I will admit that I have never been keen on using the word "patriot" or "patriotism" because it is, firstly, overused, secondly, misused, and, thirdly, abused in so many ways by many powers throughout history. Still, it is unavoidable for me to wrestle with this concept and phenomenon. For example, I think of the description…Read more Because they loved Latvia
One in a canoe and longing for return home
"It will be strange to hear songs in our language", said my young Ukrainian neighbor Tatyana last night. We were going to a benefit concert to hear an indie-rock band "Odyn v kanoe" (One in a canoe) from Lvyv, Ukraine. I had been introduced to their music by one of my new Ukrainian friends and…Read more One in a canoe and longing for return home
When Ceasar wants it all – especially our fears
The year 2007 seems so distant and yet so present. I was working as a volunteer in Thailand with a multinational faith organization. I remember clearly the conversation with my friend and colleague from Russia when one day I asked her - what do her friends and family members back home talk about? She answered,…Read more When Ceasar wants it all – especially our fears
They didn’t know we were seeds
The sunflower with the Ukrainian ribbon is in my kitchen since March 8. I came downtown Rīga to see if there was any need for volunteers at the Refugee Support Center and I ran into an acquaintance carrying what looked like a poster. I guessed that she was on her way to join the pro-Ukraine/anti-Russia…Read more They didn’t know we were seeds
Think of the Ukrainians first
(Image credit: AP photo/Andriy Andriyenko) Pope Francis had called for Wednesday, January 26, to be a day of prayer for peace over Ukraine situation. (As always, "situation" means that something bad can turn into something much worse.) He said: "I make a heartfelt appeal to all people of goodwill to raise prayers to Almighty God…Read more Think of the Ukrainians first
(un)learning lessons from the 20th century
A beautiful, well-dressed older woman and her good-looking adult son came to the front entrance just as I was about to close the main gate of the museum. Asking to see the exhibition, they quickly added that they were from Belarus and that their time in Rīga was limited. Belarus - it was the keyword…Read more (un)learning lessons from the 20th century
Tell me your story: A sketch of Daugavpils
Lately, I cry at the most unexpected moments for the strangest reasons. Like staying at a hotel for two nights on a trip to Daugavpils, a city in the eastern part of Latvia. I put down the key card and did the routine check around the room like many, many times before. Nice decor, check!…Read more Tell me your story: A sketch of Daugavpils
Moltmann and wrestling with God
Theologian Martin E. Marty once said, “We do not want cheap grace, a casual people, or a forgotten victim. [..] As a Christian I am told that God is a gracious Other, but I also need and need to be a gracious brother. Gracelessness helps produce totalitarianisms as much as cheap grace might. If there…Read more Moltmann and wrestling with God
Making this soul sing
Honestly, I should clean my desktop. Too many unused apps and files but one of these documents I keep in front of my eyes on purpose. An unused Ryanair voucher from an originally booked flight from Riga to Dublin last April. I was invited to a wedding, a real Irish wedding at a beautiful country…Read more Making this soul sing
Politics of hope for Myanmar
Few days ago my friends in Myanmar woke up to terrible and shocking, though sadly not surprising, news. The military, called the Tatmadaw, and its commander-in-chief Min Aung Hlaing have staged a coup. They have arrested the country's elected leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and members of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party and…Read more Politics of hope for Myanmar
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