Year 2022

In 2022, the University of Latvia Latvian Language and Culture Summer School was held online and brought together 30 participants from around the world: Brazil, Canada, China, Japan, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States, Qatar, Indonesia, Spain, Greece, Germany, and Poland. The participants’ knowledge of Latvian varied – from beginners with no prior knowledge of the language to those with already very good A2-level skills. Some students chose to study Latvian again at a higher level and hoped that in 2023 they would be able to study in person.

Over the course of two weeks, various classes, as well as virtual excursions and seminars, took place. The summer school participants included students and lecturers from different universities, as well as enthusiasts and representatives of the diaspora.

Scholarship holders from the State Education Development Agency of Latvia (VIAA) also took part in the summer school. Once a year VIAA announces an application call for financial support for the organization of summer schools. The support is provided in the form of scholarships intended to cover expenses for foreign students and academic staff participating in summer schools organized by Latvian higher education institutions.

Latvian language classes at the summer school were taught by Doctor of Philology Inga Laizāne and Doctor of History Kristīne Ante. History and politics were presented by Mg. Hist. Ginta Ieva Bikše; art and culture by Anita Smeltere, curator of the Latvian Cultural Canon at the National Library of Latvia; and folklore and Latvian traditions by Ilga Vālodze Ābele.

During online excursions, participants also visited the Krišjānis Barons Memorial Museum, took a virtual tour of the streets of Riga, visited the Rainis and Aspazija House in Riga, the Museum of the Occupation, the Riga History and Navigation Museum, and the Latvian National Museum of Art.

An interview with the participants of the summer school can be read here: “Negribu, lai mani uzlūko kā tūristu.» Ārzemnieki pandēmijas laikā nav zaudējuši interesi par latviešu valodas apguvi” , (Sintija Ambote, 14.08.2022., LSM.lv)

An article about the summer school is also available here: “Latvijas Universitātē notiek otrā vasaras skola latviešu valodas entuziastiem” (Sarmīte Miltiņa, 27.07.2022. University of Latvia news portal)