One of LatWest's first major events — the Days of Latgale in the Connacht region, which brought together Latvians from across the west of Ireland. For four days, Claremorris became the embassy of Latgale in Ireland.
Months of preparation preceded LatWest's largest event — planning meetings with ILCC and the Latvian Embassy, Amber Show broadcasts on Claremorris Community Radio, and the signing of a cooperation agreement with the Kuldīga Technology and Tourism College. From Latvia came the Kokļu Zapte zither ensemble and the Rudzupuķe folk dance company, as well as Rūjiena Dairy with Latgalian products. The event drew participants from Dublin, Limerick, Sligo, Galway, the UK and Latvia.
Before the Claremorris celebrations, the Latvian delegation — comprising municipal leaders, educational institutions and business representatives — arrived in Dublin. A meeting with Ambassador Gints Apals, Ph.D. at the Latvian Embassy. At Liberty Hall, Dublin — a visit to Ireland's largest trade union body, SIPTU: meetings with Ethel Buckley (organising officer), Everlina Saduikyte and Sintija Sheeran; discussions on labour rights protection, discrimination, housing and language barriers faced by Latvian workers in Ireland. A visit to Dublin Institute of Technology — Daugavpils University presented opportunities for collaboration. Business and export possibilities between the two countries were also discussed.
Claremorris becomes the embassy of Latgale in Ireland. The Latvian delegation included: Member of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia Juris Vilums; Ambassador Gints Apals, Ph.D.; Latvian Institute director Aiva Rozenberga; ILCC chairperson Ilze Kreslina; municipal council chairs — Inara Silicka (Kārsava), Andris Vaivods (Līvāni), Maruta Plivda (Preiļi), Sandra Viskure (Dagda), Peteris Rozinskis (Riebiņi); Kuldīga Technology and Tourism College; Daugavpils University rector Arvids Barsevskis; Rūjiena Dairy; and SIA "Olūts" (Bronislavs Plivda).
9 September. Clare Lake Park — planting of a Friendship Oak together with Ambassador Gints Apals, Ph.D., Mayo representative Richard Finn, ILCC chairperson Ilze Kreslina, Kokļu Zapte from the UK, Dominante, and LELAB chairperson Daiga Ezermale. In the evening at Dalton Inn Hotel — actresses Olga Drege and Lidija Pupure in discussion "Here and There" on the diaspora experience.
10 September. 11:00 — opening of the Latvian crafts exhibition on Varde's Alley. 12:00 — ceremonial procession along Claremorris' main street to Clare Lake McMahon Park; wreath-laying at the monument to Ireland's 1916 independence fighters. 13:00 — singing and folk games in the town square. 18:00 — concert "Song Unites" at Balla Community Centre: Dominante with choir eLVē (conductor Inguna Grietina), dance group Karbunkulis (conductor Solveiga Slaidina), dance group Nemiers (conductor Aiga Kunicka), Kokļu Zapte from the UK (conductor Aivis Kreslins), Zane Kazotniece with family; Noel Lyons performed Raimonds Pauls' "Feed The Flame." 21:00 — dance evening with the band "Baltie lāči" from Latgale.
11 September. The delegation toured Westport and Achill. At the close, the travelling "Regional Days in Ireland" symbol was handed on — the next event to be "Days of Zemgale in Ireland 2017." Latvians came from across Ireland and the UK.
Photo: Skarleta Lyons
