Blog

Exploring new tastes during international food evening
Wednesday, July 15
Let’s think – what’s one of the most important things in humans’ everyday life? What are we looking for when we are going to another country? And how can you know more about the typical food traditions in particulal culture? Of course, just by tasting the food. Our participants also wanted to know more about the differences between our and their food so there were no doubts – international food party is what we need!

Exploring Latvian dancing traditions
Tuesday, July 14
Already third and the last week has started but still we have many activities left. For Monday we had an opportunity to discover latvian dances. After the interesting lectures and workshops about family and kinship issues we went to the nice place near Valmiera called „Vīnkalni”.

Discovering new things during the field trip
Monday, July 13
The second weekend after the long week of classes and workshops was just in time. Our field trip to the capital city Rīga, Jūrmala, Sigulda and Turaida was exciting. So many things to discover for even latvians who have been in those cities for several times.

Getting new experience in the boat trip
Wednesday, July 8
Oh, look, how time is flying! Already the second week is in the middle and still so many activities to do. The language day was full with interesting activities and passed unnoticeable. It was full of laughs because of our languages and trying to understand each other while speaking in our own languages. Trying to find similarities and differences by reading the latest news from Latvia and Lithuania. Actually quite easy to understand each other if you use international words. Conclusion – Latvians, Lithuanians, Hungarians and Belarussians can understand each other more or less easy. Difficulties starts with Greek, Thai and languages from India.

Making the new friendship with Latvian families
Tuesday, July 7
Tuesday came with the lectures and workshops about history, geography and culture. Professor Thomas Taterka introduced us with the relation between literature, culture, history and identity and about national epics mainly about reflections on identities, cultures, traditions and nations. In our workshops we discussed the Latvian national epic „Lāčplēsis” („Bearslayer”). It was interesting to know more about the characters in this epic and their real meaning.

The Baltic International Summer School 2009 has started with lots of fun
Saturday, July 4
Finally yesterday we had the official opening ceremony with welcome speeches by the Rector of Valmiera University of Applied Sciences and other officials from the city council and Ministry of Education and Science. Nice evening with tasty snacks, wonderful music by choir „Cats” („Kaķi”) and other activities.

Participants discover Latvian culture during the weekend
Sunday, July 5
Time is running fast and first weekend has already gone. So many activities, so many things to do that it’s hard to follow the days! Sometimes have a feeling that there is only one long day. On Saturday we had very interesting lectures and workshops with Danute Dūra – a director of Education Program at the Museum of Occupation of Latvia.

Let’s begin our second week in the summer school!
Monday, 6th of July
Monday as always is a little bit sleepy but the classes are exciting. Valdis Muktupāvels – the professor of ethnomusicology talked about customs and traditions and showed us (and even played!) some traditional music instruments.