The highest Latvian State awards were presented to 33 people whose honest, professional and public work, active citizenship, selflessness, courage and patriotism strengthen our Latvia and whose contribution to Latvia and its society deserves the highest recognition and honour.
Published: 18.11.2023.
Order of the Three Stars was presented to 6 members of the public
Order of the Three Stars is presented for special service to homeland or significant contribution to development of public, local, social, cultural, educational, science, sports and economic sector. Such contribution may include individual outstanding achievements or continuous successful and exemplary accomplishments, or special role in restoring Latvia’s independence and strengthening of national statehood.
Commander of the Order of the Three Stars
Vilnis Sosārs, Head of the Palliative Care Unit at Riga East Clinical University Hospital "Biķernieki", chemotherapeutic oncologist, palliative care specialist, lecturer at the Department of Internal Medicine, Riga Stradiņš University
For outstanding merits in medicine and selfless work in oncology patient health care for many years, and contribution to the development of palliative care in Latvia
Officers of the Order of the Three Stars
Dr. chem. Osvalds Pugovičs, Director of the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Chairman of the Board of the Association of State Scientific Institutes, Corresponding Member of the Latvian Academy of Sciences
For outstanding services to chemical and pharmaceutical science, Latvia's integration into the European and world science space and contribution to the development of national science policy
Elmārs Zemovičs, oboist, music teacher and music historian
For services to culture and outstanding lifetime achievement in research into the history of Latvian music and musical instrument creation and the preservation of cultural heritage
Order of the Three Stars Class V
Ārijs Šķepasts, choir conductor, chief conductor of the Latvian Song and Dance Festival
For services to culture and significant contribution to the development of Latvian choral culture and strengthening the tradition of the Latvian Song and Dance Festival
Gilded Class I medal of the Order of the Three Stars
Olga Bugnevičute, general nurse, Surgery Clinic, Surgery Department 5, "Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital"
For selfless lifetime contribution to medical work and patient health care
Silver Class II medal of the Order of the Three Stars
Anna Vīgante, Education and Public Worker of Gulbene Municipality
For active public work and contribution to strengthening civil society
Order of Viesturs was presented to 15 members of the public
Order of Viesturs is awarded for special military achievements and notable contribution to national resistance and defending of national independence, national security, for maintaining and boosting of public order, national border protection, development of national armed forces, and patriotic education of citizens towards serving homeland and Latvian State, as well as defending of the Latvian land and state.
Commanders of the Order of Viesturs
Māris Gavrilko, Executive Secretary of the Joint Staff of the National Armed Forces, Colonel
For selfless service, significant contribution to the development of the National Armed Forces and the establishment and implementation of the national defence service system
Pauls Krūmiņš, Head of the Economic Crimes Combating Department of the Main Criminal Police Directorate of the State Police, Colonel
For selfless service and significant contribution to the maintenance and strengthening of Latvia's national security and public order
Oskars Mileika, Head of the Criminal Investigation Department of the State Border Guard, Colonel
For selfless service and significant contribution to strengthening the security of the Latvian state border and the development of the State Border Guard
Officers of the Order of Viesturs
Vladislavs Lisovs, Quality Supervision Engineer, State Border Guard Aviation and Special Operations Department, Major
For selfless service and significant contribution to strengthening the security of the Latvian state border and the development of the State Border Guard
Anita Pizele, Chief of the Operational Planning Directorate of the Headquarters of the National Guard of the Republic of Latvia, Lieutenant Colonel
For selfless service, significant contribution to the development of the National Armed Forces and the National Guard
Māris Priednieks, Deputy Head of the Directorate for Combating Serious and Serial Organised Crime, Head of Division 3, Lieutenant Colonel, Main Criminal Police Directorate of the State Police
For selfless service and significant contribution to the maintenance and strengthening of state security and public order in Latvia
Aleksandrs Sokolovs, Head of the Border Guard Division Silene of the Daugavpils Administration of the State Border Guard, Major
For selfless service and significant contribution to strengthening the security of the Latvian state border and the development of the State Border Guard
Order of Viesturs Class V
Edgars Lipors, musical director of the men's group "Vilki"
For significant contribution to inculcating national consciousness in citizens, preparing them for service to their country and for the steadfast defence of their country and land
Toms Ukstiņš, Head of the Communications Section of the Headquarters of the 4th Kurzeme Brigade of the National Guard of the Republic of Latvia, Captain
For selfless service and significant contribution to the development of the National Armed Forces and the National Guard
