latviski
Our Latvia album, p. 4
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Ņujorkas latviešu korisNew York Latvian Choir
Andrejs Jansons conducts the orchestra during rehearsal
Andrejs Jansons conducts the orchestra during rehearsal
We take a break, lots of preparation, not a lot of time
We take a break, lots of preparation, not a lot of time
There are few spaces as grand as the Rīgas Latviešu Biedriba (Rīga Latvian Society) hall
There are few spaces as grand as the Rīgas Latviešu Biedriba (Rīga Latvian Society) hall
The original program from the 1982 performance of Kalniņš BAŅUTA at Carnegie Hall in New York City
The original program from the 1982 performance of Kalniņš BAŅUTA at Carnegie Hall in New York City
Our intrepid band of singers gathers for the first warm-up and review of our concert materials. Here, members of the New York Latvian Concert Choir and Latvian youth choir Balsis.
First choir rehearsal
The orchestra prepares for our one and only final dress rehearsal.
We prepare for rehearsal
Our honeymoon
keeping up Arturs' mother's grave in Aluksne's cemetary
keeping up Arturs' mother's grave in Aluksne's cemetary
Silvija's dad and cousin in conversation at Alus Seta in Vecrīga
Silvija's dad and cousin in conversation at Alus Seta in Vecrīga
Silvija's dad and (nearly family) Iveta at Alus Seta in Vecrīga
Silvija's dad and (nearly family) Iveta at Alus Seta in Vecrīga
"Snaggletooth" at Alus Seta in Vecrīga
"Snaggletooth" at Alus Seta in Vecrīga
Silvija at Alus Sēta in Old Rīga, "Eat, Drink, and be Merry!"
Silvija at Alus Sēta in Old Rīga, "Eat, Drink, and be Merry!"
Something catches Silvija's attention at Alus Seta in Vecrīga
Something catches Silvija's attention at Alus Seta in Vecrīga
Laura, Gaida, Brigita and Silvija in Bolderaja
Laura, Gaida, Brigita and Silvija in Bolderaja
Dagni (Silvija's mom's childhood friend), Inara, Silvija, and Dagni's granddaughter in Kandava
Dagni (Silvija's mom's childhood friend), Inara, Silvija, and Dagni's granddaughter in Kandava
We stop at a restaurant in Koknese (guess who the designated driver is)
We stop at a restaurant in Koknese (guess who the designated driver is)
Silvija's dad with an old school friend in Koknese
Silvija's dad with an old school friend in Koknese
Inara, Silvija, and Peters on the brick bridge crossing the Venta in Kuldiga
Inara, Silvija, and Peters on the brick bridge crossing the Venta in Kuldiga
heading out to Mordanga with flowers to plant
heading out to Mordanga with flowers to plant
Dancing 'gator
Dancing 'gator
the cat checks out the birthday spread
the cat checks out the birthday spread
Furby fever
Furby fever
Petie the talking parrot
Petie the talking parrot
Blowing out the birthday candles
Blowing out the birthday candles
Vecaki, greeted by the big dog, friendly to family; current dog bites his own
Vecaki, greeted by the big dog, friendly to family; current dog bites his own
the kids at dinner in Vecaki
the kids at dinner in Vecaki
the kids, a bit coy, in the doorway at Vecaki
the kids, a bit coy, in the doorway at Vecaki
Anda being bashful
Anda being bashful
our soon to be casino "buddy" for the night talking with Silvija's dad
our soon to be casino "buddy" for the night talking with Silvija's dad
family, old friends, and new friends visiting
family, old friends, and new friends visiting
Princess Diana fervor extends to Latvia, as well
Princess Diana fervor extends to Latvia, as well
Silvija's dad enjoys her run of bad luck at gin
Silvija's dad enjoys her run of bad luck at gin
beautiful flowers from Gaida await us
beautiful flowers from Gaida await us
Silvija, Kristine, and Peters
Silvija, Kristine, and Peters
Pērle
Pērļu Dzirnavas
Peters' grandfather's first watermill around the turn of the century. Peters' grandparents moved from the windmill in Lizums to Pērļu Dzirnavas, a water-mill, just down the road from Druviena, also in Vidzeme. When we visited, it had just been reclaimed by the daughter of the owner to whom Peters' grandfather had sold the mill before moving to Kurzeme. Peters' mother and aunt Laura were born here.
Peters' grandfather's first watermill around the turn of the century. Peters' grandparents moved from the windmill in Lizums to Pērļu Dzirnavas, a water-mill, just down the road from Druviena, also in Vidzeme. When we visited, it had just been reclaimed by the daughter of the owner to whom Peters' grandfather had sold the mill before moving to Kurzeme. Peters' mother and aunt Laura were born here.
Pērļu Dzirnavas
Peters' grandfather's first watermill circa 1900
Peters' grandfather's first watermill circa 1900
Pērļu Dzirnavas
Another view of the front of the mill from further down the road.
Another view of the front of the mill from further down the road.
Pērļu Dzirnavas
Another view of the front of the mill from further down the road.
Another view of the front of the mill from further down the road.
