Estonian Embassy in Riga :: News & Events

Estonian stage director in Latvian National Theatre

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 12:31:22 GMT

Next season, the main theatre and stage director of Linnateater Elmo Nüganen will bring the dramatisation of the famous work of Anton Hansen Tammsaare „Life and love“ to the Latvian National Theatre, in which many actors of the Latvian National Theatre will participate.

This year the Estonian-Latvian translator’s award has been given to Kalev Kalkun

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:03:52 GMT

The Estonian-Latvian translators award this year goes to Kalev Kalkun for translating the novel of Nora Ikstena "Jaunavas mācība" (The teaching of a virgin) into Estonian. Unfortunately K. Kalkun couldn't personally participate in the ceremony therefore his good friend Anna Žīgure received the award in his name.

The translator’s award was handed over by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and Estonia E. Rinkevičs and U. Paet.

The 2010 award was given to Maima Grīnberga and the year 2011 to Guntars Godiņš

Competition for Estonian-Latvian and Latvian-Estonian Translation Prize Begins

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 09:42:10 GMT

For the third time the Latvian and Estonian Ministries of Foreign Affairs have announced that the competition for recognising the best Latvian and Estonian-language translators is now open. The winner of the competition will be announced in February 2012.

Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that a Latvian translator has won the prize the two previous years. “We hope that this year we can award an Estonian translator for his or her work translating Latvian literature into Estonian,” said Paet.

The Estonian-Latvian and Latvian-Estonian translation prize emphasises the importance of the Estonian and Latvian languages as well as cultural exchange in order to advance the professionalism of translators of literature as well as political, popular science, historical, sociological, memoirs and other texts.

The monetary value of the award is 3 000 euros, to which both sides are contributing equally. The jury will contain representatives from the foreign ministries of the two countries and the director of each nation’s literature information centre.

The agreement that established the Estonian-Latvian and Latvian-Estonian translation award was signed by Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet and Latvian Foreign Minister Māris Riekstiņš on 18 February 2009.

In previous years the prize has been awarded to Latvian translators Maima Grīnberga (2009) and Guntars Godinš (2010).

Nominees for the translation competition along with the translator’s CV can be submitted through the application form found on the Foreign Ministry’s website. The deadline for nominations is 31 January 2012.

ESTONIAN BALSAM II in Riga

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 06:20:44 GMT

New theatre and dance from Estonia

The programme:

Von Krahl theatre. THE IDIOTS. Friday, December 16 at 19:00, RISEBA Architecture Department
united dancers of ZUGA. OLD BUDDIES. Saturday, December 17 at 19:00, Ģertrūde Street Theatre
Taavet Jansen and Peeter Rästas. FOR SAMUEL BECKETT. Sunday, December 18 at 19:00, Kaņepe Culture centre
Kristian Smeds & Von Krahl theatre. 12 KARAMAZOVS. Monday, December 19 at 18:00, Palladium

Performances in Estonian with translation into Latvian.

Tickets at Ticket Service www.bilesuserviss.lv, New Theatre Institute of Latvia and before the shows.
Pass for all four performances Ls 25; Ls 15 (reduced rate for students and pensioners) available only at the New Theatre Institute of Latvia.

Organised by New Theatre Institute of Latvia in collaboration with Kanuti Gildi SAAL, Von Krahl, Embassy of Finland in Latvia, Latvian and Estonian Cultural Endowment, Lux Express and Tallinnk Hotel Riga.

In memoriam of the participants of the Freedom fights

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:14:59 GMT

A day before the Day of Lāčplēsis, November 10th, Riga Warrior’s Cemetery celebrated its 75^th birthday. This solemn event was also attended by the Estonian Ambassador to Latvia Mati Vaarmann, lieutenant-general Johannes Kert and Scoutmaster Jüri Ehandi.

