LW Presents: The 18th of November, a Proclamation Day Special
In honor of the 18th of November, Otto and Joe come together to discuss Latvian Proclamation Day (often called "independence day") including how it came to happen, how it has been celebrated in the past and present, what it means to Latvians today, why people wear ribbons and carry torches, and the peculiar reason why the more than 30,000 people named Aleksandrs are especially important on this day. Opening and closing theme: "Div' dūjiņas gaisā skrēja" performed by Lizete Iesmiņa-Mihelsone in 1908 Latvian traditional folk song, gramophone recording in the public domain Courtesy of the National Library of Latvia https://audio.lndb.lv/68084/
16 Nov 201930min
LW #54: Soldiers and Artists Remembered, and News from November 7th - 13th, 2019
Kris Akenfelds joins Joe to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Latvia's defeat of German and Russian forces in Rīga, remember the life of legendary artist Džemma Skulme, and discuss major stories such as protests by medical workers and regional reform opponents, the death of LNT, the Latvian Green Party's expulsion from the European Green Party, and more. Otto and Olevs also join from New York to discuss international stories and discuss the important of Lāčplēša diena. Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission Weather theme: Smooth Jazz (am) by Backing Track Ninja Source: backingtrackninja.bandcamp.com/track/smo…h-jazz-am
13 Nov 20191h
LW #53: CO2 Panic, Driving Exams, and News From October 29th - November 6th, 2019
While Otto and Olevs cover major international stories from far away in New York City, Joe and Matīss discuss questionable journalism about potential CO2 regulations, the blacklisting of a popular Russian singer, the challenges of Latvian language and driving exams, and much more! Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission Weather theme: Smooth Jazz (am) by Backing Track Ninja Source: backingtrackninja.bandcamp.com/track/smo…h-jazz-am
6 Nov 201958min
LW Interviews: Latvia's Honorary Consul to Texas Peter Ragauss
Listen to Olevs and Otto interview Peter A. Ragauss, who serves as the Honorary Consul of Latvia to Texas, U.S., and a board member at the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation. He is an American Latvian with a strong connection from Latgale — the easternmost and arguably the most distinct part of Latvia. Find out how American, Latvian and Latgalian identities have formed Peter's personality, his way to success in America as a second generation immigrant and ways how he nowadays contributes to Latvia and Latgale in particular. You can also hear Peter's take on the development of Latvia since regaining independence and some ideas of the right way forward.
1 Nov 201941min
LW #52: Birthdays, Bottle Deposits, and News from October 24th - 28th, 2019
Otto, Olevs, and Kris join Joe and Līga in Jelgava to celebrate the Latvia Weekly Podcast's first birthday and discuss a range of issues including a new bottle deposit system, a change at the top of Saskaņa's leadership, President Levits' visit to Japan, and much more! Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission Weather theme: Smooth Jazz (am) by Backing Track Ninja Source: backingtrackninja.bandcamp.com/track/smo…h-jazz-am
27 Okt 20191h 2min
LW #51: Super Strawberries and News from October 17th - 23rd, 2019
Otto and Olevs join Joe all the way from Berlin to discuss their most recent Baltic security initiatives as well as frost-resistant strawberries, Latvia's aging and CO2-happy car fleet, Jelgava's unhappy mayor, great achievements by Latvia's star female athletes, and much more! Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission Weather theme: Smooth Jazz (am) by Backing Track Ninja Source: backingtrackninja.bandcamp.com/track/smo…h-jazz-am
25 Okt 20191h 2min
LW #50: Budget Bagged and Delivered and News from October 11th - 16th, 2019
As they celebrate their 50th episode with a new theme song by sports correspondent Jorens Šteinhauers, Otto and Joe discuss the topsy-turvy week that Latvia's ministers had, with Finance Minister Jānis Reirs handing in the 2020 budget, Education Minister Ilga Šuplinska surviving a vote of no confidence and continuing her fight against Univeristy of Latvia rector Indriķis Muižnieks, Environment and Regional Development Minister Juris Pūce giving more way on regional reform, and Defense Minister Artis Pabriks finding himself in hot water over comments about the Latvian Legion. Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission Weather theme: Smooth Jazz (am) by Backing Track Ninja Source: backingtrackninja.bandcamp.com/track/smo…h-jazz-am
16 Okt 20191h 17min
LW #49: A Bad Week for (Former) Mayors and News from October 3rd - 10th, 2019
With Otto busy preparing for the important yearly Riga Conference, Joe covers domestic drama such as the arrest of former Mayor of Daugavpils Rihards Eigims, renewed charges against current Mayor of Jurmala Gatis Truksnis, a football match fixing scandal, a possible solution to Rīga's trash problem, and much more! Otto and Joe did get a chance to discuss some major international stories together such as President Levits' visit to Estonia and Latvia's Brexit position, and Jöran and Oliver join us as usual to talk about the latest in sports. Opening and closing music by Anna Veisa
10 Okt 201958min
