oday, the 25th training group started classes of an integration course within the project “Support Activities for Persons Under International Protection III”. During the first meeting the class on Latvian traditions and national holidays was led by the lecturer of Society “Shelter “Safe House”” and the organiser of intercultural communication activities Ramona Liepiņa. Among the topics like Latvian state, history, principles of non-discrimination, apartment market, employment opportunities, education system, healthcare system, social security network and social support system in Latvia, another very important topic of the integration course is culture and traditions.
People coming to a foreign country and seeing foreign culture are observing with interest what is going on around them. The first thing they notice are local people and their daily life. Therefore, R.Liepiņa tells with pleasure not only about Latvian holiday traditions and their celebration, but also about small festive occasions like celebrations of name days, which is something new for newcomers and everyone wants to know, when his or her name day is or would be celebrated in Latvia. Many participants of the lectures wish to know more about national holidays and observable days. This lets them understand why a specific date in Latvia is a holiday and what the local community observes or celebrates. I tell about celebration of traditions in the old Latvian style and traditions adapted to contemporary life or specific religion. The lecture is also devoted to observable days in Latvia, holidays deeply rooted in society and even commemoration at cemetery holidays and candle evenings, which are characteristic to our culture.
R.Liepiņa admits that during her classes she always sticks to the events that can be observed in daily life and in society. For example, a newcomer may hear Latvian music with “Ligo, ligo!” in June in supermarkets in Riga and even hum the catchy sound without knowing its meaning. Such lectures help newcomers to have a grasp of what is happening and to remember what they have heard or discussed, because then music sounds with “Ligo” will mean something, remind of the approaching summer solstice and celebration of the Latvian holiday. Then hundreds of candles in the evening on the Lacplesis Day will not be a surprise, but the person will be able to become part of the commemoration event or any other holiday celebration.
R.Liepiņa: “I create every lecture like a sun path all year round, because such a sun circle is characteristic to all cultures of the world. People spend their lives in cycles between seasons and also between traditional events. This helps to better understand the different, this makes it easier to make a comparison to own culture, this makes it easier to integrate and to find where you belong. Every person sees himself or herself through the family of his or her mother and father, own upbringing model, own cultural traditions, and own personal values. Therefore, we treat every newcomer with respect and during lectures ask to make a comparison with their culture or traditions. This also enables a discussion and encourages to ask each other questions.”
Support Actions for Persons Under International Protection III project is implemented with the support of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and is co-financed by the European Union. Grant agreement No. PMIF/9/2020/3/02