That day at the Warrior’s Cemetery, the memorial plaque – which was brought to Latvia from Estonia on July 19, 1928 by the Tartu Scoutmaster Valter Sirgo and Estonian Scouts Unit’s president Nikolai Kann together with 85 scouts, who came to celebrate Latvian Scouts’ 10th anniversary celebration - was unveiled. On July 26, 1928 scouts went to the Warrior’s Cemetery in tribute to the fallen ones – representatives of other countries laid flowers, but Mr. Kann announced that Estonia’s Scouts had brought a memorial plaque instead of flowers in memoriam of the fallen warriors. Initially the plaque was placed at the Museum of War, as the constructions for storing relics at the cemetery were not yet finished. It is not known why the plaque was not placed at the Warrior’s Cemetery, when they were finished, but in the 40’s the plaque was lost. It saw the light of the day again in 2009, when some building was demolished and it was delivered to the Embassy of Estonia.

On November 12 Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves unveiled a memorial plaque at St. George’s Church in Pärnu county’s Tori village for 50 Latvian citizens to whom the Republic of Estonia has granted the highest recognition –the Medal of Honor of the Liberty Cross – for cooperation in the freedom struggle.

„Both our countries, Estonia and Latvia, had to defend their right to self-determination on the battlefield; our nations right to freedom had to be proven to the whole world in the hardest way”, said the head of the state at the opening of the plaque. „We did it by creating free and democratic countries”. President Ilves stressed: „ In that fight we were brothers in arms, comrades in battle. Latvia’s Brigade in the composition of the Estonian National Army supported our fight for freedom and the armed forces of Estonia helped to liberate Latvia and protect Riga. Alone and without allies it would have been much more difficult, if not impossible”.

Paying tribute to everyone who fought for their homeland in Estonia and Latvia, president Ilves also mentioned the man, who fell first in the defense of Estonia – Latvian Johaan Muischneek, who was lost in February 1918, during the first hours of Independent Estonia.

*****

Additional information about the plaque: editions 157-166 of the newspaper Latvijas Kareivis (1928), edition of newspaper Latvijas Avīze 20.06.2009. We express gratitude to the translator Gundars Godiņš for the translation of the lieutenant -general speech, Latvia’s Chief Scout Andris Matisons for the photographs and Estonia’s Scouts organizations and Latvian State Historical Archives of the Latvian National Archives, especially to Dace Goze for obliging.

Nordic Baltic Designers Events in Riga 2011

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 06:13:08 GMT

During autumn 2011 Riga will become the meeting place for the Nordic and Baltic designers. For two months, starting from October, series of events in different fields of design will take place at the Riga Art Space.

No matter how invisibly integrated or transparent design is, it always tells a story: about people who had created it, those whom it was created for and the place and time of its existence. What message is to be told?

In the autumn of 2011, sixteen designers from Nordic and Baltic countries will be welcomed to Riga to share their views on current trends of responsible and sustainable design. The professionals will be seeking cross-national and multi-disciplinary collaborations, creative minds connecting with entrepreneurs, and design students encouraged to engage in critical design.

The main exhibition “Sixteen Steps Closer” will feature 16 different ideas developed by well-known architects, industrial, fashion and graphic designers from Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia especially for the Nordic Baltic Designers Events. These individual projects will be evolved around one common theme – the future of the Baltic Sea.

Other events featured in the programme are: opening of a travelling exhibition of the leading Finnish design brand Marimekko, Nordic Baltic computer gaming seminar, PechaKucha Night with speed-up presentations of cutting-edge design ideas, workshops and lectures by Nordic and Baltic designers, exhibitions and performances that manifest the idea of a sustainable design.

ORGANISERS

The Finnish Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers’
The Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Latvia
The Nordic and Baltic embassies in Riga
The Danish Culture Institute
Riga Art Space and SIA Rigas Nami

Curator: Kari Korkman, Helsinki Design Week

The Nordic Baltic Designers Events are part of the Design.Future 2011 festival organised by Design Information Centre (Latvia).

More information: Culture Adviser Ginta Tropa, Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Latvia, phone: +371 67820055, e-mail: ginta@norden.lv

Estonian artist Peeter Allik's exhibition "I saw that" in Gallery Bastejs

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 13:14:36 GMT

Gallery Bastejs kindly invites you to the opening of Estonian artist Peeter Allik solo exhibition „I saw that”on 2nd August, 2011 at 6 p.

About crossing border between Estonia and Russia

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 11:38:49 GMT

Starting on the 1st August 2011, taking a place in border crossing queue between Estonia and Russia via GoSwift online reservation system will be obligatory for all motor vehicles.

In the test version operating in July, a place in border crossings queue can be reserved for August and further.

