President and the First Lady lit the Christmas Tree together with the best, strongest, biggest and creatively most active large families of all regions, including families that have recently returned to Latvia and families, which provide legal guardianship and foster care to their children, recommended to the President of Latvia by regional governments.
President of Latvia Egils Levits and the First Lady Andra Levite welcomed Kazerovskis family from Priekuļi region, Masaļskis family from Ērgļi region, Edvards Dunne and Elīna Dergača family from Smiltene region, Briedis family from Gulbene region, Inguss Strupišs and Arta Dēdele family from Saulkrasti region, Jefremovs family from Kandava region, Turks family from Rīga, Kājiņš family from Carnikava region, Bogdanovičs family from Ilūkste region, Maksimovs family from Krāslava region, Polnijs family from Kārsava region, Zaikovskis family from Balvi region, Gatis Brēdiķis and Ramona Rolle family from Pāvilosta region, Sisenis family from Priekule region, Neja family from Saldus region, Būmerts family from Jelgava, Gabrāns family from Jaunjelgava region and Helvigs family from Rundāle region.
Address of the President of Latvia to families
Good afternoon, dear children,
Good afternoon, dear parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts,
Dear ladies and gentlemen,
My wife and I are glad to see so many of you here today at the Riga Castle, the oldest building in the Riga City which was built when this city was founded. According to the established tradition, after the event we will go down and out onto the square by the Riga Castle to light the Christmas Tree.
Today Riga Castle welcomes the largest Latvian families from Latgale, Zemgale, Vidzeme and Kurzeme – all of Latvia’s regions. It is adorable to see so many children together with their parents. It is a sight that never ceases to inspire. Families with children symbolise the perpetual nature and continuity of life. Each family is a link of not only a lineage, but also a generation and the whole nation.
Everyday life of large families with several kids is not easy or simple. I know how it is because I come from a big family.
Family is the foundation of society. Strong families can survive all kinds of financial and other hardship. Latvian families, especially the big ones, deserve more support and attention from the state and society. Both in terms of financial support and attitude. Children, as we all know, are crucial for continuity of our state. We can even say that the way our society treats families is part of our attitude towards our state.
We must find a better demographic policy. I have always insisted upon and will continue to maintain that. It is our common concern and obligation.
Yet, at the same time, I have to admit that many respects Latvia is a lot more family-friendly than many European countries. Take for example a paid childcare leave and childcare benefits of up to 1.5 years. That is a valuable support that not all European countries offer. We are actually far ahead of the rest of Europe in this regard. Likewise, not all European countries provide their children green environment to grow up in, including clean air, water and nature connectedness. We must bear these benefits in our minds and think about ways of multiplying them at the same time.
Dignity, love and warmth define every family. You learn to support each other and stand up for each other from your family. Kindness and benevolence shapes and molds young minds, giving them reassurance about life.
Alongside large families, today we also honour those families that have returned to Latvia after spending some time abroad. Thank you for choosing you Fatherland as the place to live. I hope you will feel good here. Latvia needs you and will always welcome you back.
Nowadays, Latvia has become much more than a geographic location. It is a universe of shared ideas and concepts. We can keep our bond with Latvia even if we live elsewhere with the help of technologies and mobility. However, sooner or later every one of us becomes clearly aware that our identity, our being can fully thrive and be fully enjoyed only here – in our own land, not somewhere abroad.
Dear parents,
Future of Latvia sits next to you, or even in your lap, right now.
Thank you for what you do every day, for your selfless dedication to your family and children. Let me also thank grandparents, uncles and aunts, kind neighbours, school and kindergarten teachers. Thank you for ensuring the continuity of our nation and state. Thank you for raising the next generation of Latvians!
My wife and I wish lots of love, resilience, strength, energy and many rewarding moments in your life.
