The President of Latvia stated that more than 370,000 nationals of Latvia and people of Latvian origin live in more than 120 countries at present. The number of Latvian diaspora culture groups, weekend schools, and diaspora organizations continues to grow every year.
“However, these are just numbers, which represent the people and their deeds that are necessary for Latvia. Choirs, dance companies, Sunday schools, and Latvian organizations, which constitute a huge contribution from volunteers. We can exemplify from them how we all can stay together and maintain our roots,” said Raimonds Vējonis.
He thanked the Latvian organizations in the world for their tireless work of creating and maintaining the connection of the compatriots living abroad with Latvia, which has been maintained since the iron curtain still separated Latvia and Latvia only dreamed of independence.
“The Baltic Peace and Freedom Cruise in 1985 along the shores of occupied Baltic States was the most significant political campaign of exile proving the persistence and belief in freedom among our compatriots. I would like to thank all those, who defended and preserved the idea of an independent state of Latvia despite all the difficulties. Thank you to all those, who continued calling the name of Latvia in the world proudly,” stated the President of Latvia.
He expressed his hope that the First European Latvian Congress would become a tradition of exchanging ideas and experience by strengthening ties between the inhabitants of Latvia and their compatriots abroad.