Madam Speaker of the Saeima!
Honourable members of the Chapter of Orders!
Dear guests and viewers of Latvian Television!
Distinguished recipients of the highest state awards!
I am truly delighted to meet you all here today at Riga Castle and to congratulate on the 36th anniversary of the restoration of the independence of the Republic of Latvia!
It is so good to see your smiles! It is so good to see your well-deserved joy and pride, and your pleasant excitement. There is, however, no cause for worry, for today will bring only good things: recognition, the presentation and receipt of Latvia’s highest state awards.
Today we celebrate a great occasion. Thirty-six years ago, a momentous choice was made, followed by great effort. The choice to be free and to build our own state. Therefore, today, with great pride, we express our gratitude to those whose work has been outstanding and who are receiving the highest honours of our country – the Order of the Three Stars, the Order of Viesturs, and the Cross of Recognition.
Dear recipients of the awards!
Today, here at Riga Castle, you have come from Vidzeme, Zemgale, Kurzeme, Sēlija, and Latgale. We see how rich our Latvia is. And with us are also our trusted friends from abroad.
Each of you, through your work and service, has demonstrated your love for our country and our land. Only you yourselves know how many thorns there have been on your path to the stars. You have never been afraid to do more than was asked of you, and you have done so with distinction.
I assume that some of you may not even recall exactly how you came to choose the path you have taken. Yet the fact that you are here today shows that you have accomplished a great deal, and that your achievements have been important to many people. Because of your choices, determination, courage, and hard work, Latvia is a better place. Your dreams make Latvia even better, and your work carries Latvia’s name into the world.
The highest state honours embody pride, admiration, joy, and gratitude for the time you have devoted, for your selflessness, perseverance, tenacity, and resilience. You do what you do because you simply cannot do otherwise. Learning about your achievements, one comes to understand that Latvia is not a small country. If it is home to so many outstanding individuals who think about how to serve their country, then Latvia is a great and powerful nation.
On behalf of myself, the Chapter of Orders, and the entire nation, I thank each and every one of you!
Today, I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to those who have nominated their colleagues, friends, partners, neighbours, and fellow citizens for state awards. Thank you for giving us, on the anniversary of the restoration of independence, the opportunity to take pride in and admire all these remarkable individuals.
Ladies and gentlemen!
Great achievements are only possible with a strong team, with like-minded people and companions along the way. Therefore, my thanks go to them all, to those who have helped to see opportunities and to bring plans to fruition, from idea to result. And my gratitude also goes to the families and loved ones of the recipients of state honours! It is perfectly clear that without their encouragement, at times their criticism, or simply their advice and presence in difficult moments, progress would not have been possible.
Together, we have come a long way. The journey has been, and continues to be, full of challenges. The times we are living in are anxious and turbulent. Yet we have shown that by extending a hand to one another and by recognising that we stand together, we are able to keep our shared home – our Latvian state – free and secure.
I wish everyone the chance to pause, to rest, and then to move forward calmly but with confidence! But today, on this national day of celebration, let us take joy in what we have achieved!
My people of honour and integrity, let us remain strong and continue to strive. Through hardship, we shall all reach the stars! A heartfelt thank you to each of you!
Long live Latvia!
