This ceremony when we honour the numerous recipients of the ‘Pride of Latvia’ award shows that we are a rich country. Our richness comes from all the responsible, warm-hearted and wise people we have.
Today I have the great honour to present the award to a man with strong moral and intellectual standards. A man who showed the sense of responsibility comparable to that of a hero. An everyday hero. I assume many of you believe that any loving father would do the same, and I agree with you.
The video that we just saw emphasised an important notion. You all have a mission in your life. I think that Roberts also knows he has a mission in his life. I admire Roberts for that. For the determination and will to meet his goals – to finish school and move on to eventually become a sports reporter. I wish him all the best along this road. I also admire Mrs Jurka, Roberts’ mother, and also his brother and sister. Together, side-by-side, they help Roberts to walk this difficult road. We, the society, are convinced that it takes a hero to achieve that. We believe that Mr Jurka is, indeed, truly worthy of the award ‘Pride of Latvia’ in category ‘Father’, which is presented for the first time ever.
Thank you, Mr Jurka. Thank you, Robert. Thank you to the whole family. I suppose this award goes out to all fathers who have a special mission in their life and treat it with all the seriousness such task requires.
Thank you!
Photos from the meeting of the President of Latvia Egils Levits and winners of the ‘Pride of Latvia’ award at the Riga Castle.