Gilded Class I medals of the Order of Viesturs
Aivars Kronītis, veteran sergeant of the 26th Infantry Battalion of the 2nd Vidzeme Brigade of the National Guard of the Republic of Latvia
For selfless service, significant contribution to the development of the National Armed Forces and the National Guard and to military-patriotic education
Dina Skrabe, Chief Nurse, Medical Company, 2nd Vidzeme Brigade, National Guard of the Republic of Latvia, Staff Sergeant
For exemplary, selfless service, contribution to the development of the National Guard and particularly significant contribution to the development of military medicine
Ingus Grišulis, Deputy Officer, Diplomatic Missions Security Division, Special Facilities Security Directorate, State Police Headquarters
For particularly significant contribution to the security of the Latvian State, for bravery and selflessness in the performance of official duties during the hostilities in Ukraine
Romans Orlačevs, Junior Inspector, Deputy Officer, Diplomatic Missions Security Division, Special Facilities Security Directorate, State Police Headquarters
For particularly significant contribution to the security of the Latvian State, for bravery and selflessness in the performance of official duties during the hostilities in Ukraine
Silver Class II medals of the Order of Viesturs
Raimonds Eiduks, Sergeant, Diplomatic Missions Security Division, Special Facilities Security Directorate, State Police Headquarters
For particularly significant contribution to the security of the Latvian State, for bravery and selflessness in the performance of official duties during the hostilities in Ukraine
Ivars Kivliņš, Sergeant, Diplomatic Missions Security Division, Special Facilities Security Directorate, State Police Headquarters
For particularly significant contribution to the security of the Latvian State, for bravery and selflessness in the performance of official duties during the hostilities in Ukraine
Cross of Recognition was presented to 12 members of society
Cross of Recognition is awarded for special loyalty to Latvia and meritorious achievements in the field of public administration, social activism, culture, science, sports or education. Such accomplishments include continued loyal service to Latvia at central or local level, high professional and ethical standards, service to society, strengthening of national spirit, grassroots activism or economic potential.
Commanders of the Cross of Recognition
Dr. phil. Manfred von Boetticher, archivist, historian, honorary member of the Latvian Society of Archivists
For long-standing significant contribution to the development of humanities education in Latvia and to the research and promotion of Latvian cultural heritage
Alain Guenon, founder and former long-standing director of Axon Cable Ltd
For many years of work and significant contribution to the national economy and the development of the electronics and electrical engineering sector in Latvia
Vanda Maderniece Director of Madona State Gymnasium
For services to education and long-standing significant contribution to the promotion of quality general education in Latvia and to the patriotic education of school youth
Dr. habil. paed. Ausma Špona, Professor Emeritus, University of Latvia
For outstanding lifetime contribution to pedagogical science and higher education in Latvia
Officers of the Cross of Recognition
Ramona Irbe, Neonatologist at Kuldīga Hospital, Head of Kuldīga and Ventspils dance groups, Head of Kuldīga municipality dance group "Kuldīdznieks"
For many years of selfless work in medicine, newborn health care and significant contribution to culture, strengthening the tradition of Song and Dance Festivals
Jolanta Medne, Head of the Council Office of JSC "Latvijas Finieris", National Guard
For truly patriotic service to Latvia and selfless work in providing assistance to Ukraine
Vija Rimša, Deputy Head of the Clinic for Children's Diseases, "Children's Clinical University Hospital", paediatrician
For outstanding lifetime service and contribution to the treatment of children and the promotion of health
Gunta Skuja, choreographer, dance pedagogue, Head of the Latvian Song and Dance Festival, artistic director of the Folk Dance Ensemble "Kalve" at the Latvian University of Biosciences and Technologies
For services to culture and outstanding creative contribution to the development of Latvian folk dance and the tradition of the Song and Dance Festival
Dr. paed. Rita Spalva, choreographer, dance pedagogue, Honorary Chief of the Latvian Song and Dance Festival
For services to culture and long-standing creative contribution to dance pedagogy and the development of the Song and Dance Festival tradition
Dr. paed. Aija Tūna, Head of the Latvian National Centre for Culture's “Latvian School Bag” programme, founder of the cultural education programme "Latvian School Bag"
For services to education and culture and outstanding contribution to promoting access to culture for children and young people in Latvia
Cross of Recognition Class V
Marika Saturiņa, philologist, translator, language editor
For many years of outstanding contribution to the strengthening of a democratic state governed by the rule of law and to the consolidation of Latvian as the official language
Gilded Class I medal of the Cross of Recognition
Antra Grinberga, Head of the Madona Municipality Ērgļi Secondary School Dance Group, teacher
For long-standing contribution to educational and cultural work and creative achievement in strengthening Latvian folk dance and the tradition of the Song and Dance Festival
