Honourable members of the Chapter of Orders,
Honourable and dear recipients of honours,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the Riga Castle on this special day when we celebrate the 101st Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic of Latvia and present the highest decorations of our state. You come from different professional backgrounds and sectors, different generations and regions of Latvia, however you all share the same traits – civic patriotism, honesty and selflessness in serving our country and its people.
Today we are celebrating the birthday of our country. Country that would not have been created if it were not for firm conviction that Latvian nation is entitled to its own independent and democratic state. Conviction that burned in the hearts of our founding fathers. State of Latvia continues to exist thanks to those courageous and selfless Latvians who continued to defend Latvia after its proclamation.
As we can see from historical accounts, individual courage, conviction and loyalty to our Latvia has been decisive for our state at different moments of its hardship-riddled history.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Today, as the President of Latvia, I have the privilege and duty to present the highest state decorations to you on behalf of the state of Latvia. These honours are a recognition of individual selflessness and devotion that you have shown in helping Latvia and its people grow and prosper. I am happy that this custom of showing moral appreciation and recognition has grown into a beautiful tradition.
I am honoured to bestow our country’s highest decorations on behalf of the state of Latvia. There are three types of award. The Order of the Three Stars which was introduced 95 years and restored 25 years ago with motto ‘Per aspera ad astra’ (Through thorns to the stars) honouring the founding of the state of Latvia, and two past awards restored 15 years ago – the Order of Viesturs, named after the ancient Semigallian war chief Viesturs with motto ‘Confortamini et pugnate’ (Be strong and fight) and the Cross of Recognition with motto ‘Pour les honnêtes gens’ (For the Pure-hearted) introduced by the young Duke of Courland Frederick William in early 18th century to reinforce the Dukedom of Courland and Semigallia.
State honour represents recognition from the state and respect by all fellow Latvians.
These decorations presented by the President on behalf of the state of Latvia are a way of thanking notable people of Latvia for their outstanding professional contribution and service to the country and the people. It is also a way of thanking Latvia’s international friends and supporters for their role in our country’s growth.
Today new recipients of orders will join those pure-hearted people who carry out their work and duties not only for personal fulfilment but also for the glory of their profession and the state. These accomplishments make Latvia much stronger overall. They make life here better, brighter and contribute to our international image.
All citizens of free and democratic countries can and should make their contribution and show personal responsibility for the development of their country. Only by working together will we make our state strong.
That is why it is important to use the anniversary of our state to thank and praise those whose work makes the future of Latvia stronger.
Today we are honouring those Latvians who have done an excellent service to Latvia and our people. You all represent such a diverse range of equally significant areas. There are civil servants, court senate members, teachers, academics, historians, doctors, assistant doctors and nurses, culture figures and artists, business owners, border force officers and soldiers, priests, municipal employees, local history experts and social workers from all over Latvia or Kurzeme, Zemgale, Vidzeme and Latgale among you today.
Today we honour those who continued to treasure the image of independent Latvia during those 50 years of Soviet occupation, preserved the Latvian consciousness and identity, evoked and ignited the national aspirations during the Awakening that eventually brought us here today.
We respect and admire your exceptional love of what you do, and even more so your love towards our country and its people.
I want to thank all those Latvians whose fate has cast them far away from our country and who have lived their life by Latvian values to serve Latvia and preserve Latvianness abroad with admiring passion and joy.
Today we are also praising our foreign friends and supporters whose work and contribution has been instrumental to Latvia’s growth and international profile.
Dear recipients,
As the President of Latvia, I personally feel extremely proud and pleased to present the national decorations on behalf of the state of Latvia and myself to you today, as well as wholeheartedly praise and sincerely thank all of you together and separately for the noble deeds which make our country and people stronger.
Latvia is truly proud of each and every one of you!
Thank you!
