May 9, the Ice Hockey World Championship begins! ๐๐
๐ฅณ Just a few more days โ and on May 9, the Ice Hockey World Championship begins! ๐๐
For us Latvians, itโs more than just a game โ itโs our spirit, unity, and strength! ๐ชโค๏ธ Every spring, our hearts beat as one when our brave team steps onto the ice, showing the world that we are as great as our willpower is strong! ๐ฑ๐ป๐ฅ
๐ Hereโs Team Latviaโs game schedule โ mark your calendars, put on some red-white-red ๐๐ค๐, and letโs cheer for our heroes together! ๐ค๐ฅ
๐งฃ๐๐ฑ๐ป #LatviaOnIce #FingersCrossed #WeStandByOurTeam
๐ฑ๐ป May 4 โ Restoration of Independence Day in Latvia โจ๐
๐ฑ๐ป May 4 โ Restoration of Independence Day in Latvia โจ๐
Today, on May 4, we celebrate one of the most meaningful moments in Latviaโs history โ the Restoration of Independence Day! ๐ซ๐ฑ๐ป
๐ On May 4, 1990, the Supreme Council of the Latvian SSR voted 138 in favor to adopt the Declaration on the Restoration of Independence โ a bold and powerful step toward freedom! ๐๏ธโ๏ธ
๐ As the results were announced, the streets of Old Riga erupted with emotion โ thousands of people greeted the deputies as they emerged through the Saeima doors with hands raised high, met with tears of joy, songs, and applause! ๐ถ๐ญ๐
โค๏ธ๐คโค๏ธ It was a day when the heart of the nation beat as one, and the people said: โWe are free!โ ๐
๐ Now, in 2025, we mark the 35th anniversary โ with pride, gratitude, and hope for the future. ๐ฅณ๐
Today, the Latvian Parliament honors the brave members of the Supreme Council who said โYESโ to freedom, and the spirit of an entire nation. ๐ฟ๐ธ
๐ May this day remind us to stay united, to believe in whatโs right, and to carry Latvia in our hearts every day. ๐๐
๐ฑ๐ป Happy May 4 โ Latviaโs Freedom Day! ๐ฅ๐
Let us live for Latvia, love Latvia, be Latvia. โค๏ธ๐คโค๏ธ
"Latvia โ where hockey is more than just a game." โค๏ธ๐
๐ฑ๐ป๐ Very soon โ on May 9 โ the Ice Hockey World Championship will kick off in Sweden๐ธ๐ช and Denmark๐ฉ๐ฐ!
Before the tournament begins, letโs look back and celebrate Latviaโs historic victories ๐ฅ, including our unforgettable 3rd place finish in 2023! ๐
And letโs witness how the greatest fans in the world ๐ support our heroes on the ice! โค๏ธ๐คโค๏ธ
๐ฝ๏ธ Video 1:
๐ Latviaโs Historic Bronze Goal!
๐
Watch it here!
๐ฝ๏ธ Video 2:
๐ฅ
Thirty Goals to Victory!
๐ Watch it here!
๐ฝ๏ธ Video 3:
๐ Unforgettable Celebration at the Freedom Monument โ the Whole of Latvia United!
๐ Watch here!
๐ And another amazing view here!
๐ฝ๏ธ Video 4:
๐ 27 Years to Bronze โ The Realization of Latviaโs Hockey Dream!
๐ Watch here!
๐ With all our hearts, we stand together with our heroes!
Go, Latvia! โค๏ธ๐คโค๏ธ We believe in you and are ready for new victories! ๐๐ฅ
Easter in Latvia
Easter in Latvia: A Unique Blend of Christian and Ancient Latvian Traditions
Easter in Latvia, known as Lieldienas, is a unique fusion of Christian and ancient Latvian traditions, reflected in both religious rituals and folk customs. These celebrations symbolize the triumph of light over darkness, the renewal of life, and hope.
โ๏ธ Christian Significance
Easter is a Christian festival commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after His crucifixion. The observance begins with Holy Week, featuring Palm Sunday (Pลซpolu Svฤtdiena), Maundy Thursday (Zaฤผฤ Ceturtdiena), Good Friday (Lielฤ Piektdiena), and Holy Saturday (Klusฤ Sestdiena), culminating in Easter Sunday (Pirmฤs Lieldienas). Churches hold special services where the faithful remember Christ's sacrifice and celebrate His victory over death.
๐ฟ Ancient Latvian Customs
Before the advent of Christianity, ancient Latvians celebrated the spring equinox, a time when day and night are equal, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness. This period marked the awakening of nature and the return of fertility. Traditional activities include:.
