the event “Forest Enters Jelgava” will traditionally take place on the Pasta (Post) Island Visitors will have the chance to explore Latvia’s forest industry learn about forest products and how they’re used and find out about education opportunities in this field This year’s theme is “Wonders of the Forest,” highlighting how the forest industry connects to other areas like surveying Together with over 50 companies and organizations guests will be able to learn through live demonstrations For students thinking about their future careers there will be information about study programs at the Forest and Environmental Sciences Faculty of the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU) The goal of the event is to raise public awareness and educate the public about Latvia’s forests and natural resources It also shows how the forest industry contributes to society – from wood and non-wood products to jobs and sustainable development “Forest Enters Jelgava” is organized by the LBTU Forest and Environmental Sciences Faculty More The first bond issue of the Latraps cooperative society has just been completed The cooperative has managed to raise the planned €8 million to start building the largest pea protein isolate plant in Northern Europe in Jelgava The total demand for the bonds was more than EUR 12 million and more than 300 investors participated the contract with the selected construction contractor for the plant The first buildings should be ready in May next year alongside the delivery of equipment already ordered in Europe and America Construction will be completed in the first quarter of 2026 Total investment is planned at €140 million "The planned [processing] capacity of the plant is 70,000 tonnes of peas for several years on how best to grow peas Peas are very important from an ecological point of view [That is one of the reasons why we have chosen this direction "Pea processing has a very high added value and will significantly increase farmers' incomes that we could reduce the use of nitrogen fertilizers in general," says Edgars Ruža The new plant will produce pea protein isolate which will initially be fully exported to Western European countries and America which is said to be a leader in this field The plant will employ more than 100 people "It will be a highly concentrated protein that can be further developed into a substitute for vegetable or meat or milk or other [products] we are not talking about putting ourselves in competition with meat or milk This is an additional opportunity because the world is becoming more crowded the climate is changing and there are more and more regions that are not sufficiently favorable for growing food," said Ruža The plant will also produce starch for food The production will follow a residue-free production technology Trends show that the global demand for plant-based foods is only increasing The number of people adopting a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle is also increasing Ruža sees this as a new direction for the food industry and hopes that in time more plants will be built alongside this one These could be start-ups with innovative products This will also provide opportunities for scientists and young professionals There is already a strong demand for these types of products Head of the Agricultural Market Promotion Center welcomed the development of production and crop diversification "Every new crop that a farmer can grow and that is profitable for him is a plus which is not enough - we need more for crop rotation From the point of view of nature and farmers Any industry and production that is going on in Latvia is good which I don't like very much - that they thought so long and so carefully that others have already done it," said Gulbe a similar plant was opened in Liepāja this year which could increase demand for local raw materials But the key question is where the production will be sold Demand for this type of product is growing worldwide but less in deeds - with our wallets," Gulbe added The expert thinks that a lot will depend on what products scientists develop that could be protein-based Select text and press Ctrl+Enter to send a suggested correction to the editor Select text and press Report a mistake to send a suggested correction to the editor The 19th International Sand Sculpture Festival will take place on May 17 on the Pasta (Post) Island in Jelgava This year’s theme is “Mythical Creatures” offering visitors a chance to explore legendary beings and experience a world of magic and fantasy through impressive sand sculptures created by artists from various countries and tickets are available at a discounted price in pre-sale until May 5 at Biļešu Paradīze ticket offices at the Jelgava House of Culture box office The festival will be officially opened on May 17 from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM The International Sand Sculpture Festival is organized by the City of Jelgava and the municipal institution “Kultūra”. More information about the festival is available at jelgava.lv/en/ and kultura.jelgava.lv/en/ Dina Tauriņa (Latvian Association of Regions) Jelgava municipality chairman Ainārs has not publicly mentioned the reasons why he has decided to resign According to the Jelgava Municipality Statute the continuity of Jelgava Municipality's activities until the election of the next Chairman will be ensured by the Deputy Chairperson for Education Uldis Ainārs was elected chairman of the Jelgava County Council on September 20 the city’s main Christmas tree was lit up a new large-scale decoration was illuminated – the silhouette of Jelgava Castle more than 20 meters wide and 4 meters high as well as six lit-up arches and festive ornaments along Lielā Street a time when we reflect on what we have accomplished and set new goals for the upcoming year I encourage everyone to be understanding and support each other during this time Happy holidays!” wished Andris Rāviņš made of more than 30 smaller Nordmann firs is decorated with ornaments in various sizes in pearl The tree is complemented by 20 new warm white light decorations – stylized acanthus leaves – vertically illuminated by four projectors the silhouette of Jelgava Castle and six decorative arches lit up in Duke Jēkaba Square Both the arches and castle silhouette feature stylized acanthus decorations symbolically referencing the baroque style of Jelgava Castle such decorations enhance the lighting supports on the bridges over the Lielupe and Driksa rivers lighting supports along Lielā Street from Jānis Čakstes Boulevard to Dambja Street are adorned with golden almost five-meter-long string light decorations the Christmas gift market set the festive atmosphere The lighting ceremony was joined by Santa Claus and elves from the Jurmala Theater the large screen in Duke Jēkaba Square allowed everyone to reminisce about the year’s events in the city the remaining holiday decorations across the city will be lit up alongside the lighting It is also worth mentioning that acanthus decorations are placed along the Loka Maģistrāle from Riga Street to Aviācijas Street as well as on lighting supports along the Dobele Highway New freestanding light structures with acanthus motifs can also be found on Traffic Street and at the intersection of Garozas and Prohorova Streets previous year’s decorations are reused – three stylized Christmas trees made from LED string lights are placed at the junction of Rīga and Pērnava streets The lighting supports on Vecpilsētas Street and Stacijas Park are adorned with thematic light decorations such as various-sized globes with sparkling snowflakes Another festive object will be the oak tree in the traffic roundabout on Pasta Street where LED string light spheres will illuminate it existing decorations are complemented with new ones the Christmas trees on Driksa Street and in Uzvaras Park have been adorned with new LED string lights The decorations in Pasta Island will also feature previously displayed items – a three-dimensional sailing boat and light objects in the shape of sails It is worth noting that the large-scale decorations in Duke Jēkaba Square and other Christmas ornaments in Jelgava were installed according to a procurement process by the company “December Design.” The total budget for the year-end holiday decorations in the city is 82,885 euros This amount covers the creation and delivery of new decorations the chairman of the Jelgava municipal council told Latvian Radio that the previous administration had increased the remuneration fund by €8 million over two years but this was done without taking into account the fact that there was no such income in the basic budget savings and money from property sales have been used for salary increases He acknowledged that a review of municipal expenditure was foreseen and that the reorganization of institutions was not ruled out Ainārs stated that for two consecutive years the wage increases in the budget have been one of the fastest in the country mainly the increase in personal income tax The share of the remuneration section in the budget as a percentage of revenue for core functions has increased from 47.6% in 2022 to an indicative 60% in 2024 "The account balance at the end of 2023 was €10 million due to a personal income tax over-execution and lower spending There was a misleading illusion that this situation would continue," Ainārs pointed out another factor He also said that the municipality's spending on its core functions in 2024 is estimated to exceed revenues by €2-2.5 million "Realising the seriousness of the situation we met with experts from the Ministry of Finance The discussion made it clear that we are not the first municipality to find itself in similar difficulties and that the cause is the disproportionate increase in the wage bill in previous years," said the Chairman of the Municipal Council The only solution is to cut costs and borrowing for budgetary and financial management as provided for in the Law on the State Budget and Budgetary Framework both in terms of reducing costs and making commitments to reduce them several municipalities pointed to a difficult financial situation when preparing their budgets the financial situation of the city council last year and the failure to adopt this year's budget resulted in the dissolution of the council and Duke Jekāba Square in Jelgava shine with festive string lights The Jelgava Regional Tourism Center (JRTC) traditionally offers the walking route “The Dance of Lights in Jelgava” in December inviting citizens and visitors to explore the city’s Christmas decorations and immerse themselves in the holiday spirit The recommended starting point for the walking route is Jelgava Palace The palace windows and balconies are illuminated with LED decorations while the courtyard features an Advent wreath and decorated Christmas trees visitors can admire a lit spatial sailing ship and light installations in the shape of sails which this year are enhanced with acanthus motifs Stacijas Park offers a themed light decoration ensemble—a group of free-standing triangular decorations with snowflake motifs—while the lampposts are adorned with various-sized stars with snowflakes the lampposts are decorated with traditional Latvian “puzuri” ornaments featuring glowing snowflakes On Driksas Street’s pedestrian section a decorated Christmas tree has been installed and light projections illuminate the pavement a daily market operates from approximately 9 a.m offering festive items such as Advent wreaths The walking route is recommended to conclude at Jelgava’s brightest spot—Duke Jēkaba Square—home to the city’s main Christmas tree the tree is composed of over 30 smaller trees a new large-scale decoration graces Duke Jēkaba Square—a silhouette of Jelgava Palace measuring over 21 meters wide and four meters tall The winter fairytale atmosphere created by the palace silhouette is enhanced by six decorative arches and the Christmas tree decorations incorporate stylized acanthus motifs symbolically referencing the Baroque style of Jelgava Palace The tree crowns in Duke Jēkaba Square sparkle with LED light curtains The total length of the suggested route is approximately 6 kilometers The recommended time for the walk is from 4 p.m. The festive decorations will remain on display until mid-January The “Dance of Lights in Jelgava” route can be enriched with free audio guide stories and descriptions about Jelgava’s tourist attractions the Old Town Quarter on Vecpilsētas Street the Ģederts Eliass Jelgava History and Art Museum JRTC recommends enjoying the walk with warming drinks which can be purchased to-go from one of the city’s cafés and restaurants For more information, visit www.visit.jelgava.lv Jelgava will traditionally transform into an ice sculpture kingdom The 26th International Ice Sculpture Festival will take place on Pasta (Post) Island Thirty-five sculptors from 13 countries will carve and polish 80 tons of crystal-clear ice to reveal their vision of the theme “The Story of the Universe.” The festival will be accompanied by an extensive entertainment program – sculpture-making duels Tickets will be available at a reduced price until January 31 The festival in Jelgava continues to be one of the largest ice sculpture events in the world “We