News


Donate to the Latvian Educational and Cultural Foundation
January 13, 2023 — Dear friends! The Latvian National Federation in Canada Educational and Cultural Foundation (ECF) is inviting you to continue your support of Latvian educational and cultural activities in Canada by joining this year’s annual fundraising “Draudzīgais aicinājums” drive. “Draudzīgais aicinājums” or “Friendly Invitation” was begun in 1935 by Latvia’s former president Karlis Ulmanis in order to support Latvian schools and culture,...

Calling Latvian Artists in Canada; deadline Dec 10
December 5, 2022 — Calling Latvian Artists in Canada The Latvian National Federation in Canada invites Latvian artists living in Canada to help us create an electronic Christmas card. We are holding a contest seeking artwork and design for the copy to convey our best wishes of the season to our community, supporters, and collaborators. Please submit sketches by midnight on December 10 to...

Statement by the Prime Minister on Latvia's Independence Day
November 18, 2022 — November 18, 2022Ottawa, Ontario The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Latvia’s Independence Day: “Today, we join Latvian communities in Canada and around the world to celebrate Latvia’s Independence Day. “Canada and Latvia enjoy a strong and positive relationship built on deep ties between our peoples, and a shared commitment to democracy, freedom, and...

Latvian Flag Raising Ceremony in Guelph on Friday
November 16, 2022 — We are happy to announce that the Latvian flag will be raised in Guelph, Ontario on November 18 at 9 am to mark the 104th anniversary of Latvia's independence. Thank-you to Arni Miķelsons for arranging this! Location: Guelph City Hall, 1 Carden Street This is a welcome addition to the other flag-raising and "light-up" events across Canada. ...

Zoom links for November 18 and 19 events at the Canadian Latvian Cultural Centre in Toronto
November 14, 2022 — Of course, we hope you will be able to participate in person if you live near Toronto! But if not, you will be able to participate via Zoom: Topic: 18. un 19. novembris KLCT Time: Nov 18, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Every day, 2 occurrence(s) Nov 18, 2022 08:00 AM until...

LNAK News Update e-mail Newsletter
November 12, 2022 — Here is the latest LNAK e-mail newsletter including: a greeting from the Latvian Ambassador to Canada Kaspars Ozoliņš information about November 18 Latvian Independence Day celebrations across the country information about three Latvian films that will be available for viewing this month: Baņuta (Toronto, November 16), Valiant! (Toronto November 18 and online on November 24, and which you can request...


Latvia's Ambassador to Canada Kaspars Ozoliņš' Greeting as November 18 draws near
November 10, 2022 — I would like to take this opportunity to greet you on the anniversary of the Latvian declaration of independence, which we will soon be celebrating together at a number of events in Ottawa, Toronto, Niagara Falls, and Hamilton. I look forward to meeting many of you in the uplifting, festive atmosphere that our national day calls for. On November 18...

Your family's history is valuable - New guidelines on maintaining archival materials
November 9, 2022 — It's been more than a year since the World Federation of Free Latvians together with support from the Latvian Ministry of Culture started to collect information about Latvian archives around the world. in Canada, so far 9 private archives have been registered - if you have archival materials at home (and we all do), you are invited to register your...


Latvia's Parliamentary Election Results
October 7, 2022 — The 14th Latvian Parliamentary elections took place last Saturday, October 1. In Canada, 612 Latvian citizens participated, 537 at one of the four voting stations, and 75 by mail. Latvians in Canada overwhelmingly voted for New Unity - Jaunā Vienotība (57%). The next most popular party was the Progressives - Progresīvie (13%), followed by the National Alliance - Nacionālā Apvienība...

Latvians participate in Canada's Culture Days: Latvian Textile and Knitting Traditions (Canadian Latvian Cultural Centre in Toronto, Saturday, October 15)
October 7, 2022 — Latvian Textile and Knitting Traditions The Latvian Artisans Association of Canada has been active in Ontario since 1953. Its goal is not only to preserve folk art and national costumes brought to Canada by Latvian refugees fleeing Russian occupation of their country during the Second World War, but also to ensure future generations of Latvian-Canadians have the ability to practise...

2023: Time to start thinking about the XXVII Latvian Song and Dance Festival in Rīga
October 3, 2022 — 2023 marks the 150th Anniversary of the Latvian Song Festival which was first held in Riga in 1873 (and it will be 70 years from Canada’s first Latvian Song Festival in 1953) The 2023 Song and Dance Festival in Latvia is organized by the Latvian National Cultural Centre and will take place in Rīga from June 30 to...

LNFC Culture Section Chair Agra Vāgnere
October 2, 2022 — When the leaves turn red and cooler mornings come knocking at your doorstep, it is clear that October has arrived bringing the more culturally active season with a variety of events, quiet evenings with a book of poetry or a handicraft project.Activity also returns to the Latvian community's various activities. The dancers practise their steps as the singers exercise their...

Join Us In Celebrating Latvian Independence Day
September 30, 2022 — In Toronto, the 104th anniversary of Latvian Independence Day will be celebrated on November 19, 2022, at 14:00 at the Canadian Latvian Cultural Centre, 4 Credit Union Drive. The guest speaker will be the Latvian Ambassador to Canada, Mr. Kaspars Ozoliņš.

LNFC President Fritz Traugott Kristbergs banned from entering Russia.
September 30, 2022 — On September 22, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs added 87 Canadian applications to the so-called "black list" that prohibits entry into Russia. New names added include military officials, lieutenant governors, premiers such as Quebec's François Legault, and members of the country's pro-democracy nonpartisan parliamentary center. Sanctions have also been applied to Bombardier CEO Éric Martel and heads of various...

LNFC Education Section head Elizabete Pētersone invites you to celebrate your child’s Latvian heritage, as Latvian schools in Canada gear up for the 2022/2023 school year.
September 13, 2022 — September has arrived, and children and youth here in the northern hemisphere are back at school after the summer break. Schools in Latvia always start on September 1; in Canada, school starts after Labour Day weekend. Latvian schools in Canada are also opening up their doors to welcome all children of Latvian heritage. It is not just so that they...

JĀbalso! Wednesday, September 14 8:30-10:00 am EDT Party Debate on the Economy and Social Welfare
September 12, 2022 — Watch the debate on the www.jabalso.lv website or on the PBLA Facebook page PBLA Facebook JĀbalso September 14 debate.

Support Ukraine! March of Solidarity Saturday, Sept. 17, Bloor West Village, Toronto (meet in High Park 10 am)
September 11, 2022 — The Ukrainian community has invited us to participate in the March of Solidarity as part of the Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival, Saturday, September 17. Assembly begins at 10 am (north entrance to High Park), and the March begins at 11 am, ending at Jane and Bloor at 12 pm. We have been invited to wear national/festive dress and...