At an individual ceremony today at Riga Castle President of Latvia Egils Levits presented the Order of the Three Stars to Anna Laudere, leading soloist of the Hamburg Ballet Company, for her important creative contribution to the art of ballet by furthering the Latvian ballet tradition and promoting Latvia’s name throughout the world. Having been awarded the highest state honours, Anna Laudere has been appointed an officer of the Order of the Three Stars.
“Thank you, Miss Laudere for everything you do for Latvia’s culture. I mean this precisely as I say – for Latvia’s culture, because a Latvian is part of the Latvian nation and promotes Latvia’s name in the world no matter where she is. I must say that we have something in common, as I, too, have lived in Hamburg for quite a long time. I’ve been to the opera there as well and studied there. Hamburg is a city open to culture and to international culture. The fact that you are living and working there is, of course, a very high international acknowledgement. The John Neumeier Ballet is known throughout the world. As a soloist performing there you are known to all ballet and culture lovers, and you embody the name of Latvia. Thank you for this, and I wish you all possible professional success in future. May the radiance that exudes from you and thus the whole of Latvia extend ever further and longer! Thank you!” said President of Latvia Egils Levits as he addressed Anna Laudere and the attendees of the ceremony.