European Day of Languages 2014 in Latvia
Already for the tenth year, the Latvian Language Agency together with collaborators invites all Latvian inhabitants to participate in the events dedicated to the European Day of Languages. This year’s events take place from 22 September until 18 November.
22−23 September 2014: Estonian and Latvian poetry ride to Latvian schools
The celebration of the European Day of Language 2014 in Latvia starts with the visit of the Latvian poet and translator Guntars Godiņš and two Estonian poets, Contra and Kivisildnik, to the schools of Taurupe, Barkava, Feimaņi and Makašāni.
23 September 2014: Language workshop at the Francophone film club
The participants will put together the programme of the Francophone film club.
Time and place: 6.00 PM at Darbavieta, Blaumaņa Str. 34, Riga.
24 September 2014: Multilingual song evening
The participants of this event have a memorable opportunity to sing songs in 24 different languages spoken in Europe. The event is hosted by Snorre Karkonen-Svenson. During the event, the art exhibition ORD of Aleksejs Koškins is opened.
Time and place: 6.00 PM at The Nordic Language Centre Nordisk, Skolas Str. 21, room 209, Riga.
25 September 2014: European poetry evening
At the European poetry evening Latvian poets Uldis Bērziņš, Jānis Elsbergs and Kārlis Vērdiņš read their poetry translations from different European languages.
Time and place: 5.00 PM at EU-House, Aspazijas Blvd. 28, Riga.
26 September 2014: Conference Language in Translation
At the conference Andrejs Veisbergs, Ilze Rūmniece, Uldis Bērziņš, Jānis Oga, Mudīte Treimane, Anita Rožkalne and Māris Salējs give insights into current issues of translation. Translators Valdis Bisenieks, Dace Meiere, Pēteris Jankavs, Guntars Godiņš, Silvija Brice and Knuts Skujenieks participate in the public group discussion.
Time and place: 10.00 AM at Latvian Writer’s Union, Lāčplēša Str. 48/50−12, Riga.
26 September 2014: Language workshops
During the language workshops everyone has an opportunity to gain insight into Spanish, Italian, French, Norwegian, Swedish, Flemish, Croatian and Latvian sign language.
Time and place: 11.00 AM at the EU-house, Aspazijas Blvd. 28, Riga.
26 September 2014: Albrecht Plewnia’s lecture German − the Language of Science?
The public lecture is organized by the Baltic-German University Liaison Office.
Time and place: 5.30 PM at the Main Building of the University of Latvia, Raiņa Blvd. 19, auditorium 2, Riga.
26 September 2014: Screening of The origins of language
Time and place: 6 PM at the French Institute in Latvia, Elizabetes Str. 59, Riga.
30 September 2014: Board games in French, English and Latvian (for adults)
Time and place: 6.00 PM at AntiCafe, Blaumaņa Str. 7, Rīga.
1 October 2014: Open lesson for pupils Language in the World of Translation
The open lesson explains to pupils why language skills are useful. The lesson is given by Ieva Zauberga, head of Latvian interpretation at the European Commission, and Maija Burima, professor at the Faculty of Humanities of Daugavpils University.
Time and place: 1 October, 10.00 AM at Liepupe Secondary School, 1 October, 1.00 PM at Ainaži Primary School named after Krišjānis Valdemārs, 2 October, 10.00 AM at Mazsalaca Secondary School, 1.30 PM at Valka Gymnasium.
1 October 2014: Norwegian, Swedish, Danish and Finnish lessons
Everyone who is interested in learning a new language and getting acquainted with Nordic languages and cultures is welcome to participate in the Norwegian, Swedish, Danish and Finnish language lessons.
Time and place: 6.00 PM at The Nordic Language Centre Nordisk, Skolas Str. 21, room 209, Riga.
2 October 2014 Seminar on etiquette in different cultures To shake hands or to hug?
The seminar hosted by Aiga Veckalne from the language learning centre Skrivanek Baltic provides an overview of etiquettes in different cultures.
Time and place: 6.00 PM at the Architecture and Media Centre H2O6, Ūdens Str. 6, room 206, Riga.
3−4 October 2014 II Baltic Student Conference Bridges in the Baltics
The student conference brings together approximately 50 students from eight countries who are interested in Estonian, Latvian and/or Lithuanian languages and cultures. The aim of this conference is to bring together students from different countries who are engaged in the Baltic studies to give them a possibility to meet, present their academic work, learn from each other and make new contacts.
Time and place: 9.30 AM at the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Latvia, Visvalža Str. 4a, Riga.
4 October 2014 Farewell reception and language party at the Folk club Ala
At the end of the student conference, a farewell reception with language games is held, hosted by the improviser Jānis Rozenvalds.
Time and place: 5.00 PM at Folk club Ala, Peldu Str. 19, Riga.
In addition, a creative writing competition is held for Latvian pupils living in Latvia and abroad. The competition takes place from 26 September until 18 November. Best works are published in a book by the Latvian Language Agency.
The Latvian Language Agency collaborates with the following institutions and organisations to organize the events of the European Day of Languages 2014: European Commission Representation in Latvia, Ministry of Education and Science in Latvia, Skrivanek Baltic, The Nordic Language Centre Nordisk, delfi.lv, Spanish Cultural Centre Seneka, Valodu darbnīca, Embassy of Canada to Latvia, Architecture and Media Centre H2O6, Baltic-German University Liaison Office, University of Latvia, Darbavieta, AntiCafe, French Institute in Latvia.
