Dear Livs, Dear Latvians, Dear Kolka People, Dear Audience,
I
It is a great honour for me to be here and participate in the Liv festival for the second time 26 years apart. For the first time, I attended the opening of the Liv Culture Centre in 1993. Today it looks like there are more people than then. In any case, it is very beautiful that you are here in large numbers today.
II
Why the Livs? The Livs are one of the five original constituents of the Latvian nation, which has made a great impact on Latvian culture and the Latvian language, which we usually do not really know and do not recognise, but the impact is very large. That is why I am also pleased that a Liv Institute has been established to operate in two directions. Of course, the first is exploring and developing Liv culture and history, but also showing other Latvians what the Livs have contributed to the Latvian nation, Latvian culture, and Latvian language.
The Livs are the only indigenous people in Latvia, which also imposes special obligations on the Republic of Latvia to preserve and promote this cultural heritage. Of course, the state cannot do this instead of the Livs themselves, but it can contribute to the succession and preservation of this cultural heritage. I think that the state of Latvia is doing exactly that. I also think that the Kolka Local Government is the municipality with top responsibility in this situation. The Kolka Local Government is very responsive, and it was a great pleasure for me to meet your leader today.
III
I consider that this issue of cultural identity must be taken into account and preserved in the course of territorial and educational reforms. Both reforms should be implemented in such a way that this peculiar place in Latvia, this coastline retains its identity and unique character both in Latvia and in entire Europe, because the Livs are the smallest nation in Europe now, which imposes a greater duty on every Liv, because if the Liv does nothing himself, no one else will. It is a special duty for everyone to do many things to keep the Liv nation in existence and to pass on language and culture.
This youth camp, where the Liv language was taught, is also very essential for learning the basics and then perhaps even more proficiency in the Liv language. It all belongs to the culture of Latvia, to the shared national culture of Latvia.
IV
The Livs, as a small nation but indigenous people, are also mentioned in the Constitution of Latvia, which states that our common Latvian identity is based on Latvian and Liv traditions. The Constitution has also been translated into the Liv language. I had a quote, but I would not be able to repeat it now spontaneously in the Liv language. However, you can read the Constitution of Latvia in the Liv language published by the Courthouse Agency.
Thank you so much for coming here, for my opportunity to take a picture with all three choirs, and join you here. Thank you!