offer visitors a unique opportunity to witness world-class artistic creativity which will be available for just a few days along with a diverse entertainment program suitable for all ages the Jelgava festival remains one of the few remaining ice festivals in Europe that has preserved its competitive format encouraging healthy competition and offering sculptors a platform for creative expression,” said Mintauts Buškevics director of the municipal institution “Culture.” He explains that as the festival approaches its third decade one of the biggest challenges is selecting an appropriate theme for the event “It is important for the theme to engage visitors of all ages while also inspiring the creative imagination of artists and showcasing technical virtuosity we have invited artists from around the world to explore the grandeur and endless mystery of the Universe The inspiration for the theme stems from humanity’s ancient desire to understand the depths of space It also creates space for philosophical reflections about who we are and what values we represent in this Universe,” says M Sculpting Skills Showcased by 35 Artists from 13 Countries a sketch competition jury selected the best works for this year’s event The organizers note that the competition attracted a large number of international sculptors with 25 teams and 50 sculptors from 21 countries submitting applications for the first time in the competition’s history Iran and Japan – were confirmed to participate the sculptors will create 45 competition ice sculptures – 15 of them on Pasta Island as a team effort while 30 will be individually created along Jānis Čakstes Boulevard five artists will be working on ice bars and photo sculptures allowing visitors to become part of the artwork – stepping into a rocket Dozens of Stories of the Universe Brought to Life in Ice The festival’s theme has inspired a wide range of sculptors’ interpretations meaning that visitors will encounter a diverse array of ice art motifs from the Big Bang theory will be brought to life in ice – depicting the birth of the Universe and the energy explosion that created the world Sculptors will also reflect on human relations with space showcasing both scientific achievements and philosophical thoughts about our place in the vastness of the Universe There will also be sculptures based on legendary star stories and mythology – such as the Greek mythological figures Orion Artists will also provoke thought about the future of the Universe and humanity’s future in space Two Stages and gaming area at the Skating Rink In addition to more than 60 ice art objects the festival will feature a grand entertainment program Pasta (Post) Island’s outdoor concert hall “Mītava” will be the main venue for themed children’s performances visitors will be able to enjoy an ice gaming area at the public skating rink on Pasta (Post) Island the stage will host sculpting demonstration duels a laser show will brighten the festive atmosphere with repeats visible from anywhere in the festival area visitors are also encouraged to explore other tourism attractions in Jelgava the Gederts Elias Jelgava History and Art Museum will extend its opening hours until 8 PM on February 7 and 8 and other local tourist sites have adjusted their hours accordingly You can learn more about tourism options during the festival on the website www.visitjelgava.lv Preparing for the Festival and Exploring the Program Visitors are encouraged to prepare for the festival in advance to fully enjoy the extensive program It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance which will make the visit more comfortable and cheaper We also suggest reviewing the program and considering the best time to attend families with children may find the morning hours attractive when themed children’s performances take place It is important to note that a one-day ticket allows multiple visits to the festival area on the same day there will be an opportunity to return in the evening for a concert or other activities that match their interests dogs are now allowed on Pasta (Post) Island pet owners must ensure their dogs are on a leash and are responsible for cleaning up after them Tickets Available at a Discounted Price in Advance tickets can be purchased at a reduced price at the “Billetes Paradize” ticket office Family tickets and tickets with a “3+ Family Card” are also available for €20 in advance At the Jelgava Culture House ticket office tickets with the December “Jelgavas Vestnesis” Ice Sculpture Festival coupon or with a Jelgava resident card cost €7 and tickets for Jelgava school students cost €4 the price for adult tickets will increase to €15 Children up to seven years old can enter the festival free of charge tickets will be valid for any day of the festival ticket offices will be located at Pasta (Post) Island and at the beginning of Jānis Čakstes Boulevard You can also pay by credit card at all ticket purchase locations Pasta (Post) Island Closure and Traffic Restrictions Pasta (Post) Island will gradually be closed to visitors with access granted only for those paying the entry fee the section of Jānis Čakstes Boulevard from Lielā Street to Elektrības Street will be closed and other traffic restrictions will be in place around the festival area For more information on traffic changes before and during the festival or check the latest updates on the “Waze” app The festival is organized by Jelgava City and the “Culture” institution with support from the companies “Ramirent” and “Husqvarna.” visitors agree to be filmed and photographed More information about personal data processing in Jelgava municipality is available here the international sand sculpture festival “Sand Signs 2025” will take place in Jelgava – 15 professional sculptors from 11 countries will transform sand into their interpretations of the theme “Mythical Figures” the sculptures will be showcased in the largest sand sculpture park in the Baltics visitors will also enjoy a rich cultural program with concerts Discounted tickets are available till May 5 (included) This year’s festival invites visitors to dive into legends and ancient tales as mythical creatures and gods from cultures around the world are brought to life in sand From the Norse goddess Freyja and Slavic god of the sun and abundance Radegast to the dangerous sirens of Greek mythology the Wendigo from Canadian indigenous folklore and the legendary werewolf (vovkulak) – these are just a few of the characters that will be featured Visitors will not only explore myth and mystery but also be amazed by the technical artistry of the sculptures The festival’s largest artwork will once again be the demo sculpture created this year by Latvian sculptor Agnese Rudzīte-Kirillova According to the municipal institution “Kultūra,” the sculptures for this 19th international sand sculpture festival will be created by artists from Latvia The 15 sculptors were selected from 35 applicants judged on their interpretation of the theme the festival format has changed – the full program will be celebrated in one action-packed day the festival will offer an engaging program for children and families The stage will feature a musical performance “Safety Festival” by Arturs Gruzdiņš and the vocal studio “Knīpas un Knauķi” as well as the musical show “Brīnumskapis” children can visit the “House of Light and Senses” where light and sand tables will spark imagination and creativity interactive boards will help young visitors develop one of a sculptor’s key skills – tactile perception The event will also include a Zumba Fitness session led by Rolands Bartaševičs and the Zumba Dance Family – fun for all who enjoy movement and music the open-air concert hall “Mītava” will host performances by “Riga Reggae” and the high-energy Latvian group “Bermudu Divstūris” All ticket points accept bank card payments and tickets are also valid electronically shown in mobile device What has the year 2024 been like in Jelgava We offer a brief look back at the highlights of this year in our city the most modern water tourism and sports base in Latvia has been built where the city’s athletes are already training Simultaneously with the construction of the sports base Pilssala Street has been completely reconstructed and the surrounding area has been landscaped – various sports and recreation zones have been created which are actively used by the residents of Jelgava Construction work has begun on one of the most ambitious projects for the upcoming years in the city – the “Development of the Zemgale Industrial Park and new street sections are being created to connect Atmodas Street with the Dobele highway Since the beginning of the new school year students and city residents have been able to use the newly reconstructed modern stadium at Jelgava Centre Primary School the Civil Registry Office of Jelgava City and Municipality moved to a new building on Pasta Street 32 At the moment residents of Jelgava can register important life events in modern and newly renovated spaces residents of Jelgava chose the name for the new street near the future kindergarten in the Nameja Street area The infrastructure development in the city block around Nameja Street the multifunctional Social Services Center was opened in February at Zirgu Street 47A Several divisions of the Jelgava Social Affairs Department continue to operate there and new social services are also being provided Construction work has started at Ganību Street 54 where SIA “Jelgavas īres nami” is building two low-rent apartment buildings with 116 apartments The Jelgava Municipality will implement a European Social Fund project in the coming years 320 children will be able to attend five private kindergartens without parental contributions The reconstruction of the next section of the bypass continues – in the first phase Miera Street is being rebuilt from the bridge over the Platone River to Zemeņu Street Another city street lighting reconstruction project has been completed the lighting in Raiņa Park and 70 street sections and squares in Jelgava have been upgraded this year A total of 1,152 old street lamps have been replaced with new-generation LED lights Continuing to improve the functionality of the Jelgava.lv website its content has become even more accessible to the residents of Jelgava this year A text-to-speech feature has been added to the website making it easier for users to listen to the written information the youth center “Pakāpiens” opened at Loka Maģistrāle 25 In celebration of the city’s anniversary Jelgava received an exclusive gift from its twin city In gratitude for the 17 years of friendship and successful cooperation in various fields the city presented Jelgava with a gift – the large gates of the fence surrounding the Jelgava Holy Trinity Church Tower designed based on historical photographs of the gates SIA “Vizuālā diagnostika” has installed the latest generation magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment equipped with innovative artificial intelligence algorithms for planning The latest technology offers a greater opportunity to detect and address health issues in a timely manner received the honorary “Jelgava’s Cat 2025” awards during the international cat show “FIFe Baltic Winner 2025” The Gold Cat title went to a Norwegian Forest Cat (center in photo) Silver was awarded to a British Shorthair (left) lives in Valmiera and will turn six in April says he weighs over 10 kg and is already the proud father of 30 kittens “He has a wonderful temperament and is a fantastic companion This breed needs regular human interaction,” she emphasizes is a two-year-old British Shorthair from Riga Nataļja Petrovska-Avramenko notes that despite his young age Jumbo already has considerable experience in international cat shows he gave lots of kisses to children – maybe that’s why they voted for him,” she smiled Bengal cats are known for their super soft The international cat exhibition “FIFe Baltic Winner 2025” took place on April 5–6 at ZOC Visitors had the chance to see 31 different cat breeds including some popular ones like Maine Coons and Sacred Birmans with their beautiful blue eyes There were also more exotic breeds such as Norwegian Forest Cats as well as the tailless or bobtailed Manx and Kurilian Bobtails that caught people’s attention The cats were judged not only by visitors but also by a professional international jury who evaluated whether each cat met the breed standard and compared them within their groups This title “Baltic Winner” is awarded once a year in the Baltic region and was won by 34 cats the jury wasn’t present during the public voting The exhibition was organized by the Cat Fanciers and Clubs Association CFCA Latvia Jelgava will celebrate its 760th anniversary To welcome both the New Year and the city’s anniversary year the people of Jelgava are invited to Duke Jēkaba Square we will experience the special moments of the New Year’s Eve with festive greetings “Celebrating New Year’s together has become a city tradition which we will continue this time with two special festive moments – we will welcome the New Year at midnight with all of Latvia when the New Year will officially arrive in Jelgava as well,” says Ivars Pirvics Deputy Director of the municipal institution “Culture.” He