Honourable Madam Speaker, esteemed Madam Prime Minister, honourable Madam President of the Constitutional Court, honourable state presidents, members of the 4 May Declaration Club, ladies and gentlemen,
Zemgale plain. The French Group. Palaces and manors. Heraldry. Paintings. Quest for lost beauty that needs to be restored. Charms of Dorothea. Passion. Intellect. Lightness and avantgarde. These are the words that come to mind when trying to describe the winner of this year’s Statehood Award. And we all know him all too well. Mr Imants Lancmanis.
Each year we are presenting the Statehood Award to an individual has been capable of bringing people together and maintaining their focus on the goal ahead. The goal that may seem slightly unreal at first, or even beyond imaginable. But this year’s winner is quite the contrary. He has managed to find and consolidate people around a slightly wild and, frankly speaking, even seemingly impossible goal for many at the time.
Mr Lancmanis has always been able to see big picture. And even beyond. Able to rise beyond. He sees the patterns. He has been able to uncover precious heritage that has often been underappreciated here in Latvia. Nuggets of heritage of European and global value. Timeless gems. His life and professional aspirations, and dare I say, destiny have in a way been strongly intertwined with fate of two such gems that are important for Latvia and our state – Rundāle Palace and Riga Castle.
I am looking forward to deeply detailed story of the first one, the Rundāle Palace journey today from Mr Lancmanis. But to win the Statehood Award today, Mr Lancmanis has also worked as hard and conscientious on the other significant building, the Riga Castle too, restoring its status as the symbol of Latvian statehood. Each room of the Riga Castle, every painting and interior item that we see here, have been chosen with lots of diligence on the part of Mr Lancmanis who arranged them and fitted them with utmost care. I want to thank Mr Lancmanis from the bottom of my heart for what he has done with the Riga Castle, and also the ability to see the historic significance, while taking care of the modern comforts. Thank you very much!
Ladies and gentlemen,
Mr Lancmanis was capable of capturing the true essence of the almost ruined Rundāle Palace despite the gloom of the Soviet reality of Latvia in early 1960s. He saw the palace for what it is. Luscious and cozy European architectural marvel, admired by people near and far. A palace for extravagant balls, mesmerising musical performances and a perfect backdrop for a screenplay. The Rundāle Palace and its gardens filled with powerful fragrance of flowers. Back then, common people from the local countryside considered the arrival of a bunch of artists and a restoration team as the invasion of crazy townsfolk. That’s how most city dwellers are viewed around the countryside. They thought that these townspeople will soon go back to their Riga. But they could not have been further from the truth.
Imants Lancmanis had firmly decided to bring Rundāle Palace back to its former glory. He was, however, very aware of the improbability of such task. But it had never stopped him. Even as a small child, he was more interested in arts and culture. More than any of his peers. He was strongly inspired by Art Academy’s “French Group”. Bruno Vasiļevskis, Maija Tabaka, Jānis Krievs, Juris Pudāns and, of course, Ievai Šmite who later became his wife, colleague, trusted shoulder and confidant. Members of the French Group drew inspiration from each other’s kindness and beauty of heart. And they were bound by the desire to pursue the beauty.
Dear Mr Lancmanis,
You have said that you are allergic to recollection. We are not. We will never forget that we have Riga Castle and Rundāle Palace because of your conviction. Your ability to find and connect wise and passionate souls. Your enormous love of beauty.
You have that shine, and also the patience. But you let your shine also illuminate others. It glows through your life partner. Your wife Ieva Lancmane. And, later on, through your sister Lauma Lancmane after she joined the Rundāle Palace thought and will centre. One by one, issues started to work out. Every challenge had its person. And I do not think that right people found their way into the Rundāle Palace, at the perfect time, by chance. I am certain that it was you who saw the potential in them and were able to convince them to join this seemingly impossible journey.
This year the Statehood Award is actually presented to everyone who was in Rundāle Palace at the right time and in the right place. Staying when the going gets tough because quitting is not what they do. Legacy of Imants Lancmanis, however, is not limited to Riga Castle and Rundāle Palace. He has also left deep imprint on art history and heraldry. He has this special painter’s talent and thinker’s wit.
Mr Lancmanis,
You once said: “Castles and churches are not just structures. They are a spiritual reflection of all the beauty and wisdom. And Palaces are also the reflection of our dreams”.
May all of our dreams become real castles. Just like Imants Lancmanis did. Let us learn from him.
Thank you for everything you have done!
