Welcome to the Riga Castle!
Dear friends!
Dear parents and children!
It is a great pleasure for me to welcome you to the residence of the President of Latvia from Cīrava, Liepāja, Saldus, Vārme, Valka, Alūksne, Tirza, Gaujiena, Ilūkste, Balvi, Daugavpils, Kombuļi, Jaunjelgava, Tērvete, Jelgava, Ozolnieki, Baldone, Olaine, Rīga and from my native Jūrmala. You represent the whole of Latvia – big and small cities, big and small regions.
Thank you for bringing a feeling of cosiness to Riga Castle! A bit of joy, fun, cheerfulness and running around can do no harm here.
I suppose the road wasn't that easy. The snow is beautiful, but the weather is not favourable for driving, and the roads are not easy to pass. I'm also well aware that some of you had to free up an afternoon at work and school, some had to cancel practice or dancing or give up something else. So, thank you even more!
You are here because you, as strong families, are a role model for all of us in Latvia. You are great at showing how work, caring for children, and social activities can be combined. After reading the description of each of you, almost every one of them has a note: "A role model for your region, city, and fellow human beings".
I am glad that some of you have returned from abroad. You are back in Latvia. You have seen our country as a land of opportunity and you share your experience and love of your homeland with all of us. After all, nowhere is as good as in our own Latvia. Nowhere is as good as where you live.
I would like to wish you all a very Merry and creative Christmas and a Happy New Year! Thank you for being here! May this event be a great inspiration for all of us together! May we have Christmas and New Year as white as this day, and beautiful next year!
For information:
The most socially active and creative large families of Latvia, as well as families who have returned to Latvia after a long absence abroad, are invited to the traditional Christmas event at the suggestion of the municipalities administration. Families from Aizkraukle Municipality, Alūksne Municipality, Augšdaugava Municipality, South Kurzeme Municipality, Dobele Municipality, Gulbene Municipality, Krāslava Municipality, Kuldīga Municipality, Ķekava Municipality, Saldus Municipality, Smiltene Municipality, Valka Municipality, Balvi, Daugavpils, Jelgava, Jūrmala, Liepāja, Olaine and Rīga gather at the Riga Castle.
