When addressing the audience, the President of Latvia has emphasised that the Latvian community in Estonia is active and well known both to local state and municipal institutions and to wider Estonian public. The President of Latvia noted that the events and programs initiated by the Latvian community have already become a model for others.
“I am very pleased that Latvians in Estonia, being just within arm’s reach from their native land, have not left the cultivation of their Latvian traditions only for the occasions to visit their relatives and friends in Latvia. In Estonia, there are active and self-initiated cultural associations, Latvian additional school, and interest groups established that provide invaluable support for the maintenance of the Latvian language, culture, and traditions in everyday life,” stated the President of Latvia.
Tallinn and Tartu are the most active centres of Latvian diaspora in Estonia, which consists of several organisations such as the Estonian Latvian Association, the Latvian National Culture Association in Estonia, the Tartu Latvian Association, the Latvian Additional School Taurenis in Tallinn, Folk Group Rēvele, Choir Ziemeļu Balsis, and the Latvian congregation established in Tallinn.
From 9 April to 11 April 2019, President of Latvia Raimonds Vējonis pays a state visit to Estonia. First Lady of Latvia Iveta Vējone accompanies the President of Latvia on the state visit to Estonia. During his state visit to Estonia, the President of Latvia and First Lady of Latvia Iveta Vējone have an extensive program in Tallinn, Paide, and Tartu, covering the political, economic, educational, and cultural cooperation of the countries.
