Latvia Weekly

After a bit longer gap between episodes than usual due to a few side effects, Joe is back, vaccinated, and ready to discuss the biggest news stories of the last two weeks with Otto. Items they discuss include the reopening of stores, the limited return of 12th graders to school, the rise of fraudulent COVID tests, and more!

14 Apr 20211h 17min

For the show's overall 150th episode, Joe turns the tables on co-host Otto Tabuns and frequent guest host Olevs Nikers and interviews them about their work in leading the Baltic Security Foundation.

10 Apr 202136min

Spring is back with all its traditions, including the dangerous burning of the previous year's grass throughout the country. Otto and Joe discuss this along with other important news updates from Latvia, including a new vaccine timetable, a sunnier economic forecast, another new political party, and much more!

31 Mar 20211h 10min

Although Joe and Otto are unable to meet in person, they separately bring you takes on some of the biggest stories this week, such as the brief pause to use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, more pothole headaches, and the implications of US President Biden's words about his Russian counterpart. Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission Closing theme song: Think Tank by Audionautix audionautix.com​ Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/_think-tank​ Music promoted by Audio Library youtu.be/mbV9t1Z0rA8 otos/valstskanceleja/50932447422/

23 Mar 202138min

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, Joe talked with Lithuanian-born Ruta Kapustaite about her experience directing the Rīga-based Irish Dance Studio "Ceili Rue" and some insights into Irish, Lithuanian, and Latvian culture. Intro music: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Aislinn/Aislinn/03_-_Aislinn_-_Morrissons_jig_-_Leslies_march Morrisson's jig - Leslie's march by Aislinn is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives (aka Music Sharing) 3.0 International License.

17 Mar 202133min

Promises by the government of mass vaccinations by April look increasingly dubious after a series of major missteps by both private and public institutions that came to light during the week. Otto and Joe go on another socially distanced walk to discuss these stories and a number of others, including the buyout of another local brewery, a rejected proposal to legalize euthanasia, the entry of another low-cost chain store into the Latvian market, and more! Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission Closing theme song: Think Tank by Audionautix audionautix.com​ Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/_think-tank​ Music promoted by Audio Library youtu.be/mbV9t1Z0rA8 otos/valstskanceleja/50932447422/

15 Mar 202146min

As Latvians watch in wonder as ice jams break up throughout the country's rivers, the government's vaccination actions come under heavy criticism by investigative journalists. Joe and Otto go on a socially distanced walk through Jelgava to discuss these stories and important happenings throughout Latvia this week, including the shutdown of a major international bakery in Riga, more corruption allegations in Ventspils and Ikšķile, a proposed zero tolerance alcohol driving policy, and much more!

6 Mar 20211h 4min

Our revived weekly interview series kicks off with a chat between Joe and our "story of the day" editor Cian Guckian, who has lived between Ireland and Jelgava over the past few years. Cian talks about his experience working as a freelance journalist for the Baltic Times, as well as adapting to life in Latvia. Opening music by Austra Apsīte

4 Mar 202133min