President of Latvia presents the highest Latvian state awards at the Riga Castle on 4 May

On 4 May, the Day of the Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia, the highest state awards – the Order of Three Stars, the Order of Viesturs and the Cross of Recognition – were presented at a ceremony at the Riga Castle.

On the centenary of the Order of the Three Stars and the 30th anniversary of its restoration, as well as on the 20th anniversary of the restoration of the Order of Viesturs and the Cross of Recognition, the highest Latvia are given to individuals whose professional and public work, civic activism, selflessness, and patriotism contribute to the strengthening of our country and are deserving of the highest recognition and honour. Individually and collectively, they represent the values of excellence and integrity both in professional work and in contribution to the common good by advancing the growth and prosperity of a democratic, lawful, national and European Latvia.

Members of the public awarded the Order of the Three Stars

The Order of the Three Stars is granted for special merits in service to the Fatherland – in municipal, public, cultural, educational, scientific, sporting or economic activities. Merit may be defined as either a single outstanding achievements, continued record of exemplary and successful service, or extraordinary achievement during the period of restoration of Latvia's independence or consolidation of national statehood.

Officers of the Order of the Three Stars:

Executive Director of the Foundation for an Open Society DOTS, Director of the LAMPA Conversation Festival, Member of the Board of the Riga Graduate School of Law, Ieva Morica
For significant personal contribution to the development of civil society, promotion of the diversity of opinion, tolerance and culture of debate, strengthening Latvia as a democratic, inclusive and cohesive country.

Senator of the Department of Administrative Cases of the Supreme Court Senate of the Republic of Latvia, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law of the University of Latvia, constitutional law expert, Dr.iur. Jānis Pleps
For outstanding and creative contribution to the modernization of the Latvian legal system, the cultivation of legal and historical consciousness and the promotion of the identity of Latvia's cultural and historical regions, strengthening Latvia as a democratic, lawful and national state.

Film director, screenwriter and producer Laima Žurgina
For merits in the field of culture and lifetime contribution to the tradition of Latvian poetic documentary cinema and the promotion of cultural history.

Cavaliers of the Order of the Three Stars:

Lecturer at Riga Stradiņš University, Chair of the Board of the Children's Palliative Care Society, pediatrician Anda Jansone
For merits in the field of medicine, many years of selfless work and contribution to the establishment and development of children's palliative care in Latvia.

Head of the Family and Children Development Centre "Brīnumiņš", National Armed Forces Marine Corps officer Agnese Kviese
For many years of selfless work and contribution to the provision of social rehabilitation for children with special needs and support for families.

Members of the public awarded the Order of Viesturs

The Order of Viesturs is awarded for special military merits, as well as for special merits in the national resistance movement and in the defending of the independence of the state, in maintaining and strengthening national security and public order, in protecting the state border, developing the national armed forces and in instilling civic patriotic values.

Commanders of the Order of Viesturs:

Chief of the Fire Safety Supervision Department of the State Fire and Rescue Service, Colonel Dzintars Lagzdiņš
For many years of exemplary service, merits in strengthening the internal security of the Latvian state and in the development of the Fire Safety Supervision System.

Chief of the Information Analysis and Management Department, Joint Headquarters of the National Armed Forces, Colonel Māris Tūtins
For selfless service, merits in the field of development of the National Defence Forces and strengthening of the defence of Latvia.

Officers of the Order of Viesturs:

Head of the State Border Guard Return and Asylum Division, Lieutenant Colonel Mareks Hoņavko
For merits in the field of the state border protection, significant contribution to the strengthening of state border security and the development of the State Border Guard.

Commander of the 13th Infantry Battalion of the 1st Riga Brigade of the National Guard of the Republic of Latvia, Lieutenant Colonel Armands Ķesteris
For selfless service and meritorious contribution to the development of the National Armed Forces and the National Guard.

Deputy Head of the Department for Combating Serious and Serial Organised Crime, Head of Division 4 of the Main Criminal Police Department of the State Police, Lieutenant Colonel Armands Lubarts
For selfless service and meritorious contribution to maintaining and strengthening the security and public order of the Latvian state.

Head of the State Police Short-term Detention Bureau of the Public Order Police Department of Riga Regional Administration, Lieutenant Colonel Natālija Volgina
For selfless service and meritorious contribution to maintaining and strengthening the internal security of the Latvian state.

The Medal of Honour Class I of the Order of Viesturs bestowed upon:

Air Force Command Group, Headquarters of the National Armed Forces, Master Sergeant Aļona Ņikitina
For selfless service, significant contribution to the development of the National Armed Forces as well as assistance to Ukraine, its servicemen and civilian population.

The Medal of Honour Class III of the Order of Viesturs bestowed upon:

Firefighter Rescuer (Driver), Ogre Division, Riga Region Administration, State Fire and Rescue Service, Corporal Dzintars Zaretoks
For many years of exemplary service, significant contribution to the work of a fire rescuer and to the development of the State Fire and Rescue Service.

Members of the public awarded the Cross of Recognition

The Cross of Recognition is an award for faithful service to the Fatherland and outstanding merits in national and public service, culture, science, sports, and education. Merit may be defined as a dutiful and diligent service in the national or local government, exemplary and conscientious discharge of duties, and all activities related to public service, cultivation of the national spirit, and promotion of entrepreneurial and economic activities.

Commanders of the Cross of Recognition:

Entrepreneur, Chairman of the Board of "Kokpārstrāde 98" Ltd, philanthropist Gunārs Dzenis
For long-term significant contribution to the national economy and the development of the tradition of philanthropy in Latvia.

Officers of the Cross of Recognition:

Director of Neputns Publishing House Elgita Bērtiņa
For outstanding contribution to Latvian book publishing and many years of selfless work in the preservation of cultural heritage.

Entrepreneur Guntis Bredovskis
For significant civic initiative, selfless work and outstanding contribution to support Ukraine, its soldiers and civilians.

Director of Viļāni Music and Art School and music teacher, organist of Viļāni Roman Catholic Church Inta Brence
For many years of selfless work and contribution to interest education and patriotic education of school youth.

Executive Director of "Gaujas Koks" Ltd Jevgenija Jakovska
For significant civic initiative, selfless work and notable contribution to providing assistance to Ukraine, its soldiers and civilians.

Director of the Entrepreneurs for Peace Foundation Laura Skrodele
For significant civic initiative, organisation and selfless contribution to Ukraine, its army and civilians.

Architect and writer Gunta Šnipke
For services in the field of culture and outstanding creative achievement in architecture as well as the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage.

Cavaliers of the Cross of Recognition:

Deputy Director for Education of Riga Ukrainian Secondary School Ināra Boka
For the long-standing contribution to educational work and selfless work in providing support to Ukrainian refugees in Latvia.

Music teacher, conductor, vocal ensemble leader, artistic director of the Ventspils Culture Centre women's choir "Venda" Anitra Niedre
For the long-standing creative work in the field of education and culture and significant contribution to strengthening the tradition of women's choirs.

The Medal of Honour Class I of the Cross of Recognition bestowed upon:

Deputy Director of Education, history and social studies teacher at Ojārs Vācietis Gaujiena Primary School Līga Bukovska
For long-standing contribution to the field of education and local history, patriotic education of school youth.