GoSwift will be operating in all land border posts in the Republic of Estonia (Narva, Koidula, Luhamaa) towards Russia. The new system will help cross the border between Estonia and Russia comfortably and with no excess waiting.

For making reservation: https://www.estonianborder.eu/

The Center for Contemporary Art: conference and exhibition

Tue, 17 May 2011 11:29:32 GMT

The Center for Contemporary Art in Latvia is proud to announce that two major events dedicated to the Socialist Period Art History in Eastern Europe will take place in Riga in May, 2011.

Conference

Recuperating the Invisible Past. Perspectives and ways of dealing with the complexity of art history of 1960ies – 1980ies in Eastern Europe

Date: May 17 - 18
Venue: Goethe Institute in Riga, Torna street 1a

Exhibition

Parallel Chronologies. Invisible History of Exhibitions

Date: May 17 - June 19
Venue Riga City Art Space, Kungu street 3, Old Town

Socialist Period Art History in Eastern Europe

Exhibition of Estonian artist Tarmo Roosimolder

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 15:50:45 GMT

Estonian National Opera’s guest performances on January 18-23, 2011

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 12:40:24 GMT

The Latvian National Opera invites to the Estonian National Opera’s guest performances on January 18-23, 2011. It is a wonderful chance for you to extend the most beautiful time of the year and get emotional experience through magical sounds of music – ballet or opera.

Ballet "THE THREE MUSKETEERS" - January 18
Ballet "LA SYLPHIDE" - January 19
Opera "COSI FAN TUTTE" - January 21, 23
Opera "THE LOVE FOR THREE ORANGES" - January 22

Tickets may be purchased in cash, or with debit and credit cards. Tickets may also be purchased at www.opera.lv and www.bilesuparadize.lv .

More information you will find here: http://www.opera.lv/en/productions-concerts/performances-on-tour/

See you at the opera!

Estonian and Latvian Foreign Ministers: New Electricity Connections Increase Security

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 18:37:37 GMT

During his meeting in Tallinn today with new Latvian Foreign Minister Girts Valdis Kristovskis, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet emphasised that in order to ensure the energy security of Estonia and all of Europe there must be a functioning energy market and connections among the member states. “The plan to connect the Baltic energy market is a good example of a regional initiative to resolve these issues in the European Union,” said Paet. “We are interested in creating a truly functioning electricity market in the Baltic states,” he asserted.

Paet stated that it is necessary to build new Estonia-Finland, Sweden-Lithuania, and Poland-Lithuania electrical connections.

While talking about co-operation within the framework of European Union Eastern Partnership, Foreign Minister Paet noted that Latvia is welcome to contribute to the Eastern Partnership Training Centre being established in Tallinn, which will focus on training young government officials from Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Belarus and sharing reform experiences. “Focusing on programmes with visible results, like for example border management, the fight against corruption, or supporting small businesses, would give more purposeful support to the reform process in our partner nations,” he added.

On the topic of bilateral cultural relations, Paet noted that Estonia-Latvia cultural and educational contacts have been close throughout the years. “Estonia is interested in Estonian language and culture continuing to be taught in Riga. This opportunity is provided by the Riga Estonian Secondary School, which currently has 160 students,” stated Foreign Minister Paet. “In Valga the Estonian-Latvian Institute is still active—the Latvian language is also taught there,” he added. “We also hope that the Estonian-Latvian and Latvian-Estonian translation prize established last year gives momentum to Estonian and Latvian language and cultural exchange,” Paet added.

According to Foreign Minister Paet, Estonia-Latvia co-operation in visa representation and consular work is also going well. “Estonia represents Latvia for the issuing of Schengen visas in Sofia, Bulgaria, and Latvia issues visas for travel to Estonia in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan,” said Paet, describing bilateral co-operation in visa representation.

The foreign minister also discussed matters related to NATO’s Strategic Concept, the European External Action Service, and the Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region.

“Next year is important to Estonia in terms of Nordic-Baltic relations—in August we will celebrate 20 years since regaining independence,” stated Foreign Minister Paet.

SPOKESPERSON'S OFFICE
+372 637 7654

FINEST Comics exhibition

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 14:42:21 GMT

Comics exhibition FINEST will be opened in the Latvian National Library on Tuesday 16^th November. Comics artists from the three countries have made their own version of the theme „ Morning, Day, Evening, Night“. The interpretations of the theme differ both in their content and the method of making them.