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Egg Dyeing: Using natural materials like onion skins, grass strands, flowers, and yarn, eggs are dyed in various colors and patterns. Each egg is then wrapped in cloth or newspaper, secured with yarn, and boiled. The result is uniquely decorated eggs, often polished with butter to enhance their shine.
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Swinging: Swinging on high swings is believed to protect against mosquitoes and promote health. This tradition is accompanied by singing and is a cherished part of the Easter celebrations.
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Pussy Willow Beating: On Palm Sunday, people symbolically beat each other with pussy willow branches (pลซpoli), wishing health and strength.
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Egg Rolling and Fights: Eggs are rolled down slopes or tapped against each other in friendly competitions, symbolizing the sun's path and the cycle of life.
๐๏ธ A Fusion of Faith and Tradition
In Latvia, Easter is a time when Christian and ancient Latvian traditions merge into a unified celebration. Church bells and services intertwine with folk songs, swinging, and egg dyeing. This rich tapestry of customs makes Easter a special and significant time in Latvian culture.
''Flow/Straume'' ๐ Golden Globe Award
๐The film ''Flow/Straume'' (2024), directed by Gints Zilbalodis, is a remarkable success story in Latvian cinematography. This animated adventure has garnered international acclaim,๐ winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and the๐ Golden Globe Award in the same category. Notably, it was also nominated for ๐Best International Feature Film, marking significant milestones for Latvian cinema on the๐ global stage.
The film's success has brought pride to Latvia, with over 320,000 viewers in Latvian theaters and the ๐Golden Globe award displayed at the Latvian ๐National Museum of Art.
Flow's achievement is a testament to the power of storytelling and animation, showcasing the talent and creativity emerging from Latvia๐ฅ๐ช๐
Downhill on Ice Tracks: "Bobsled, Skeleton, Luge''
๐ There are three things in the world you can watch forever โ water flowing, fire burning, and Mฤrtiลลก Bots and Roberts Plลซme racing down the track toward victory! ๐ฅ๐ท
๐ช With a speed of 130.32 km/h in the first run and 130.55 km/h in the second, the Latvian luge duo Bots/Plลซme literally flew across the ice, securing silver medals and becoming World Vice-Champions! ๐ฅ๐ฑ๐ป
๐53rd FIL World Championships โ Whistler (CAN)
๐ On Friday 06.02.2025, in Canada, Latvian athletes Mฤrtiลลก Bots and Roberts Plลซme claimed silver๐ฅ medals at the Luge World Championships.
๐ท After the first run, Bots/Plลซme were in fourth place, but with the second-fastest time in the second run, they climbed to second overall. With a total time of 1 minute and 16.640 seconds across both runs, the Latvian duo finished just 0.102 seconds behind the German winners, Hannes Orlamรผnder and Paul Gubitz.๐ท
โจDown the most picturesque ice track in the Swiss mountains & discover how/why the curves got such beautiful 'Names'"โจ
๐๐ https://www.ibsf.org/en/
๐๐https://www.fil-luge.org/en/home
๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ Latvian athletes proudly represent their country in the world of sliding sports, including bobsleigh, skeleton, and luge, racing down winding ice tracks worldwide at speeds reaching 130 km/h. These sports have a rich history in Latvia, with luge developing over more than 50 years, and bobsleigh and skeleton gaining prominence since the 1980s. Latvian athletes have achieved significant success, earning medals in World and European Championships, as well as the Olympic Games.๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ
History has been made for ice hockey Team Latvia!
With 4:3 overtime win vs Germany, TEAM LATVIA ๐ฑ๐ป advances to IIHF World Junior Championship quarterfinals! The first time Latvia has won 2 games in the preliminary round.
GO LATVIA GO! LEPOJAMIES un APSVEICAM!Tฤ TURPINฤT! โค๏ธ๐ฑ๐ปโค๏ธ
We are proud of You! ๐ฑ๐ปโค๏ธ
Latvia beats Canada for the first time ever at the World Juniors
Heroes' week November 11 to 18
Through millennia
By the Amber Sea
Lives a resilient Nation,
Where every Latvian
Holds a quatrain collected by the Father of Dainas/Folk songs/ Kriลกjฤnis Barons;
And when the Nation unites in a beautiful Song:))
During the festive week, with the Red-White-Red Flag in our hearts,
We can honor the Heroes of November 11th /Lฤฤplฤsis Day/,
And on November 18th
/Proclamation Day of the Republic of Latvia/
Sing our Prayer,
Which has become the National Anthemโ
God Bless Latvia!
Before Latvia joined the European Union&NATO in 2004