Raiņa kapiRainis Cemetery
Soviets invade and culturally appropriate Latvian icon Rainis in 1940
Soviets invade and culturally appropriate Latvian icon Rainis in 1940
Rainis memorial
If Latvia had a poet-playwright laureate it would be Rainis, pen name of Jānis Pliekšāns. Ironically, he was also a darling of the Communists—his sister Dora married prominent Latvian Communist Pēteris Stučka.
If Latvia had a poet-playwright laureate it would be Rainis, pen name of Jānis Pliekšāns. Ironically, he was also a darling of the Communists—his sister Dora married prominent Latvian Communist Pēteris Stučka.
Rainis memorial
Gravesite monument to poet-playwright Rainis
Gravesite monument to poet-playwright Rainis
Soviet Generals
Dead and still, now eternally, occupying Latvia, row upon row of retired senior Soviet military lined up in rows leading up to the Rainis memorial in Rainis Cemetery.
Dead and still, now eternally, occupying Latvia, row upon row of retired senior Soviet military lined up in rows leading up to the Rainis memorial in Rainis Cemetery.
Soviet Generals
Dead and still occupying Latvia
Dead and still occupying Latvia
At the rear end of Raiņa kapi (Rainis Cemetery), across the street from Brāļu kapi
At the rear end of Raiņa kapi (Rainis Cemetery), across the street from Brāļu kapi
Lieutenant-Colonel МАЧАХИН, forever a Red Army occupant, greets me
Lieutenant-Colonel МАЧАХИН, forever a Red Army occupant, greets me
A clearly Soviet era competing to be more grandiose memorial complex looms nearby, the "Field of Leadership", erected in the 1960's for burial of the Soviet government's and party leadership's finest. In subsequent years, qualifications for burial were expanded to include regime apparatchiks.
A clearly Soviet era competing to be more grandiose memorial complex looms nearby, the "Field of Leadership", erected in the 1960's for burial of the Soviet government's and party leadership's finest. In subsequent years, qualifications for burial were expanded to include regime apparatchiks.
The flying avenging sword brandishing figure is reminiscent of "monuments to the soldiers-liberators" scattered across the former Soviet Union and puppet territories
The flying avenging sword brandishing figure is reminiscent of "monuments to the soldiers-liberators" scattered across the former Soviet Union and puppet territories
Figures along the wall, part of the "Field of Leadership" complex
Figures along the wall, part of the "Field of Leadership" complex
"Field of Leadership" headstone of apparatchik, head of the Administrative State-Legal Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Latvian SSR from 1960-63, Philip Philipovich Sokurenko
"Field of Leadership" headstone of apparatchik, head of the Administrative State-Legal Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Latvian SSR from 1960-63, Philip Philipovich Sokurenko
Russian ostentation even in death
Russian ostentation even in death
Perhaps some kind soul will decipher Cyrillic script for me, curious
Perhaps some kind soul will decipher Cyrillic script for me, curious
Monument commemorating hero warrior bombers-killers Imants Sudmalis and Džems Bankovičs et al.
Monument commemorating hero warrior bombers-killers Imants Sudmalis and Džems Bankovičs et al.
My first view of the Rainis collonade
My first view of the Rainis collonade
Dead and buried Red Army encircle Rainis' memorial
Dead and buried Red Army encircle Rainis' memorial
Even in death some rank above others, going by headstone height
Even in death some rank above others, going by headstone height
Who ranks above the rest? Facing Rainis' monument from the left, SOVIET GUARDS MAJOR-GENERAL
EVGENII GRIGOREVICH USHAKOV (JANUARY 21, 1901 – OCTOBER 13, 1952)
ETERNAL MEMORY DEARLY BELOVED
FATHER, HUSBAND, BROTHER, FRIEND.
Who ranks above the rest? Facing Rainis' monument from the left, SOVIET GUARDS MAJOR-GENERAL
EVGENII GRIGOREVICH USHAKOV (JANUARY 21, 1901 – OCTOBER 13, 1952)
ETERNAL MEMORY DEARLY BELOVED
FATHER, HUSBAND, BROTHER, FRIEND.
Little could I imagine that a mere 5 years later, in 2009, Nils Ušakovs, the grandson of this Red Army invader-occupier picked out only by the size of his headstone, would be elected mayor of Rīga, Latvia's capital city, to eventually serve as mayor for an entire decade — and who refused to condemn Russia's invasion and annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Little could I imagine that a mere 5 years later, in 2009, Nils Ušakovs, the grandson of this Red Army invader-occupier picked out only by the size of his headstone, would be elected mayor of Rīga, Latvia's capital city, to eventually serve as mayor for an entire decade — and who refused to condemn Russia's invasion and annexation of Crimea in 2014.
A view of Rainis' memorial
A view of Rainis' memorial
A view of Rainis' memorial
A view of Rainis' memorial
A view of Rainis' memorial, "Genius Awakening"
A view of Rainis' memorial, "Genius Awakening"
The lawn- and tree-lined promenade leading from the cemetery entrance to Rainis' memorial.
The lawn- and tree-lined promenade leading from the cemetery entrance to Rainis' memorial.
