"). Its aim of the organization is to preserve the history, language and culture of the Latvian people, to educate the youth in the spirit of national traditions, to introduce the inhabitants of the Krasnoyarsk Territory to the culture and art of Latvia. Also the most important goal of the society's work is the connection of Siberian Latvians with their historical homeland.

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