Latvia Weekly

"Vējš" is the word of the week as wind causes trouble all throughout Latvia, including for the crew of a ferry blown into Ventspils port's promenade. Otto and Joe discuss this along with potential plans for an LNG terminal in Latvia, signs from the national government that large 9th of May gatherings could be banned, pre-election political intrigue in the governing coalition, and much more!

Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission

Closing theme song: Think Tank by Audionautix audionautix.com​ Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/_think-tank​ Music promoted by Audio Library youtu.be/mbV9t1Z0rA8

"Uzvarēt" (to win) is the word of the week, as the controversial 9th of May "Victory Day" celebration of Soviet victory over Nazi Germany has come into question after statements from the newly politically independent Mayor of Rīga Martiņš Staķis as well as State Police Chief Armands Ruks. Otto joins Joe back in person to discuss the possible implications, as well the latest developments in Latvia's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and other important stories.

Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission

Closing theme song: Think Tank by Audionautix audionautix.com​ Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/_think-tank​ Music promoted by Audio Library youtu.be/mbV9t1Z0rA8

Joe sits down with fellow English language Latvia-based podcaster Fabrizio Marciante to discuss the challenges of interviewing, national identity in an increasingly global world, and life in Lativa. You can find the Kūla podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR85s1UcKcGFginjLz_-v5w

Opening and closing music: courtesy of Ausma Apsīte

"Uzņēmt" is the word of the week as Latvia takes in thousands of refugees fleeing the horrors of war in Ukraine. Otto calls into Joe from Vilnius to discuss the process of providing refugees with shelter, measures to ensure safety in the Baltics, the continuing fallout from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and more!

Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission

Closing theme song: Think Tank by Audionautix audionautix.com​ Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/_think-tank​ Music promoted by Audio Library youtu.be/mbV9t1Z0rA8

Sveicam Svētā Patrika dienā! For this year's special St. Patrick's Day episode, Joe sits down with Ms Eimear Friel, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ireland to Latvia, to discuss the meaning of St. Patrick's Day, how people can celebrate it across the world, some interesting connections between Latvia and Ireland, and much more!

Opening and closing music: GalwaySession1 by Gaillimhcommon, via Wikimedia Commons. Used under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:GalwaySession1.ogg

"Saistības" is the Latvian word of the week as NATO allies reaffirm their commitments to collective security as well as their commitment to providing supplies to the Ukrainian army. Otto and Joe discuss the flurry of diplomatic visits in Latvia as well as the continuing fallout from Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as well as a few other local stories.

Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission

Closing theme song: Think Tank by Audionautix audionautix.com​ Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/_think-tank​ Music promoted by Audio Library youtu.be/mbV9t1Z0rA8

"The Eastern Border" podcast host Kristaps Andrejsons once again is back on the show, this time calling in from the border of Ukraine and Poland where he has been spending the last few days reporting on the situation for Latvian media and working together with Latvian relief workers providing aid for the countless refugees seeking safety. Kristaps tells about the situation he's been seeing on the ground, as well as the ways that Latvians can continue helping the people of Ukraine.

You can check out The Eastern Border Podcast here: http://theeasternborder.lv/

Opening and closing music: courtesy of Ausma Apsīte

As the shocking invasion of Ukraine by Russia continues, Otto and Joe break down Latvia's support measures for Ukraine, reactions against supporters of the Russian regime, and measures to defend the Baltic states from further aggression.

Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission

Closing theme song: Think Tank by Audionautix audionautix.com​ Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/_think-tank​ Music promoted by Audio Library youtu.be/mbV9t1Z0rA8

Otto and Joe discuss the shocking actions taken by Russia in launching a seemingly full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the response by Latvia and the rest of the western world. They also call expat lawyer Rick Jacobus to discuss ways that Ukrainian refugees can seek safe haven in Latvia before discussing a few other important stories from the last week here in Latvia.

Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission

Closing theme song: Think Tank by Audionautix audionautix.com​ Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/_think-tank​ Music promoted by Audio Library youtu.be/mbV9t1Z0rA8

While the world holds its breath as the situation in Ukraine unfolds, Otto and Joe discuss the latest developments as well as other important stories closer to Latvia such as more school closures, a new Eurovision challenger, relaxation of COVID restrictions, and much more! Joe then calls into expat lawyer Rick Jacobus to discuss red flags to look out for when reading through job postings, as well as why employers shouldn't ask for "native speakers".

Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission

Closing theme song: Think Tank by Audionautix audionautix.com​ Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/_think-tank​ Music promoted by Audio Library youtu.be/mbV9t1Z0rA8

"Better Call Rick" theme: Lava Spout by Blue Wave Theory, used with a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International license freemusicarchive.org/music/Surf_Mus…ue_Wave_Theory