Latvians do not view/avoid cemeteries as some sort of morbid fields of the dead as in America. At the cemetery entrance, a guide and map to the final resting places of notables. RAKSTNIEKI UN DZEJNIEKI are authors and poets.
Latvians do not view/avoid cemeteries as some sort of morbid fields of the dead as in America. At the cemetery entrance, a guide and map to the final resting places of notables. RAKSTNIEKI UN DZEJNIEKI are authors and poets.
SKATUVES MĀKSLINIEKI are artists of the stage—actors
SKATUVES MĀKSLINIEKI are artists of the stage—actors
MĀKSLINIEKI UN ARHITEKTI are artists and architects
MĀKSLINIEKI UN ARHITEKTI are artists and architects
CITI IEVĒROJĀMI MĀKSLAS PIEMINEKĻI are other notable artistic monuments to families, individuals, and to practitioners of the ancient pagan religion, Dievturi, killed by the Soviets
CITI IEVĒROJĀMI MĀKSLAS PIEMINEKĻI are other notable artistic monuments to families, individuals, and to practitioners of the ancient pagan religion, Dievturi, killed by the Soviets
SABIEDRISKIE UN KULTŪRAS DARBINIEKI are societal annd cultural activists ("workers in society and culture"), MUZĪĶI are musicians
SABIEDRISKIE UN KULTŪRAS DARBINIEKI are societal annd cultural activists ("workers in society and culture"), MUZĪĶI are musicians
ZINĀTNES DARBINIEKI are teachers and scholars ("workers in knowledge")
ZINĀTNES DARBINIEKI are teachers and scholars ("workers in knowledge")
Closeup from the cemetery map
Closeup from the cemetery map
On a dank day, only the groundskeeper is to be seen as we look down the promenade to Rainis' memorial
On a dank day, only the groundskeeper is to be seen as we look down the promenade to Rainis' memorial
My wandering done, I head out to the street, directly across from the Brethren Cemetery entrance
My wandering done, I head out to the street, directly across from the Brethren Cemetery entrance
Raiņa kapi entrance facade
Raiņa kapi entrance facade
Ample opportunity for cemetery visitors to buy flowers as they come up the street from the tram stop
Ample opportunity for cemetery visitors to buy flowers as they come up the street from the tram stop
Bolshevik invaders, apparatchiks, and Latvian traitors gather at Rainis’ grave in 1940 to launch their program of cultural appropriation.
Bolshevik invaders, apparatchiks, and Latvian traitors gather at Rainis’ grave in 1940 to launch their program of cultural appropriation.
Rīgas Brāļu kapiRīga Brethren Cemetery
Entrance to Brāļu Kapi, Brethren Cemetery
Entrance to Brāļu Kapi, Brethren Cemetery
Mother Latvia overlooks her fallen heroes
Mother Latvia overlooks her fallen heroes
Brāļu Kapi, fallen heroes lie in peaceful eternal sleep
Brāļu Kapi, fallen heroes lie in peaceful eternal sleep
The tram stop sign says "Brāļu kapi," but it's a hike to actually get to the cemetery
The tram stop sign says "Brāļu kapi," but it's a hike to actually get to the cemetery
Brāļu kapi entrance
Brāļu kapi entrance
Brāļu kapi entrance
Brāļu kapi entrance
Brāļu kapi entrance, flanked by horsemen on the right
Brāļu kapi entrance, flanked by horsemen on the right
Brāļu kapi entrance, flanked by horsemen on the left
Brāļu kapi entrance, flanked by horsemen on the left
Horsemen on the right, detail
Horsemen on the right, detail
Horsemen on the left, detail
Horsemen on the left, detail
The main alleyway, lined with linden trees
The main alleyway, lined with linden trees
Eternal flame
Eternal flame
Mother Latvia (at back) overlooking her fallen sons
Mother Latvia (at back) overlooking her fallen sons
Going by the memorial plaque "Peters" was not always a misspelling
Going by the memorial plaque "Peters" was not always a misspelling
A fallen horseman
A fallen horseman
The fallen horseman overlooks his fallen brothers
The fallen horseman overlooks his fallen brothers
Brāļu kapi, hawk in bas relief
Brāļu kapi, hawk in bas relief
A fallen son at the feet of Mother Latvia
A fallen son at the feet of Mother Latvia
A fallen son of Latvia under his shield
A fallen son of Latvia under his shield
Mother Latvia
Mother Latvia
Fallen son, close-up
Fallen son, close-up
Sleeping brothers in eternal rest
Sleeping brothers in eternal rest
Sleeping brothers, closeup
Sleeping brothers, closeup
Kārlis Zāle laid to rest in his creation
Kārlis Zāle laid to rest in his creation
A last closeup of the sleeping brothers, my favorite photo of them
A last closeup of the sleeping brothers, my favorite photo of them
Flanking fallen horseman
Flanking fallen horseman
The small semi-circular park at the rear of the Mother Latvia monument
The small semi-circular park at the rear of the Mother Latvia monument
Brāļu kapi, guardians at the side gate along Varoņu iela (Street of Heroes)
Brāļu kapi, guardians at the side gate along Varoņu iela (Street of Heroes)
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