Latvia Weekly

Spring is back with all its traditions, including the dangerous burning of the previous year's grass throughout the country. Otto and Joe discuss this along with other important news updates from Latvia, including a new vaccine timetable, a sunnier economic forecast, another new political party, and much more!

Although Joe and Otto are unable to meet in person, they separately bring you takes on some of the biggest stories this week, such as the brief pause to use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, more pothole headaches, and the implications of US President Biden's words about his Russian counterpart.

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

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In honor of St. Patrick's Day, Joe talked with Lithuanian-born Ruta Kapustaite about her experience directing the Rīga-based Irish Dance Studio "Ceili Rue" and some insights into Irish, Lithuanian, and Latvian culture.

Intro music: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Aislinn/Aislinn/03_-_Aislinn_-_Morrissons_jig_-_Leslies_march

Morrisson's jig - Leslie's march by Aislinn is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives (aka Music Sharing) 3.0 International License.

Promises by the government of mass vaccinations by April look increasingly dubious after a series of major missteps by both private and public institutions that came to light during the week. Otto and Joe go on another socially distanced walk to discuss these stories and a number of others, including the buyout of another local brewery, a rejected proposal to legalize euthanasia, the entry of another low-cost chain store into the Latvian market, 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

otos/valstskanceleja/50932447422/

As Latvians watch in wonder as ice jams break up throughout the country's rivers, the government's vaccination actions come under heavy criticism by investigative journalists. Joe and Otto go on a socially distanced walk through Jelgava to discuss these stories and important happenings throughout Latvia this week, including the shutdown of a major international bakery in Riga, more corruption allegations in Ventspils and Ikšķile, a proposed zero tolerance alcohol driving policy, and much more!

Our revived weekly interview series kicks off with a chat between Joe and our "story of the day" editor Cian Guckian, who has lived between Ireland and Jelgava over the past few years. Cian talks about his experience working as a freelance journalist for the Baltic Times, as well as adapting to life in Latvia.

Opening music by Austra Apsīte

A dramatic, 15-year criminal process has resulted in a five-year prison sentence and massive property confiscations for oligarch Aivars Lembergs, but is this truly the end of the road for one of Latvia's most infamous political operators? Otto and Joe break down this court decision as well as other stories, including an increasingly worrying bird flu situation, more bumps on the road toward better cycling infrastructure in Rīga, an international basketball heartbreak, and the latest COVID-19 updates.

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

otos/valstskanceleja/50932447422/

Among other measure to fight the public health and economic effects of COVID-19, the Krišjānis Kariņš-led government has announced its support for a one-time 500 euro per child payment for families in Latvia. Otto and Joe discuss the implications along with other stories such as record low approval ratings for said government, a plan to vaccinate Latvia's seniors, a visit by Estonia's foreign minister, commemoration of the country's worst ever rail disaster, 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

As Latvia' s ministers attempt to lead by example and get vaccinated against COVID-19, Latvia' s poultry farmers have yet another deadly virus to worry about. Otto and Joe break down these stories and others on this week' s episode!

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

Image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/valstskanceleja/50932447422/

Credit: Valsts kanceleja

The online manavakcina.lv portal is up and running without much of a hitch, but the end of the pandemic is still over the horizon, with the state of emergency being extended until the 6th of April. Otto and Joe break down what this all means, along with some other important domestic and international stories throughout the week.

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

Closing theme song:

Think Tank by Audionautix http://audionautix.com​

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0

Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_think-tank​

Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/mbV9t1Z0rA8