explains that the Earth meaning that the local time in different parts of the country differs from the average standard time the meridian crosses the tower of the Holy Trinity Church and the New Year begins 25 minutes after midnight the symbolic celebration spot will be Duke Jacob’s Square – the central location in the city where the festive atmosphere is created by the city’s large Christmas tree and a square adorned with bright light garlands It is a place offering a view of the Holy Trinity Church tower a significant historical heritage for the city It is also the place where Jelgava residents gather each year expressing their belonging to the city in the festive procession The residents of the city are invited to experience a sense of togetherness and bright holiday moments there during the New Year’s Eve The energetic music will be provided by the band “TirkizBand,” and a video will be shown on the big screen allowing everyone to remember and virtually revisit the most significant events in Jelgava in 2024 Jelgava’s Mayor Andris Rāviņš will greet the crowd and New Year’s greetings from the country’s highest officials will also be broadcast the organizers remind that the bringing and use of fireworks is not allowed in the event area a mobile café will be available at the event It should be noted that during the celebration traffic restrictions will be in place from 11 PM to 1:30 AM – the section of Lielā Street from Pasta Street to Akadēmijas Street will be closed to motor vehicles new colorful decorations have been added – bright butterflies that look like they are “flying” in Duke Jēkabs Square and along Vecpilsētas Street The butterflies are made from aluminum with colorful plastic wings that let light through you’ll find three benches with butterfly wings and 13 butterflies decorating the lamp posts You can also see butterflies continues along Vecpilsētas Street you’ll find large stained-glass-style Easter eggs in different sizes A bunny figure and eggs have been placed along Loka Magistrāle and colorful eggs with nests can be seen on Dobeles Highway As Jelgava prepares to celebrate its 760th birthday two festive photo frames have already been installed for Easter – one on Driksas Street and one near Ozolskvērs Park Flag decorations with the city’s anniversary theme have been placed on Jānis Čakste Boulevard and at the Pasta (Post) Street roundabout the Zemgale Olympic Center (ZOC) will host the cat exhibition “FIFe Baltic Winner 2025” featuring more than 300 cats from various European countries An international jury will determine the cats competing for the prestigious “Baltic Winner” title Visitors will also have the chance to vote for their favorite feline The winner of the “Jelgava Cat 2025” Audience Choice Award will be honored with a special Jelgava City Cup The exhibition offers a unique opportunity to discover over 25 well-known and rare cat breeds from Europe Among the participants will be the majestic Maine Coons beloved by Jelgava residents in previous events Visitors will also be impressed by Norwegian Forest Cats whose water-resistant coats are adapted to cold climates the extravagant Devon Rex cats with their wavy fur Lesser-known breeds will include the Singapura cats characterized by their small yet muscular build The “Baltic Winner” title is awarded annually in the Baltic region with only 34 earning the prestigious title “Once every three years we are honored to organize an exhibition of this scale where visitors can admire a unique diversity of breeds and the finest representatives who have earned special qualifications to participate The winning title registered at this event will belong to the cat for a lifetime I invite all animal lovers to visit Jelgava where they can not only see and learn about different cat breeds but also take part in activities and competitions which will be crowned as the ‘Jelgava Cat 2025’ Audience Choice Award winner,” says event organizer Anžela Fomičeva Visitors will be invited to vote for their favorite cat on the first day of the exhibition Each attendee will receive a voting card upon purchasing a ticket and will be introduced to the voting process The winner of the Audience Choice Award will be announced on April 6 at approximately 1:00 PM and will be honored with the special Jelgava City Cup Visitors are invited to check the event program to plan their visit based on their interests and the Netherlands will evaluate the cats there will be presentations on different cat breeds veterinarian Daira Višķere will deliver a lecture on “How to Prevent Accidents: Household Hazards for Cats” the final competitions and awards ceremony will take place showcasing the most beautiful finalists and announcing the winners visitors will also be able to explore a wide range of pet-related products The youngest guests will enjoy a children’s corner featuring face painting The exhibition will be held at ZOC (Kronvalda Street 24) and will welcome visitors from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on both days The event is organized by the “Kaķu mīļotāju un klubu asociācija CFCA Latvija “ the official representative of “Federation Internationale Feline” (FIFe) in Latvia the citizens of Jelgava are invited to mark the 106th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Latvia on November 18 and citizens are encouraged to lay flowers and candles at the monument of Latvia’s first President A highlight of the city celebrations will be a 3D multimedia story “A Gift for Latvia’s Birthday,” projected onto the Jelgava Holy Trinity Church Tower a virtual exhibition of drawings created by Jelgava students as a gift for Latvia’s birthday will be displayed on the tower Let’s join in and fill our city with a festive and uplifting spirit everyone is invited to lay flowers and candles at the monument of Latvia’s first President Jānis Čakste citizens of Jelgava can also participate in the ecumenical service at St attend the free concert “Great Masters of Latvian Piano Music” at the Jelgava Culture Centre (invitation required) and enjoy an outdoor concert at Duke Jēkaba Square where the Zemessardze 51st Infantry Battalion ensemble “Dobeles Zemessargi” will perform songs dedicated to Latvia On the Tower – Multimedia Story and Jelgava Students’ Drawings the multimedia story “A Gift for Latvia’s Birthday” will be shown on the tower of Jelgava’s Holy Trinity Church The 3D multimedia performance will reveal a surreal story about two children who are searching for a gift and dreaming of what to give Latvia for its birthday the greatest gift to Latvia is the children as they are the future of both our city and our country viewers can admire the virtual exhibition of Jelgava students’ drawings from the “A Gift for Latvia’s Birthday” campaign on the tower The municipality’s “Culture” institution notes that the campaign received a tremendous response from students All of them will be displayed from 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM and in intervals during the multimedia story selected drawings will be projected onto the tower We would like to inform you that all of Jelgava’s students’ works are already on display in the exhibition on the 2nd floor of the Jelgava Culture Centre The exhibition “A Gift for Latvia’s Birthday” at the Culture Centre will be open until December 15 For a Festive Atmosphere – Illuminated Buildings To enhance the festive atmosphere in the city during the national holiday several buildings will be illuminated in the colors of our national flag Among these are the facade of the Jelgava City Library on Akadēmijas Street 26 the balcony of a house in Old Town Jelgava on Vecpilsētas Street 14 the Jelgava Sports Hall on Mātera Street 44a and the Jelgava Education Department on Svētes Street 22 illuminated windows will be seen at the “Zīļuks” preschool on Skautu Street 1a Jelgava’s 4th Primary School on Pulkveža Oskara Kalpaka Street 34 as well as at the “Ābelīte” kindergarten on Vaļņu Street 6 Jelgava’s Pārlielupe Secondary School on Loka Maģistrāle 29 Jelgava’s Paula Bedrups Primary School on Filozofu Street 50 Jelgava Primary School “Valdeka”–Development Center on Institūta Street 4 Jelgava’s 4th Secondary School on Akmeņu Street 1 Jelgava’s 5th Secondary School on Aspazijas Street 20 Jelgava State Gymnasium on Mātera Street 44 Jelgava Crafts Secondary School on Akadēmijas Street 25 and Jelgava Technical School on Pulkveža Oskara Kalpaka Street 37 Other institutions and individuals are also encouraged to join this initiative by lighting candles in their windows or illuminating buildings in the colors of the national flag the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies invites everyone to participate in lighting up Jelgava Castle Park on the evening of November 18 as part of the “Illumination of the LBTU Academic Path” initiative each visitor is welcome to place a brought candle by an ornament or create their own While listening to some of the most beautiful and heartfelt Latvian songs and everyone is encouraged to continue lighting new flames throughout the evening Throughout the patriotism month until November 28 the Jelgava Regional Tourism Center invites everyone to join the orienteering game “In Search of Freedom” around Jelgava and Jelgava County offering insights into the history of the Freedom Fights Detailed information on the game and how to participate is available at www.visit.jelgava.lv outside the Ģederta Eliasa Jelgavas History and Art museum an outdoor exhibition titled “From Council to Municipality” commemorates the 135th anniversary of the city’s first elected council Just before Latvia’s birthday on November 16 families with children are invited to a themed event “The Brain Teasers Game,” at the Miezīte Library children will test their wits and deepen their knowledge about Latvia Only by completing each task in order will they reach the finish line The tasks can be done individually or in teams to enhance the spirit of competition everyone in Jelgava is invited to join a celebratory run marking Latvia’s 106th birthday The route will take participants from the new water tourism base to the Jānis Čakste monument – where they can light their brought candles and back to the new water tourisms base there will be traffic restrictions in the vicinity of Duke Jēkaba Square the section of Lielā Street from the intersection with Akadēmijas Street to the intersection with Pasta Street will be closed to traffic To enable residents to attend the festive events in Jelgava passengers will be able to ride city route buses for free please note that buses will run according to the Saturday schedule The bus timetable is available on the Jelgava Bus Park website at www.jap.lv Laying Flowers and Lighting Candles at Meža Cemetery on November 21 national celebrations traditionally culminate on November 21 marking the liberation of Jelgava from Bermont-Avalov’s troops The citizens of Jelgava are invited to lay flowers and light candles at Meža Cemetery throughout the day Jelgava City Library will host a game for young people titled “Break into the Library.” The 26th International Ice Sculpture Festival was opened in Jelgava on Friday visitors were introduced to world-class artistic creativity – more than 60 ice objects in total where 35 sculptors from 13 countries brought their unique vision of the theme “The Story of the Universe” to life The award ceremony also announced the winners of the Ice Sculpture Festival competition – the jury’s favorites visitors can enjoy 15 impressive team sculptures created on Pasta (Post) Island 30 individual artworks by sculptors along Jānis Čakstes Boulevard as well as more than 10 ice objects throughout the festival area the festival features an ice games zone at the public ice rink on Pasta (Post) Island the event’s guests were entertained by “Dzelzs vilks,” “Citi zēni,” and “3Live Project.” As night fell light objects and lasers gave the event area a special ambiance the ice art was created by 35 sculptors – five of them made photo sculptures while 30 sculptors participated in the festival’s competition representing 13 countries worldwide – Latvia and for the first time in the history of the competition – Iran and Japan The jury evaluated the sculptors’ works and announced the winners of the 26th International Ice Sculpture Festival the jury consisted of six experienced experts president of the International Snow and Ice Sculpture Association from Finland Jury’s Favorite: Dorjnamjil Baatar and Solongo Khashbaatar (Mongolia) “Historiology” 3rd place: Mindaugas Tendziagolskis and Liutauras Grieže (Lithuania) “Juggler” 2nd place: Zīle Ozoliņa-Šneidere (Latvia) and Ludo Roders (Netherlands) “The Universe Between Us” 1st place: I Made Sutama (Indonesia) and Santiago Gonzalez (Argentina) “Quantum Singularity” Winners in the Individual Sculpture Category Jury’s Favorite: Santiago Gonzalez (Argentina) “Invalid Matter” 3rd place: Liutauras Grieže (Lithuania) “Idea” 2nd place: Agnese Rudzīte-Kirillova (Latvia) “The Beginning” 1st place: Kristaps Andersons (Latvia) “Walking Through the Gardens of the Galaxy” Visitors will be able to view the ice sculptures and enjoy the extensive festival entertainment program and concerts all weekend – on February 8 and 9 – from 11 AM to 10 PM Pasta (Post) Island’s open-air concert hall “Mītava” is the main venue for children’s thematic performances visitors can enjoy the music concert program guests will be entertained by live ice sculpture demonstrations the festive atmosphere will be enhanced by a laser show – repeated throughout the evening and visible from anywhere in the festival area Event visitors are encouraged to dress according to the weather and check the traffic organization map before heading to Jelgava which will also be available in the “Waze” mobile app The obtained materials will be used to reflect and promote the event on the organizer’s website and social networks ensuring public information about the events organized in the public interest and the reflection of budget expenditure as well as the preservation of cultural and historical heritage Jelgava and its surroundings will host a gourmet festival – “BaudĒŠANA in Jelgava” local residents and guests are invited to visit dining establishments in Jelgava and Jelgava County to enjoy special gourmet meals made from autumn’s harvest and a manor house in Jelgava and its region will be welcoming visitors guests can enjoy autumnal meals at restaurants “Chocolate & Pepper” visitors will be welcomed by “Masti Grill & Chill” The autumn “BaudĒŠANA” campaign continues the established tradition of offering local residents and city visitors the chance to discover or rediscover the diversity of Jelgava and Jelgava County’s dining establishments visitors will have the opportunity to experience new flavours and food combinations based on gifts from the forest Guests can savour dishes not usually found on the daily menu such as grilled homemade cheese in rowan syrup on rye seed toast cauliflower cream soup with blue cheese and roasted onions porcini mushroom cream soup in a bread bowl creme fraiche panna cotta with apple-cinnamon poached pears in white wine caramel and praline It is important to note that some dining establishments will offer their special meals on specific days of the week Bistro Silva will offer their “BaudĒŠANA” dishes from 14th to 18th October from 10:00 to 17:00 Noliktava Nr.2 from 15th to 19th October from 15:00 to 22:00 Branku brančotava on 18th and 19th October from 12:00 to 15:00 and from 18:00 to 21:00 Abgunste Manor will welcome guests on 18th October at 19:00 and on 20th October at 14:00 Guests are encouraged to book their tables at the manor in advance Menus for the “BaudĒŠANA” campaign, as well as the working hours of the dining establishments, will soon be available on www.visit.jelgava.lv on the Visit Jelgava and Taste Jelgava Facebook pages as well as on the website of the Jelgava Catering and Hospitality Association: tastejelgava.mozello.lv “BaudĒŠANA in Jelgava” takes place twice a year – in spring and autumn The event is organised by the Jelgava Regional Tourism Centre in cooperation with Jelgava State City the Jelgava Catering and Hospitality Association Andris Rāviņš: “In the development of any city more important than completing one task or another is pragmatic and thoughtful action that allows the area to grow in a balanced way across all sectors and continuous development year after year that is Jelgava’s strong suit we usually don’t think about how each of our actions together creates strong foundations for Jelgava in the upcoming – our city’s 760th anniversary – year we will keep in mind that Jelgava’s stability and strength depend on each of us there have been plenty of challenges this year we have implemented significant projects that offer new opportunities to the people of Jelgava in education we launched a large-scale project for the development of entrepreneurship – the creation of the Zemgale Industrial Park And that’s just one of the important tasks we will need to carry out on the path of the city’s development Jelgava will greatly benefit from the contribution of each Jelgavian with satisfaction for what has been achieved we can all celebrate our city’s 760th birthday together in May,” emphasizes Andris Rāviņš “An unequal redistribution of the personal income tax between the state and municipalities and a series of amendments to the Local Government Law made by the state which imposed additional functions without providing funding – all of this resulted in the challenge of finding an additional 7.7 million euros in the budget at the beginning of the year our priorities for balancing the budget were clear – we needed to act in such a way that the reduction would not affect the quality of services provided to residents and would not hinder the implementation of development projects,” describes A Did the tense financial situation delay the ongoing work I can proudly say that we completed all the projects that were initiated during the previous EU funding period the reconstructed social services center on Zirgu Street began its operations continuing to host several departments of the Social Affairs Administration and offering new social services to residents we opened the registry office in the renovated building on Pasta Street 32 the new recreation area on the Lielupe Riverbank – the reconstructed Pilssala Street with its landscaped surroundings including various sports and leisure zones – was ready for the public we opened the most modern water tourism and sports center in Latvia on Pilssala and a modern school stadium for the students of the Central Primary School we are continuing the reconstruction of the bypass section on Miera Street we have already submitted documents to the Ministry of Transport for co-financing the next section to complete the city’s important transit road What major projects can we highlight for the next period but the most significant project for the coming years is the development of the Zemgale Industrial Park Street reconstruction has already begun on Atmodas with new sections being built to connect Atmodas Street with the Dobele highway which is a significant gain for the city environment for every resident its main goal is the creation of a new industrial park in the city to develop business The total cost of the project is 23.9 million euros and nearly as ambitious is the planned volume of private investment once the park is created What is the interest of entrepreneurs in the industrial park area Increasing interest is confirmed by the investor applications we have already received – one involves a renewable energy investment project with the introduction of smart solutions with the cooperation agreement expected to be signed by the end of the year Another company is planning to develop a wood processing plant We must acknowledge that the tense global economic situation and high international competition are serious challenges we are doing everything necessary to create favorable conditions for entrepreneurs The priority is to reduce bureaucratic burdens for entrepreneurs we have achieved that land for building rights can be granted to entrepreneurs not for 30 years We are also seeing high added value in the nearby Kaigu Swamp area where the construction of a wind farm has begun This gives us confidence about future energy provision benefiting both local businesses and the city Have we seen benefits from the large-scale reconstruction of Neretas By continuing several years of targeted work in this industrial zone we have this year built two new street sections which Jelgava residents have named Bruģa and Gala streets There has been a positive response from the business sector as well – the number of jobs in the Lielupe Industrial Park has grown from the initial 20 to 250 as new companies have entered the area The potential for further growth is still high Another significant project this year in this area is the construction of the ASNS Ingredient pea protein isolate plant which is expected to create about 90 new jobs and open the door for other food production companies using pea protein isolate in their products This clearly demonstrates that investments lead to results we will continue with the construction of another new street section in this area the issue of availability of housing becomes even more urgent this is one of the reasons why the construction of low-rent housing with 116 apartments on Ganību Street was such a highly anticipated project We are now seeing how the first building of the “Jelgavas īres nami” company It is expected to be completed by next summer with apartments available for rent in the fall These apartments will be primarily available to qualified specialists moving to the city as well as families who previously had no opportunity to register for rental apartments We encourage eligible residents to apply to the municipality already We are also pleased with other projects that add to the city’s housing stock – the construction of apartments on Cukura Street and the conversion of the building on Blaumaņa Street into a multi-apartment house we will continue to seek opportunities to respond to demand with supply What is the progress on the Nameja Street kindergarten construction and the kindergarten on Nameja Street will be built but the long-term benefits should be assessed – our goal is to create a development-friendly and well-equipped educational environment for 250 young Jelgava residents which will be in demand for decades to come we have completed significant work – the infrastructure on three street sections near the planned kindergarten: 2nd A new Čiekuru Street has been built next to the kindergarten a name that Jelgava residents chose in a vote another city block has received a well-organized environment and infrastructure fostering development in the private construction sector To support the city’s families and young residents this year we also made other significant investments in infrastructure and support measures At the “Sprīdītis” kindergarten Thanks to the European Social Fund project implemented by the municipality 320 children now have the opportunity to attend five private kindergartens without parental co-payment and we have increased the municipality’s co-financing for private preschool institutions and nannies Several projects this year focused on mitigating climate change Jelgava committed to reducing CO2 emissions by 40% by 2030 and this year we continued to pursue this green course The impacts of climate change were strongly felt in the city this year especially during the major floods at the end of July Efforts to fully address the damage caused by the disaster are still ongoing we provided support to Jelgava residents whose properties were affected by the disaster with a total payout of nearly 900,000 euros The process of compensating for damages in multi-apartment buildings’ shared spaces is still ongoing The damage to municipal infrastructure is measured in millions While we fully understand the need to improve the stormwater management system in the city we have already developed projects for this work several years ago neither the state nor the EU funds have allocated money for these tasks and we are now launching projects with ready-made plans aiming to invest more than 11 million euros in stormwater management projects in the city in the coming years This will undoubtedly be one of the key tasks for the next few years – strengthening the city’s internal security Further work has been done to mitigate climate change – we continue modernizing street lighting in the city having rebuilt lighting on 70 street sections reaching 70% of the city’s public lighting network a biodegradable waste processing plant has been built will help reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills in the long term and promote the return of resources to the economy we plan to continue researching the use of green energy in the city’s vehicles – we will be testing a hydrogen-powered bus for a longer period with its refueling station to be located in the “Gren” company area What are the municipality’s goals for the new year where growth is not possible without the improvement of infrastructure and the development of education This means implementing ongoing projects and starting new ones We will continue improving the educational environment – by building a library and a modern stadium suitable for national defense lessons at Spīdola State Gymnasium We will continue improving sports infrastructure in other schools as well Special attention will be given to the city’s internal security – several projects aim to enhance the civil protection material base and ensure better responses in emergency situations With the introduction of the participation budget we will continue realizing the infrastructure development ideas of Jelgava residents on a broader scale the most valuable thing now is the stable daily life we have achieved – facing challenges Thank you to each Jelgava resident for their involvement Activity is stirring in the Lielupe floodplain meadows where wild horses live —three new foals have already joined the group Visitors to Pilssala island are urged be responsible and observe the horses from a distance the longtime caretaker of Pilssala’s island horses says that the first foal arrived unusually early this year – in January followed by two more foals at the end of February and mid-March around 90 Polish Konik horses roam the Lielupe floodplain meadows “The most important thing for wild horses is freedom The