Reconciliation

Evasive confessions, elusive healing

Years ago I read "Blue Like Jazz" by Donald Miller which had become somewhat a cult classic (and later a movie) among young evangelical Christians. One of the most memorable and provocative stories from this memoir was the story of small group of Christian students setting up a sidewalk confession booth at Reed University campus…Read more Evasive confessions, elusive healing

Ask Latvians about the Corner House and take time to listen

This museum  - the former KGB headquarters in Rīga - is not for the disinterested or the deeply traumatized by Latvia's totalitarian past. In the first group, you quickly realize that this is a very somber space. Every room has soaked up fears, tears and witnessed intimidation, humiliation, broken lives and tortured consciences... For the…Read more Ask Latvians about the Corner House and take time to listen

My Minnesota diary: Indians and cowboys

Every writer needs a break. After a busy year of university studies, I was deflated. Emotionally and mentally. Who wants to write a blog after staring at the computer screen for days and weeks and months? After a one month hiatus 'peaceroads' is back... the world keeps spinning and there is too much happening to…Read more My Minnesota diary: Indians and cowboys

Why bother crossing this particular bridge on May 9

The usual parade of special dates. May 1, May 4, May 8, May 9...  The weather exceptionally beautiful and 'woe is me' for having to study and sit in lectures. Not that I care much about official events but glad to participate in smaller grassroots initiatives to give these days a personal meaning. Every year…Read more Why bother crossing this particular bridge on May 9

Borders check more than our passports: Story about fault lines

On May 1, I woke up and felt like going to the cinema. Latvian cinema. This year we have many new movies - fiction, documentary, animation, TV, etc. - since 2018 celebrates 100 years of national statehood. Since these movies are also a gift to me as a Latvian citizen, I better go and support…Read more Borders check more than our passports: Story about fault lines

Filmmakers as the spies of our present and future

"I refuse your version of humanity and I will continue to struggle against it", is one of the lines from "The Forgiven", a British movie directed by Roland Joffé which came out last year . The story focuses on Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in South Africa which was established as one of the restorative…Read more Filmmakers as the spies of our present and future

Traitors, doubters, lovers, pragmatists, self-righteous, dreamers at God’s table

  Is Simon Peter famous or infamous? To be proud or to be ashamed of? Two sides of the same coin? Every year around Easter (and any other time of a year) his famous 'infamous' story of denying Jesus three times is told and retold. The moral lessons to be learned; the wisdom and compassion…Read more Traitors, doubters, lovers, pragmatists, self-righteous, dreamers at God’s table

Platitudes of peace and unity in Korea and one Latvian’s view on it

The 2018 Winter Olympics are called "Peace games" but somehow this message does not stick easily. As my blog page tells, I am all for using every and any platform for peace building, common good, diplomacy, solidarity and sports is one of those forms of fun and entertainment which brings people together. Just like kicking…Read more Platitudes of peace and unity in Korea and one Latvian’s view on it

Lustration and flushing out the Soviet poison for good

I belong to two generations. Gen X - Nirvana, grunge, MTV, The Cure, flannel shirts, cynicism... but also a generation between two worlds and two truths. Born in the USSR, I  became an adult in free and independent Latvia. The feature photo was taken at a former Soviet military facility in western Latvia which used…Read more Lustration and flushing out the Soviet poison for good