The position of comics in the field of art and culture is quite different in each country participating in this project. Comics as a form of art and also as entertainment for people of all ages has a strong position in Finland. Popular newspaper comics have a strong following and a lot of comics albums are published every year. The popularity goes hand in hand with artistic quality. Many comics connoisseurs around the world consider Finnish comics to be of great quality and interest.

The Latvian and Estonian comics scene has developed rapidly in the past years. There has been two anthologies of Estonian comics published in 2007 and 2009, and in April 2010 the first Estonian comics biennale was organised in Tallinn. Riga is the proud home of Kuš! the only comics magazine in the Baltic states. These activities have helped to bring fascinating artists into publicity. Together the artists form a highly subjective caleidescope of life in the three countries – as well as in future or outer space!

FINEST exhibition is open to the public in the National Library of Latvia from 17th November until the end of 2010. Exhibition is produced by The Finnish Institute in Estonia. It has been curated by David Schilter (Latvia), Joonas Sildre (Estonia) and Kalle Hakkola (Finland).

More information:
Ieva Laizane (contact info here)
Jenni Kallionsivu (in English)
jenni.kallionsivu@finst.ee
+372 53023176

THE THIRD BEGINNING The Defence League 1990-1993

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 20:45:27 GMT

November 24, 2010 at 15.00 is the opening of the exhibition THE THIRD BEGINNING The Defence League 1990-1993 in the Latvian War Museum.

Additional information here.

Jüri Arrak: exhibition of graphic art

Tue, 23 Nov 2010 20:43:00 GMT

Estonian Ambassador to Latvia Presents Credentials

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:14:45 GMT

On Tuesday, 7 September, the new Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to the Republic of Latvia Mati Vaarmann presented his credentials to Latvian President Valdis Zatlers.

In the conversation that followed the credentials-presenting ceremony, Ambassador Mati Vaarmann and President Valdis Zatlers discussed Estonia-Latvia bilateral relations and opportunities to develop them further. Both sides emphasised the good relations and close co-operation between the countries in all areas, which were recently given an added impulse by the publication of the Latvia-Estonia Future Co-operation Report. President Zatlers expressed interest in the current status of the Estonian economy and preparations for the adoption of the euro. Another topic discussed was one that demands tremendous attention both bilaterally and regionally – energy security. Ambassador Vaarmann and President Zatlers also talked about Latvia’s domestic political developments, since there are parliamentary elections coming up soon in Latvia.

Mati Vaarmann was born on 14 September 1951. In 1973 he graduated from the Tallinn University of Technology with a degree in economics. Mati Vaarmann began working in the diplomatic field in 1992 as the economic advisor for the Estonian Embassy in Helsinki. From 1995-1997 Mati Vaarmann was the secretary general of the Foreign Ministry. Following that he was the Estonian Ambassador to Finland from 1997-2001. Starting in 2001 Mati Vaarmann worked as the director general of the Foreign Ministry’s internal audit department, and from 2002-2006 he was an undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry. Before assuming his current post, Vaarmann was the Estonian Ambassador to the Czech Republic. Ambassador Vaarmann speaks Estonian, Russian, Finnish, English, and German.

Estonian ambassador to the Republic of Latvia Mati Vaarmann presented his credentials to Latvian President Valdis Zatlers

SPOKESPERSON'S OFFICE
+372 637 7654
pressitalitus@mfa.ee

Estonian Embassy presents "Solomon's Song of Songs", designed by Raul Meel

Fri, 28 May 2010 14:03:29 GMT

The Estonian Ambassador in Latvia Jaak Jõerüüt today presented a gift on behalf of the Embassy to the Latvian National Museum of Art and also to the National Library of Latvia – a book, designed by Raul Meel „Solomon’s Song of Songs”. The gifts were accepted by the director of the museum Māra Lāce and the director of the library Andris Vilks.

Raul Meel, the internationally recognized Estonian artist, has created virtual copies of the Song of Songs in eleven languages: Dutch, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Finnish and Estonian – all the versions are presented in the exhibition in Belgium, in the Arts Library of Ghent University along with the other exhibits. The wide exhibition of Raul Meel in Ghent is opened from the April 20^th till May 28^th, 2010.