first two factors are always present in the meadow around 90 tons of hay or 450 hay bales are provided for the large herd,” says E The horse caretaker adds that there are several more mares are currently expecting meaning that April and May will bring a baby boom with over ten more foals expected this does not guarantee such a large increase in numbers “Life in a wild horse herd follows its own rules—survival of the fittest and a robust immune system can handle various challenges but natural process of selection in the wild congenital conditions (birth defects) cannot be resolved even with medical help staying with its mother for the first two years until it is expelled and they have to take care of themselves,” explains E He adds that a mare’s fertile period begins at three years old and the high number of females in the herd ensures a stable population increase each year as they engage in fierce battles to prove their dominance stallions assert their status and demonstrate their ability to continue their bloodline This leads to the formation of smaller groups both through natural generational changes and by relocating horses to new homes Polish Koniks from the Lielupe floodplain meadows have been relocated to Finland and Estonia “Polish Koniks are intelligent and friendly horses that While wild horses typically live around 20 years those in domestic care can live up to 30 years,” he notes As visitor numbers to Pilssala island increase with the arrival of spring it is essential to respect the horses and observe them from a distance It’s understandable that both children and adults may want to pet the little foals but not all mares are tolerant of human attention they may perceive it as a threat and become aggressive stallions are unpredictable at this time of year as they engage in fights and gallop around The horses move freely across Pilssala island often gathering near the observation tower Visitors who wish to feed the horses should follow strict guidelines: “If you really want to feed them Scatter the food across a wide area to prevent fights over food never feed the horses from your hand or approach them with food which can make them intrusive or even aggressive,” says E visitors should be aware that from April 1 to June 30 the northern part of Pilssala island will be closed to protect nesting birds in the meadows “The area beyond the second fence and observation tower is under strict protection meaning any unauthorized human presence is strictly prohibited and subject to administrative penalties,” explains E It is important to note that in some places the area is surrounded by an electric fence and attempting to enter the prohibited area is also dangerous a culinary festival called “Tasting in Jelgava” will take place in Jelgava and its surroundings residents and visitors of the city will be invited to embark on a culinary adventure enjoying special offers from restaurants and eateries in Jelgava and Jelgava Municipality The spring “Tasting” will feature both regular participants in the event “Grauda Spēks” will surprise visitors with new flavor combinations while “Brokastnīca” in Jelgava and “Pūteļkrogs” in Jelgava Municipality will return with their offerings and a manor will offer their unique versions of “Tasting” meals food enthusiasts can enjoy offerings from: “Brokastnīca” visitors will be welcomed by “Masti Grill & Chill” and it is only fitting that the spring “Tasting” event will be dedicated to the city’s jubilee a special offer called “Taste Jelgava 760 grams” has been created Each restaurant will offer a “taste bouquet” in 760 grams This concept is not just a numerical element – it symbolically connects to the city’s history and development over the centuries The 760-gram meal will offer guests not only a culinary experience but also the opportunity to feel the historical story through food Each participating restaurant will interpret this idea in its own way: some will include references to Jelgava’s culinary heritage while some will surprise guests with local products and flavor combinations visitors can enjoy dishes like creamy perch soup with smoked butter and onion ash sour milk vanilla cream with caramel sauce slow-cooked beef stew in red wine with vegetables and potatoes It should be noted that some restaurants will offer their special meals on specific days of the week Bistro “Silva” will offer “Tasting” dishes from March 24 to 28 from 11 a.m “Noliktava Nr.2” from March 25 to 29 from 12 p.m The Abgunste Manor will welcome guests on March 28 at 7 p.m. “Grauda Spēks” will host guests on March 29 at 12 p.m. “Svētes klubs” will offer their dishes on weekdays from March 24 to 28 from 3 p.m The “Chocolate & Pepper” restaurant will offer their dishes on weekdays from 3 p.m. Guests are encouraged to book tables in advance at the participating restaurants to ensure the opportunity to enjoy the prepared offers “Grauda Spēks” and Abgunste Manor will welcome guests only with prior ticket purchase The menus for the “Tasting” event as well as the working hours of the participating eateries will be available soon on www.visit.jelgava.lv and Taste Jelgava profiles on Facebook and Instagram as well as on the website of the Jelgava Catering and Hospitality Industry Association at www.tastejelgava.mozello.lv The “Tasting in Jelgava” event takes place twice a year – in spring and autumn The event is organized by the Jelgava Regional Tourism Center in cooperation with Jelgava City the Jelgava Catering and Hospitality Industry Association In order to learn about the swimming training program and understand how the training process is organized representatives of the Jelgava Specialized Swimming School have traveled to Carmel a sister city of Jelgava in the United States “We plan to attend both morning and evening swimming training sessions at Carmel High School as well as meet with fitness and swimming coaches Our goal is to familiarize ourselves with their training program and see if we can take anything from it and implement it in our daily work,” says Aldis Trukšāns Deputy Director of the Jelgava Specialized Swimming School coach Veronika Gorškova has also traveled to Carmel The Jelgava representatives also hope to explore the city and its sports infrastructure as well as learn more about Carmel’s sports life It should be noted that this exchange program is one of the initiatives of the cooperation agreement between Jelgava and Carmel developed by Latvia’s Honorary Consul in Indiana and the President of the Carmel Sister City Committee as well as artists and cultural groups from Jelgava Carmel is a city in the state of Indiana with a population of more than 100,000 it became the thirteenth sister city of Jelgava and the first sister city in the United States and Honey Festival and the 22nd Latvian Cheese Day visitors will have the opportunity to meet bakers and dairy product producers from all over Latvia while cheese producers will be located in the square behind the cultural centre “We are once again in for a true gourmet celebration The event’s focus remains on a healthy lifestyle and Latvian food products so we invite you to take the opportunity to taste and discover new flavours A variety of offerings to suit all tastes is guaranteed!” says Mintauts Buškevics the head of the municipal institution “Kultūra” will be present at the grand market in Duke Jacob’s Square and a taste truck with activities for children – producers will once again provide a range of creative activities to engage visitors and introduce them to their products The Latvian Beekeepers’ Association will invite visitors to explore the “Power of Nature in a Spoon of Honey” – sharing stories and educational activities about the diversity of honey along with engaging in informative activities about bees and honey where the Latvian Bakers’ Association together with aspiring bakers and pastry chefs from Jelgava Craft High School will offer insights into “why rye bread makes you strong” the focus will be on the traditional Latvian dessert – bread soup which will be served to guests while introducing them to the programs and trades taught at the school the young specialists will invite participants to take part in a survey about the daily consumption of rye bread and as a token of thanks for their participation visitors will be offered a hearty slice of rye bread from various bakeries The most active guests will also receive a festive bread ring as a souvenir at the end of the event there will be performances throughout the day by the folk dance ensemble “Lielupe” the ensemble “Tandēms trijatā,” and the post-folklore group “Rikši” a variety of creative workshops will be available making “puzuri” (traditional Latvian decorations) Visitors can capture colorful memories of the event at the “Endless Sensations Story” creative photo corner Latvian Cheese Day will be organized by the “Cheese Club” association Visitors will have the opportunity to taste and purchase at least 70 varieties of cheese and other dairy products from Latvia’s largest companies and farmers from all regions There will be four gourmet stations to explore At the station “I’ve come to strengthen you” the offerings will include cheese dishes or dishes made with cheese prepared according to traditional Latvian recipes such as a decorated pig’s head with a Smiltene cheese hat These dishes will be served by the chefs from “Ēmužas” farm in Talsi Municipality The station “I’ve come to make you shine!” will feature confectionery prepared by Zemgale’s homemakers including a cake with “Smiltene’s” cream cheese At the station “I’ve come to surprise you!” the team from Ogre Technical School will offer a selection of cheeses the station “I’ve come to tempt you!” will be filled with 66 kilograms of Jāņi cheese These special Latvian products will be presented for tasting by the “Cheese Club” and the Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre the traditional Jāņi cheese crown-changing ceremony will take place in the square behind the cultural center this crown and the prestigious title have been passed from one producer to another for 19 years celebrating their craftsmanship and the tradition of Jāņi cheese making visitors will also be treated to 15 large Jāņi cheese wheels a cottage cheese braid competition will be held to find new flavors for this traditional Latvian treat whose recipe dates back over 100 years and is now almost forgotten Contestants will present their creations to both the jury and guests the event will be enlivened by an attraction featuring Dainis Zariņš – one of Latvia’s strongest men and a world champion in log lifting – who will pull an 11-tonne milk truck Visitors will also be treated to musical performances during the event – the square behind the cultural center will echo with songs by Jelgava artist Toms Auza followed by a performance by schlager musician Kaspars Antess accompanied by pianist Anatolijs Livčs and saxophonist Raivo Stašāns By attending the event, participants agree to be filmed and photographed. The recorded material may be broadcast, reproduced, and distributed without restriction. For more information on the processing of personal data by Jelgava Municipality, please see HERE Jelgava residents are starting to move around more intensively by bicycles and electric scooters Students also actively use bicycles to get to school and extracurricular activities The Jelgava municipal police urge parents to discuss traffic rules and safety regulations with their children to ensure responsible participation in road traffic when riding bicycles or e-scooters drivers are encouraged to pay extra attention to vulnerable road users—cyclists and e-scooter riders the municipal institution “Pilsētsaimniecība” issued approval to SIA “Bolt Services LV” for the placement and operation of shared mobility vehicles in Jelgava for 2025 Residents using rental transport should be aware of the city’s restrictions regarding parking and speed limits Important traffic rules for cyclists and E-Scooter riders The Jelgava municipal police remind residents that according to the Road Traffic Regulations and the Road Traffic Law Residents using rental e-scooters should note that parking and speed restrictions apply in the city the maximum permitted speed for rental e-scooters is 10 km/h Rental service providers operating in Jelgava must ensure that their systems integrate all city-specific restrictions riders are advised to wear high-visibility clothing or reflective elements during low-visibility conditions Jelgava Municipal Police encourage responsible cycling and e-scooter use to ensure the safety of all road users Compliance checks are conducted by both the Jelgava Municipal Police and the State Police The year 2025 marks Jelgava City’s 760th birthday To highlight the significance of this celebration a visual identity and guidelines for the 760th anniversary have been developed The main elements of the logo include the name of Jelgava State City the symbolic combination of the anniversary year’s numbers transitioning into the city’s silhouette Let’s take pride in our city and create a festive atmosphere together The logo design for the anniversary identity features the number 760 as the central element It incorporates vibrant colors symbolizing Jelgava’s dynamic and diverse