Latvia Weekly

What was feared to be a COVID-19 spike here in Latvia seems to have been more of a bump or a blip, with reported daily cases back down to the low single digits after a worrisome few days of double digit positive cases. Otto and Joe discuss the ongoing situation and its effects on the economy and society, as well as a wide range of other stories including a potential year-round toll for visitors of Jūrmala, radars to trap drivers blowing red lights, a steep discount for people looking to buy a German manor, the first female colonel in Latvian history, and someone in a whole lot of trouble for illegally felling oak trees.

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

Weather theme:

Smooth Jazz (am) by Backing Track Ninja

Source: https://backingtrackninja.bandcamp.com/track/smooth-jazz-am

Join Otto and Joe as they discuss the potential implications of a planned merger between Latvia's smaller universities in Jelgava, Daugavpils, and Liepāja, as well as other important stories from throughout the week. Please remember to stay safe as you go swimming this summer!

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

Weather theme:

Smooth Jazz (am) by Backing Track Ninja

Source: https://backingtrackninja.bandcamp.com/track/smooth-jazz-am

With vacationing on the mind of many, Otto and Joe offer seven great places to visit here in Latvia this summer before discussing seasonal stories such as heat records, poisonous snakes, ferry travel, and much more!

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

Weather theme:

Smooth Jazz (am) by Backing Track Ninja

Source: https://backingtrackninja.bandcamp.com/track/smooth-jazz-am

Joe is back with Otto just in time for the midsummer festival of Līgo/Jāņi and to discuss the dangers of traveling within and outside of Rīga, with more sinkholes opening throughout the city and the yearly risk of intoxicated drivers. They also argue about the future of a planned acoustic concert hall and talk through other important stories from the week such as a somewhat surprising increase to doctors' and teachers' salaries, a very suspicious shooting range, and a brand new prosecutor general.

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

Weather theme:

Smooth Jazz (am) by Backing Track Ninja

Source: https://backingtrackninja.bandcamp.com/track/smooth-jazz-am

After years of discussion, the map has officially been redrawn with 41 municipalities. Otto, Olevs, and Kārlis discuss the implications of this decision as well as the lifting of the emergency situation and other important items of news from the week.

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

As Latvia warms up for the summer, so does the push towards municipal and tax reforms. Kārlis, Olevs, and Otto discuss these issues along with protests in Rīga, more public transit issues, the latests news on upcoming city council elections, and the slow reopening of the country and loosening of COVID-19 restrictions.

With Joe still on paternity leave following the birth of his new daughter, Otto and Kārlis discuss the planned end to Latvia's state of emergency in early June and other major news stories from the last two weeks.

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

Weather theme:

Smooth Jazz (am) by Backing Track Ninja

Source: https://backingtrackninja.bandcamp.com/track/smooth-jazz-am

With Joe still on paternity leave following the birth of his new daughter, Otto and Kārlis discuss the planned end to Latvia's state of emergency in early June and other major news stories from the last two weeks.

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

Weather theme:

Smooth Jazz (am) by Backing Track Ninja

Source: https://backingtrackninja.bandcamp.com/track/smooth-jazz-am

Joe sits down with his fellow American-born colleagues Daira, Monika, Lauren, and Ingrida, who also taught English lessons as part of the Tava Klase educational TV channel during the COVID-19 crisis. They discuss their journeys from being born in the USA to ending up on Latvian national television, as well as their experiences initially adapting to life in Latvia.

Opening music by Austra Apsīte

Spring 2020 takes a turn for the even more surreal, with snow blanketing much of Latvia in mid-May. Otto and Kārlis discuss the "sniegs" along with major news about regional reform, the upcoming election, and the ongoing COVID-19 situation.

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

Weather theme:

Smooth Jazz (am) by Backing Track Ninja

Source: backingtrackninja.bandcamp.com/track/smo…h-jazz-am

For our 100th uploaded episode, we are joined by Roland Abou Younes, the founder of the popular "Expats in Latvia" Facebook group where Latvia Weekly first began. Roland discusses the ups and downs of moving to Latvia, his philosophy on how to integrate into a new culture, advice for those thinking of coming to live here as well, and much more!

Note — Joe apologizes for his low microphone quality at points, as his settings got messed up just before the episode began.

Opening theme by Austra Apsīte