Currently, the twelfth and the last book is being prepared: the Latvian version. The only printed version available in a form of an exceptional book is the English one. The work in each language is unique, each page revealing a different graphic form.

The different translations of the historical world known Hebrew text, converted through a sublime artistic approach, turn into a masterpiece, which strikes its roots and spreads its branches in the history if national cultures and the history of culture of the whole world, growing through literature, arts, religion, and appearing in the diversity of the contemporary typographic and technological solutions.

Estonia to reintroduce border control at its internal borders during the meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:23:47 GMT

For security reasons, Estonia will reintroduce border control at its internal borders during the unofficial meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers from 17 – 23 April in Tallinn. To ensure the highest possible level of public policy and internal security, controls at the border will be introduced at Estonia’s border with Latvia and at ports and airports.

Border controls will be carried out in accordance with the Schengen Borders Code and State Borders Act.

Scholarship "Estophilus"

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:26:20 GMT

The Estonian Institute offers scholarships to holders of a doctoral degree or Master’s or Doctoral students who are citizens of a foreign state and are studying at a university abroad, to write a research paper on an Estonia-related topic or to gather material for it.

The deadlines are 01 March and 01 October.

The scholarship is designated to cover subsistence expenses, tuition fees and costs directly connected with the research; it may be granted for a period ranging from five to ten months. The scholarship for a five-month period is 40 000 EEK.

Knowledge of Estonian is an advantage but not a requirement.

The scholarship is granted by the Council of Academic Studies of Estonian Language and Culture Abroad, involving experts when necessary. The scholarship is financed by the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research and administered by the Estonian Institute.

Applying

The following documents should be presented for applying:

The completed application form
CV
Certificate proving the applicant’s status as a postgraduate student or a copy of a document proving his or her PhD degree
Plan of research
Written confirmation from an Estonian research or development institution to receive the applicant
For postgraduate students a recommendation from their research supervisor

The applications and accompanying documents, marked ‘Estophilus, should be submitted both by electronic and regular mail to the secretariat of the Council at the Estonian Institute, Suur-Karja 14, 10140 Tallinn.

More: http://ekkm.einst.ee/sisu/estophilus/

Estonia is waiving the visa invitation requirement

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:57:26 GMT

Estonia is simplifying the visa application process for people travelling to Estonia. On May 7 the Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu) approved an amendment that will waive the visa invitation requirement. The amendment will enter into force on July 30. Visa invitations submitted to and approved by the Citizenship and Migration Board before July 30 will be valid in foreign missions of Estonia as documents certifying the travel purpose within 6 months following the date of the corresponding decision,Waiving the visa invitation requirement means that those applying for visas no longer have to present an invitation approved by the Citizenship and Migration Board or other form of invitation, and from now on other documents will be sufficient to prove the purpose of travel.

The waiving of the invitation requirement will make the visa application process faster and easier. All other requirements will remain as before.

The most important thing for the visa applicant is to present his or her travel plans honestly and clearly and to fill in the visa application with his or her contact information and primary address of residence in Estonia. It is also required to submit documents that certify the purpose of travel and prove the existence of sufficient resources to cover return travel, sustenance and accommodation. It would also be useful for the applicant to indicate his or her connection to Estonia (for example, documents proving marital or family status, or a letter or email written by the person being visited in Estonia describing the person’s connection to the visa applicant).

The consul still reserves the right to ask the visa applicant or relevant individual or organisation to present oral or written explanations of the need for a visa. As before, the consul may request documents that certify the applicant’s intention to leave the Schengen area upon the expiration of the visa: return tickets, sufficient means of subsistence, proof of employment, proof of real estate in the country of residence, proof of ties with the country of residence (family ties, professional status) etc.

To prove the purpose of travel, the following supplementary documents could be submitted (the list is non-exhaustive):

For business travel: written confirmation from the company organising the meeting, conference, etc.; invitations/tickets to a fair or seminar; documents that prove the existence of business ties or certify the applicant’s connection to or status in a company.

For personal travel: documents confirming accommodation (hotel reservation, a letter or email which confirms that the receiver will allow accommodation for the visa applicant); travel package; copies of travel tickets.