character bringing a festive joy to our city while showcasing how varied we the inscription “Jelgava ANNO 1265” highlights the city’s founding year emphasizing its long and significant historical journey As part of the upcoming festive decorations in the urban environment and the overall visual concept for the celebration six greeting banners will be placed at various entry points into the city Each of them will proudly feature Latvia’s largest animal and the symbol of Jelgava – the moose the moose majestically carries vibrancy and festive sparkle into the city on its impressive antlers It is up to each of us to make this city’s anniversary year truly special The highlight of the anniversary year – the city’s birthday – traditionally celebrated at the end of May These shared celebrations unite us and reaffirm: We are Jelgava To create a cohesive identity for the anniversary year’s events and to foster a festive atmosphere and organizations are encouraged to incorporate Jelgava’s anniversary symbolism into their souvenirs and materials Materials for approval must be submitted to the email address marketings@jelgava.lv Approval is required to ensure the consistent use of the logo and to prevent its improper application if they have to commute to work in Rīga recent changes to railway timetables mean two popular commuter choices have gone missing. Trains previously left Jelgava at 6.08 and 6.19 I noticed that two morning trains from Jelgava have been removed: at 6.08 and 6.19 They arrive in Rīga at 6.53 and 7.04 respectively A significant number of Jelgava residents travel on these two trains to get to Rīga for work these trains have been replaced with trains from Jelgava at 5.38 and 6.38 which arrive in Rīga at 6.25 and 7.25 respectively because the first of the trains arrives in Rīga too early and the second too late." Passenger Zaiga also believes that the new timetable does not encourage people to use public transport instead of their cars Now I – and I think I am no the only one – am faced with a dilemma: be late for work or use the car and add to the traffic jams in Rīga and ignore the most realistic and greenest option," said Zaiga Some of the Jelgava residents surveyed by Studio 4 were aware of the changes in train schedules Some of them also emphasized that the train to Rīga should run more often in the morning Passenger rail operator "Pasažieru vilciens" stated in a press release: "A new train timetable has come into effect from December 15 which includes changes on all railway lines After assessing the demand for transport services as well as the availability of other forms of public transport the number of train departures on certain routes and times has been reduced while at the same time increasing the number of trips on other routes." Train and bus routes are monitored and approved by the Road Transport Directorate which makes changes to the route lists once a year Its representative Viktors Zaķis said that in Europe it is common practice to adjust transport schedules on the second Sunday of every December adjusting them both according to infrastructure and flows there is probably one reason for the dissatisfaction It is the line that is currently being reconstructed It is planned that the repair work on the Jelgava track section will be completed in mid-2025 the time that passengers will have to spend on the train will be significantly reduced while the flow of trains on several sections of the road is possible only on one track Vivi explained to Latvian Television that the disruption of train traffic this morning was not due to snow but due to human error it failed to do so correctly The train Jelgava (7:46) - Riga (8:33) was canceled for technical reasons as well as Riga (7:44)-Jelgava (8:29), Jelgava (8:46)-Riga (9:33) stood at Olaine station waiting for an oncoming train the train Jelgava (619) - Riga (7:04) is standing at Olaine station for the same reason with an expected delay of about 90 minutes the train Riga (6:14)-Jelgava (7:01) on the Baloži-Jelgava section was canceled while the train Riga (7:19)-Jelgava (8:04) runs with all stops from Baloži station 30 artists from 13 countries started work on creating sculptures for the 26th International Ice Sculpture Festival competition in Jelgava team sculptures are being created on Pasta (Post) Island the sculptors will complete 45 competition sculptures in total—15 team works on Pasta (Post) Island and 30 individual art pieces which will be placed on Jānis Čakste Boulevard impressive team sculptures are being created on Pasta (Post) Island — each team sculpture uses approximately two tons of ice To ensure the ice stays intact and prevents it from melting where the sculptures are protected from changing weather conditions such as sun This environment allows the ice to retain its clarity and durability The team sculptures are expected to be completed by Wednesday evening the artists will focus on creating individual sculptures which have been allotted a day and a half for completion visitors will also be able to enjoy other ice installations in Pasta (Post) Island and on Jānis Čakste Boulevard and ice attractions and games at the public skating rink on Pasta (Post) Island These objects are already prepared and are currently stored in freezers until their placement in the festival area and Japan will bring to life theories of the universe’s origin The artists will depict the human connection with space incorporating ideas about colonized planets and possible encounters with other life forms the 26th International Ice Sculpture Festival will take place in Jelgava with a diverse program for children Artists known in Latvia and Lithuania will perform: Dzelzs Vilks and the festival will conclude with performances by Intars Busulis and the Abonement Orchestra three exciting puppet shows will take place: “Clowns in Space U-ta-ta!” by Tigris Events “Paw Patrol’s New Mission” by Jogitas Pasākumi and “Shurumburums and the Universe’s Rabbits” by Ādolfs Alunāns Jelgava Theatre young viewers will enjoy: the concert show “Dunce to the Moon” by the Creative Association “Pasaku nams,” the play program “Captured on New Planets” by the Surprise Carousel and the puppet performance “Universe Bunny” by Jelgava’s New Theatre We remind you that the Ice Sculpture Festival is the largest and only ice sculpture competition in the Baltic States bringing together talented artists from around the world and offering visitors a unique opportunity to admire breathtaking ice artworks that combine creativity During the festival, city visitors are also encouraged to explore other tourism attractions in Jelgava. More information about tourism opportunities during the festival days can be found at www.visit.jelgava.lv For more information about the festival’s program and ticket sales, click HERE Tickets are available at all “Biļešu Paradīze” sales points and at the website bilesuparadize.lv The International Ice Sculpture Festival in Jelgava is organized by the Jelgava city and the institution “Culture” in collaboration with the companies “Ramirent” and “Husqvarna.” The resulting materials will be used for event coverage and promotion on the organizer’s website and social media as well as for publicity materials to inform the public about organized events in the public interest and to reflect budget expenditure and preserve cultural and historical heritage Latvijas Futbola federācijas (LFF) Klubu licencēšanas pirmās instances padome ceturtdien gada sezonas dalībnieku atbilstību prasībām licences piešķīra deviņiem no desmit pamata pretendentiem Pēc licences atteikuma "Valmiera FC" klubam dalībai sacensībās tika apstiprināta licences pirmā rezerviste FS "Jelgava" Lēmumi pieņemti pēc klubu licencēšanas procesā atrunāto kritēriju atbilstības pārbaudes infrastruktūras LFF A licence pēc visu noteikumos paredzēto kritēriju pilnvērtīgas izpildes piešķirta "Riga FC" Pieciem klubiem noteiktās kritēriju kategorijās konstatētas nepilnības nosakot papildus termiņus to pilnīgai izpildīšanai: Attiecībā uz "Valmiera FC" iesniegtajiem klubu licencēšanas dokumentiem konstatēts juridiskie un sociālās atbildības kritēriji daļēji ir izpildīti infrastruktūras un personāla kritēriji bet LFF A licences piešķiršana nav iespējama saistībā ar neizpildītiem finanšu kritērijiem – parādi pret kluba darbiniekiem/spēlētājiem noteikumu 64 kas saskaņā ar noteikumiem neļauj piešķirt licenci kuri iesniedza klubu licencēšanas dokumentus pamatojoties uz to sportiskajiem rezultātiem 2024 licences pretendentu statuss tika piešķirts arī FS "Jelgava" un JDFS "Alberts" klubiem FS "Jelgava" klubam kā licences pretendentu pirmajam rezervistam sekojoši piešķirta LFF A licence dalībai čempionātā janvāris – pilnīgai finanšu kritēriju izpildīšanai (nākotnes finanšu informācija) gada virslīgas čempionātā ir atkarīga no iespējamajiem Apelāciju padomes lēmumiem "Valmiera FC" licences nepiešķiršanas sakarā Izrietot no licences piešķiršanas pirmajam rezervistam un desmit komandu nokomplektēšanas dalībai sacensībās JDFS "Alberts" kluba kā otrā rezervista pieteikums netika izskatīts Foto: Sanita Ieva Sparāne / tonybetvirsliga.lv ka arī Nākotnes līgas perspektīvakie tiesneši šomēnes piedalījās Starptautiskās Futbola federāciju asociācijas (FIFA).. pašmāju klubu futbola augstākā līmeņa turnīrs martā LNK Sporta parkā tika aizvadīts LFF Superkauss Duelī starp pagājušās sezonas virslīgas čempionu FC RFS un.. Ice sculptures will be on display at Pasta (Post) Island for a fee throughout this week – every weekday from 11 AM to 8 PM located behind the ice rink and playground is still accessible only with a purchased entrance ticket The island will be fully accessible again from February 24 The ice sculptures can be viewed every day from 11 AM to 8 PM and children under 7 years old can enter for free the festival’s ice art was created by 35 sculptors – five of them made photo sculptures while 30 sculptors participated in the festival competition representing 13 countries in total – Latvia They reflected their vision on the theme “The Story of the Universe” Online food delivery couriers can still register with the Food and Veterinary Service (FVS) until March 1st 147 individuals are registered in the FVS register in Jelgava as providers of this service it was required that food couriers register with the FVS by February 1st in order to provide services registration has now been extended until March 1st out of more than 2,200 applicants checked in Latvia 43 individuals were found to have lost their legal status to reside in Latvia The FVS has informed the Citizenship and Migration Affairs Office and the State Border Guard about this the Head of the Public Relations Department of the FVS informs that none of the registered online couriers in Jelgava are without a residence permit in Latvia The FVS reminds that anyone wishing to work as an online food delivery courier must register with the FVS. Couriers who do not register with the FVS by March 1st will be denied access to placing orders on distance selling platforms. Further information about registration is available on the FVS website HERE Registration of online couriers involves more than just including personal data in the register the FVS will verify whether the person has a valid residence permit and whether the person is registered with the State Revenue Service When providing an address where the person can be reached if it is not their declared address in Latvia the person must also provide justification for their right to be there The FVS emphasizes that it will continue monitoring couriers at food distribution points as well as in catering and retail businesses that use couriers to ensure food delivery The FVS points out that the register of businesses and individuals involved in the food sector is public It is available on the FVS website at www.pvd.gov.lv in the “Registers” section where all public FVS registers can be accessed To specifically view the food delivery couriers register enter “Online Food Delivery Courier” in the “Activity Types” field and the district or city in the relevant location field then click “Search.” The register will list all registered online food delivery couriers in that area Jelgava Regional Tourism Centre has developed a graphic plan of Vecpilsētas Street Quarter in Jelgava which includes a schematic map and a brief description about prominent objects of Vecpilsētas Street Quarter how this 18th century building has been restored and gain insight into the lost wooden architecture of old Jelgava and by assistance of audio guide and interactive exhibition everyone can imagine the features of the old Jelgava The tour of Jelgava Old Town House will take approximately one hour Visitors are welcome from Tuesday to Saturday from 10.00 to 18.00 o'clock and on Sunday from 11.00 to 17.00 o'clock Jelgava Old Town House also offers rent of meeting premises for organisation of various lectures seminars and master classes for up to 30 persons Zemgale Restoration Centre accommodates metal textile and ceramic products restoration workshops the equipment of which meets the modern specifics and needs of restoration works The environmental object “Laika rats 100” created by the sculptor Kārlis Īle is dedicated to the centenary of Latvia and depicts significant persons and events in the