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
Russia
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
Nations becoming something more: European perspective
Sitting in Lähetyskirkko in Helsinki, an old church with a very contemporary and welcoming feel, I was drawn to the stained-glass window with the map of the world. Enframed within the ornate design, it looked beautiful but small and somehow fragile. Just like those amazing images from the outer space which make me think about…Read more Nations becoming something more: European perspective
The surreal reality called Putin’s Russia
Why call it 'surreal' when it is very real and even dear to millions of people? It continues to look and feel surreal to me 'on the outside looking in' or 'looking over the neighbor's fence'. Metaphorically speaking. This week I watched a documentary "Putin's witnesses" by an exiled Ukrainian/Russian filmmaker Vitaly Mansky who now…Read more The surreal reality called Putin’s Russia
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
Helpful or harmful to talk about painful national past?
This is a common and valid question. When do the wounds, losses and memories from time ago truly become things of the past? When does it heal and hurt no more? When does dwelling on the past become harmful and we get stuck in it? Increasingly many people in my global circle of friends are…Read more Helpful or harmful to talk about painful national past?
Time to bridge the chasm of dividing memories in my own nation… Latvia
Does time heal all wounds? Few months ago I was asked by an American how much more time we need in Latvia to bridge our ethnic and historical divides and to have a real sense of 'one nation'. 30 years? 40 years? More? Wait a few decades when the older people will be gone and…Read more Time to bridge the chasm of dividing memories in my own nation… Latvia
I am so sorry, Aleppo
This is about Syria and it is not about Syria; this is about politics and it is not about politics; this is about global challenges and it is not about global challenges; this is about the world's reaction but it is not about the world. This is about my own feelings in regards to what…Read more I am so sorry, Aleppo
“Ich bin ein Berliner…”
There are words and there are famous words. Phrases that people quote. I don't know how long we will remember these words "Ich bin ein Berliner" (I am a citizen of Berlin) by U.S. President John F Kennedy but to lots of people they still mean something. It came to my mind on a recent…Read more “Ich bin ein Berliner…”
Our renewed attraction to “greatness”
One leader has promised to make "Russia Great Again", one businessman has vowed to make "America Great Again" and others in Europe and elsewhere are declaring the same. Then there are those of us who have never been so "great" and just want to keep our countries the way they are. Or keep our countries...…Read more Our renewed attraction to “greatness”