history of Latvia over a period of 100 years This environmental object displays 10 stylised figures of persons arranged in a circle opposite to whom everybody can see own reflection thus emphasising that the country is formed by each of us At the House of Latvian Traditions and Crafts visitors can get acquainted with the delicate work of weavers and also have a chance to sit at the loom themselves Also various Latvian master classes and educational programmes are available Special offers are available for newly married couples on their wedding day as well as a possibility to rent the spacious yard for various social events The House of Latvian Traditions and Crafts is open for visitors from Tuesday to Saturday from 10.00 to 18.00 o'clock and on Sunday from 10.00 to 15.00 o'clock Near the House of Latvian Traditions and Crafts visitors can view a memorial sign for Dobele Gates The sign dedicated to Dobele Gates is installed at the location of the historical town gates thus marking one of eight gates of Jelgava of the 17th century Whereas the Road of Nails – 800 nails made by a blacksmith of Jelgava and hammered into sidewalks of the town – mark the location of the old town defensive wall and the town borders The road leads from the intersection of Uzvaras Street and Ausekļa Street to the intersection of Dobeles Street and Vecpilsētas Street The material is available free of charge at Jelgava Regional Tourism Centre or download at the website www.visit.jelgava.lv We use cookies and similar methods to recognize visitors and remember their preferences We also use them to measure ad campaign effectiveness By tapping 'accept,' you consent to the use of these methods by us and third parties You can always change your tracker preferences by visiting our Cookie Policy Page An informational material “Jelgava in Numbers 2023” has been prepared and published on the municipality’s website aligning with the design of the Jelgava municipality’s public report from last year The material includes key figures and facts about the city’s population as well as attracted investments and the Jelgava municipality’s budget resources and expenditures Various types of municipal social assistance were provided to 2,175 residents in 2023 These and other facts about the social sector including the distribution of benefits by type and target groups as well as assistance to Ukrainian civilians can be found in the informational report section “Social Sector and Healthcare.” The section also includes information about the number of doctors in the city 42 family doctors were practicing in Jelgava with 1,566 patients registered with each family doctor facts and figures are provided regarding the funds invested in street reconstruction in Jelgava the number of vehicles by energy source type as well as the number of violations detected by video cameras Statistics from the Jelgava municipal police reveal that last year 430 video surveillance cameras were operating in the city information is available about cultural events and their attendance the number of overnight stays in accommodations requests for tourism information by residents’ origins as well as sports events and sports club activities the most visited tourist sites in the city last year were the Lielupe floodplain meadows and the Ģederts Eliass Jelgava History and Art Museum The most active involvement by Jelgava residents was in sports such as swimming you can learn about the largest projects started during the reporting year as well as find detailed information about project funding while the “Budget Resources and Expenditures” section provides insight into the structure of the basic budget’s revenues and expenditures The informational material “Jelgava in Numbers 2023” is available HERE it will mark the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine To show solidarity with the Ukrainian people Latvian residents are invited on Monday at 9 AM to take a moment to pause their daily activities and unite in a collective moment of silence remembering and honoring the victims of the Ukrainian people an ecumenical service will be held on Monday at 6 PM at the Holy Anne Pro-Cathedral in Jelgava reaffirming that we in Latvia are not tired of the war and are ready to stand with Ukraine until its victory It is worth noting that on February 24, Latvia will commemorate the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine. We invite you to follow the updates on Ukraine’s support initiatives on the website www.kopalidzuzvarai.lv Ainārs was the only mayoral candidate nominated This was the third time that Jelgava Municipal Council tried to elect a new mayor after the resignation of the then-mayor Madars Lasmanis in April this year due to an ambiguous video scandal Two previous attempts to elect a new mayor failed and the council worked for several months without a chairman September 20 was the last day by which the council had to elect a chairperson or provide an explanation for not electing a chairperson as requested by the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development Ainārs is expected to hold the post of chairman for 9 months Rundāle Palace informs that from November 4th to November 26th the exhibition “The Courland Dukes’ Tombs” at Jelgava Castle the tombs will be open to visitors five days a week the exhibition will be open to visitors from Wednesday to Sunday It should be reminded that the Courland Dukes’ Tombs in Jelgava Castle is the largest burial site of its kind in Latvia and one of the few royal dynastic burial sites in the world that is open to the public It contains 21 metal sarcophagi and nine wooden coffins in which 24 members of the Kettler dynasty (1569–1737) and six members of the Biron dynasty (1737–1795) are buried For more information about the exhibition, visit https://rundale.net/ The organizers of the Jelgava Night Half Marathon inform that the date of the event has been changed The marathon will now take place on August 22 — one day earlier than previously announced For participants who have already registered, their participation will also be valid on the rescheduled date. More information, including details on refunds, is available on the website www.jelgavaspusmaratons.lv or by e-mail info@balticevents.lv Patrol Police Division inspectors Gints Burba and Andrejs Endzenbergs have returned from Jelgava’s sister city Carmel in the USA They spent two weeks working alongside Carmel police officers gaining insight into their daily operations The inspectors worked for two weeks with the Patrol Division officers of the Police Department and participating in training sessions with the K-9 unit They also visited the county jail and were involved in other activities related to daily police work as well as enhancing their knowledge through theoretical and practical training provided by Carmel Police Department employees ‘This was a very valuable trip – we gained new practical and theoretical knowledge that we can apply in our daily work at Jelgava Municipal Police We acquired new experience in police communication during call-outs interactions with drivers when stopping vehicles and checking documents as well as practical skills in organizing the detention of individuals who have committed thefts in private properties,’ said Jelgava Municipal Police Inspector G It should be noted that during the exchange the Jelgava Municipal Police officers also participated in a reception hosted by the Mayor of Carmel and attended the opening of the new Police Department building representatives of the Carmel Police Department have reiterated their desire to continue the successful collaboration which allows police officers from both cities to gain new knowledge and skills It is expected that representatives from the Carmel Police Department will soon visit Jelgava Municipal Police as part of the exchange program four Jelgava Municipal Police officers have participated in the exchange in Carmel while two Carmel police officers were hosted in Jelgava last September The police exchange program is one of the initiatives resulting from the cooperation agreement between Jelgava and Carmel developed by the Honorary Consul of Latvia in Indiana (USA) and President of the Carmel-Jelgava Friendship Committee According to information published on the "X" website the organization is appealing to people who could help with the relocation of the animals Latvian Television observed that the animals were being evacuated with the help of volunteers Information on social networks shows that the animals have been taken to the animal shelter "Labās mājas" "Now we are trying to do what we can still do We are all underwater," representatives of the shelter told LETA news agency Streets in Jelgava were already flooded on the evening of July 28 the municipality urged people to stay at home or at least not to use private transport the Jelgava municipality said that 6,400 customers in the municipality were without electricity there were disruptions in internet communications and water supply A quarter of the annual normal rainfall occurred overnight At the Ģederts Eliass Jelgava History and Art Museum a retrospective exhibition of Imants Lancmanis’ works titled “Imants Lancmanis’ Painting” has been opened “62 years have passed since I declared: I need a realistic brush-painted alternate world—a precise depiction of this world and my imagined one on canvas though the themes have changed over the years—it’s about what is important for me to express and show,” the artist Imants Lancmanis describes his exhibition The exhibition will be on display at the museum from November 16 to January 5 Realistic conceptual romanticism – this is how artist Imants Lancmanis defines his creative work where a synergy is found between an enthusiastic heightened perception of the world and vivid imagination The current retrospective exhibition showcases paintings created from 1958 to the present allowing visitors to explore the artist’s refined personal style and his classical painting approach The exhibition includes works from cycles such as “Kalētu Barn,” “Oaks of Latvia,” “Easter Visions in Latvia,” “Bible Stories,” as well as portraits and compositions—a concentrated reflection of the artist’s creative journey three paintings are being presented to the public for the first time I cannot simply focus on depicting beautiful landscapes—I feel the need to express what I feel and think and epidemics have the power to alter the destinies of individuals and entire nations I continue to explore the somber theme of the Dance of Death bearing the challenging title ‘Peasants from the Broken Carousel Falling into the Abyss of Uncertainty Together with Death’s Soldiers,’ reflects on the unfortunate reality that suffering and calamities persist The Latvian peasants and the carousel symbolize the precarious situation we live in while the Abyss of Uncertainty represents the looming and unsettling sense of the unknown,” the artist explains The exhibition also features an expanded series of paintings about Peter I Russian Tsar Peter I learned of a rebellion by the Streltsy regiment in Moscow where around two thousand Streltsy soldiers were publicly executed The harsh punishment was a result of the rebels embodying an obstacle to his dream of a reformed and Europeanized Russia tens of times more lives are being sacrificed in war for an ideal—but this time for Russia’s departure from Europe,” Imants Lancmanis reflects on this grim paradox brought to life as an allegory for modern times in his series of paintings about Peter I Lancmanis acknowledges that the inspiration for such somber themes stems in part from personal experience—memories and fears from his childhood during the war in 1944 when he was just three years old everything is kept in balance; the exhibition also includes joyful landscapes and still lifes “I believe it is my duty to address dark themes The responsibility for the world’s suffering must be countered with the pursuit of goodness and beauty It’s essential to show that the world is wonderful—nature which represent an unmatched union of morality and ideals I can’t stop asking the question that haunts me: why must this world be ravaged and destroyed That’s the essence of my work—not naive enthusiasm This allows me to look beyond what has happened to people and draw the main conclusion: though catastrophes are terrifying in themselves and they have one beautiful characteristic—they invariably lead to renewal It is our responsibility to act in a way that makes us worthy of welcoming that renewal,” Lancmanis explains Imants Lancmanis’ artistic journey experienced a hiatus during his intensive work as the director of the Rundāle Palace Museum where he researched and documented art history and taught design principles at the Latvian Academy of Arts for 17 years Certain sections of the exhibition highlight these facets of his creative work showcasing the stages of painting development through photographs and sketches “All my paintings are driven by the need to present them in a believable way—what is now considered true contemporary art Photography is one of the tools I use to study these details Many of my paintings were created with my museum colleagues posing for me they enacted everything from Golgotha scenes to dances That’s why I want to reveal this process of creating art to the audience,” Lancmanis emphasizes from everyday scenes to intricate figurative compositions Yet a unifying element persists—each piece invites viewers to observe “I am indifferent to formalist painting One reason is that it’s hard to connect with it intellectually It seems that with installations or abstractions it’s harder for people to immerse themselves there’s no need to feel bewildered because the message is visible my painting can be didactic and moralizing belongs to those forms of culture and civilization that are essential They educate and encourage self-reflection,” concludes Lancmanis The exhibition includes works by Imants Lancmanis from the collections of the Latvian National Museum of Art the future Latvian Museum of Contemporary Art The exhibition will be on display at the Ģederts Eliass Jelgava History and Art Museum until January 5 On the morning of August 2 the water level rose rapidly Streets next to the river have already flooded and the water is fast approaching Jelgava Municipal employees are visiting houses and informing them of the risks and possible evacuation. Residents in need of assistance or evacuation are invited to report to the Municipal Operational Information Centre at 8787 or email [email protected] The most dangerous situation is currently in the village of "Atpūta" as well as several roads and small streets There is no information on how many people could be affected by potential flooding Forced evacuation is not currently considered but residents are urged to "pick up whatever you can" and go to relatives in advance if the situation is risky without leaving everything to the last minute the State Fire and Rescue Service has surveyed the river from Jelgava to the Lithuanian border But the authorities want more information from Lithuania so they can predict how much water might be coming in from the neighboring country.  the “Summer Signs 2024” festival will take place on Pasta Island Visitors will be welcomed by the largest sand sculpture park in the Baltics where 17 professional sculptors from 10 countries will reveal their interpretations of the theme “World Fairy Tales” through sand art The festival will also traditionally feature concerts by Latvian musicians and a wide-ranging entertainment programme for families with children the sand sculpture park will offer visitors the opportunity to travel through time and around the world immersing themselves in a fairy tale kingdom with folklore and fairy tale characters and Kotigoroshko from Ukrainian fairy tales are just a few of the characters depicted in sand showcasing their stories and reflections while also impressing with technical execution Fifteen professional sculptors from Indonesia and Latvia will create the sand artworks for the 18th International Sand Sculpture Festival competition The park’s most grandiose artwork will be the demo sculpture traditionally created by Latvian sculptors Kārlis and Maija Īle Artists will start working on the competition sculptures on Pasta Island from the 1st of June On the opening days of the summer festival visitors will not only enjoy sand art but also a grand event programme popular Latvian musicians – “Zelta kniede” and “Līvi” – will perform on the “Mītava” open-air stage there will be a concert by the folk dance ensemble “Diždancis” titled “For Our Joy throughout both festival days on Pasta Island various family-friendly events will take place a musical performance “Honey Cake” by the pop group “Lai skan” The programme will be further enriched by creative workshops The sand sculpture park will be open from 10 AM to 1 AM on 8th June and from 10 AM to 11 PM on 9th June Tickets can be purchased at “Biļešu paradīze” ticket offices and online Tickets bought in advance until 7th June will be cheaper The ticket prices are as follows: €10 for adults tickets with a Jelgava resident card and “Jelgavas Vēstnesis” coupon can be purchased at the Jelgava cultural centre ticket office The ticket price with a Jelgava student ID is €4 and with a “Jelgavas Vēstnesis” coupon or Jelgava resident card is €7 Children under the age of 7 can enter for free Alunāns Jelgava Theater play for children “Šurumburums beyond the nine lands” 12:00 pm – Carousel of surprises “A day of celebration” 1:00 pm – SIA “YOGITAS PASĀKUMI” game program “Pippi Longstocking’s unexpected adventures” 11:00 am – Jelgava New Theater play for children “Once upon a time…” 12:00 pm – Pop group “Lai skan” musical “Honey Cake” 1:00 pm – SIA “Jogitas pasākumi” play program “Book of Wonders” 2:30 pm – “Carousel of Surprises” musical “Sweet colorful wonder” The “Summer Signs 2024” summer festival in Jelgava is organized by the City of Jelgava and the institution “Kultūra” in collaboration with the main sponsor The event visitor agrees to be filmed and photographed. Recorded material may be broadcast, reproduced and distributed without restriction. Detailed information on personal data processing in Jelgava Municipality is available HERE participants of the camp “Jelgava – Mītava” – 29 children and young people along with five accompanying teachers from the sister city Ivano-Frankivsk in Ukraine – met with the city leadership at the Jelgava City Council Jelgava Primary School “Valdeka” Development Centre is hosting the second group of children and young people from our sister city – orphans of fallen defenders in the Ukraine war and children and young people from Ukrainian soldiers’ families This group will also stay in Jelgava for two weeks This camp offers the children a chance to momentarily forget their hardships and experience positive emotions A two-week program has been prepared for the children and young people from Ivano-Frankivsk allowing our friends to get to know Jelgava by visiting the city’s tourist attractions with visits to Tērvete Nature Park and other locations The camp participants will also have the excellent opportunity to take part in various masterclasses – in decoupage The camps in our city are made possible thanks to the support of entrepreneurs Companies that responded to the municipality’s call to participate in providing the camp include SIA “Evopipes” Jelgava will traditionally become a kingdom of ice sculptures – the city will host the 26th International Ice Sculpture Festival Preparations for the event have already begun the municipal institution “Culture,” point out that this time the participants of the Ice Sculpture Festival and every visitor will become part of a magical journey where imagination meets space and the ethereal beauty of dreams transcends the boundaries of reality This year’s ice sculpture competition will invite artists to explore the theme “The Story of the Universe,” embodying the wonders of space and revealing the mysteries of planets in the glitter of ice Each sculpture will take viewers on a journey through the cosmos It should be noted that the jury will select sculptors who will have the opportunity to realize their sketches in ice The selected artists will create their works in Jelgava’s urban environment from February 1 to 7 when the festival’s opening will take place and visitors will be able to appreciate the sculptors’ work from February 7 to 9 Sculptors can submit their sketch projects on the website festivali.jelgava.lv until November 19 The festival’s regulations are also available there Continuing the successful cooperation between Jelgava and our sister city Carmel in the USA this week two Jelgava Municipal Police officers have gone to the state of Indiana for a two-week exchange visit They arrived in the USA today and will start working with Carmel law enforcement officers from Monday 15 July – joining joint patrols to get an idea of police work in the USA This type of police exchange first took place last year – in August two Jelgava Municipal Police officers went on a two-week exchange to Carmel two officers from the Carmel Police Department spent two weeks with our city’s municipal police Jelgava Municipal Police received an invitation for its officers to participate in the exchange programme again this year who has been with the police for five years who has ten years of service with the municipal police Police representative Paula Liepa noted that the officers chosen to go to the USA were selected through an internal competition The main requirement was good English language skills along with job performance and work experience with the Jelgava Municipal Police the Jelgava Municipal Police inspectors will begin working with the Carmel police officers it is a great opportunity to see how police work is organised in another country Enzbergs anticipates that after this exchange visit there will definitely be some tactical aspects and nuances that can be applied in their daily work It is planned that our police officers will work with the Carmel law enforcement officers daily until 31 July to gain insight into the daily operations of the Carmel Police Department They will also meet with the Honorary Consul of Latvia in Indiana and the Mayor of Carmel participate in K9 police dog handler training and take part in both theoretical and practical police training Carmel police officers will be hosted by the Jelgava Municipal Police on an exchange visit giving them the opportunity to learn about our police’s daily operations a restorer at the Ģederts Eliass Jelgava History and Art Museum and the director of the Zemgale Restoration Centre has received the Hungarian state award “Silver Cross of Merit.” She was honored for the restoration of V This artwork is very significant in Hungarian history The painting was part of the exhibition at the Courland Provincial Museum in Jelgava until World War II after which its fate was unknown until it was rediscovered in Jelgava The restoration of the painting took 10 years – the painting was in very poor condition the painting has been on display in the museum’s exhibition when we celebrate Lāčplēsis Day and Latvia’s Proclamation Day Jelgava has been decorated for the national holidays Decorations have been set up in various areas of the city five flag decoration structures have been installed along with flag decorations on lighting poles along the sidewalk leading to the Jelgava Cultural Center the branches of trees in Duke Jēkaba Square are illuminated with red and white LED lights banners in the national flag colors have been installed on the lighting poles along Lielā street Flag decorations also adorn other locations in the city They have been installed at the intersection of Riga street and Loka maģistrāle avenue in the green area near the Jelgava Railway Station at the intersection of the Lietuvas šosejas and Miera street and at the junction of Kalnciema ceļa and Vecais Ceļš Flag decoration groups with fluttering national flags are also placed near the Strazdu street bus stop on Riga street and at Satiksmes street 59 Similar ones can be found at the corner of Alunāna park as well as at the junction of Riga street and Brīvības bulvāris corner and red “Shoots” decorations are located in the traffic roundabout on Pasta street while on Dobeles šosejā near the Alley of Love there is an optical decoration with the Lielvārde belt motif The majority of the city’s decorations are illuminated The lighting is switched on during the night in coordination with the city’s street lighting The Mayor of Jelgava did not predict how much damage had been caused to the city in monetary terms as all the damage is still being identified "I don't want to say the amounts at the moment we are seeing how much damage there is and schools and kindergartens have been affected It would be very inaccurate to say the amounts now," Rāviņš said.  The Jelgava City Council Speaker pointed out that repairing the damage would affect the municipality's budget for next year Jelgava is focusing on providing support to the low-income.  "We are currently making binding regulations so that we can assist low-income people who have been affected as quickly as possible and that is about €1,000 that we could quickly give to people as assistance," Rāviņš said.  "We have spoken to the Minister of Finance about the need [for aid] and there have also been talks about attracting financial assistance from the European Commission [...] The amount that is needed will be large and very urgent." Rāviņš also noted that it would take two to three months to repair the damage.  said that the municipality's first estimates suggest that the damage caused by the storm is at least €11 million when we sent the information on the collected data to the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development We have tens of thousands of trees that have been cut down and we have not yet calculated all the trees There is very extensive damage to several neighborhoods [...] The amount will definitely increase because all the services for pumping out the water have been outsourced in a crisis," noted Sprogė.  The President of the Jūrmala City Council also pointed out that it would take at least two months to repair the damage in the municipality.  To strengthen cooperation in the field of culture the folk dance ensemble “Lielupe,” consisting of 22 people The dancers will represent Jelgava at the International Arts Festival in Carmel Responding to the invitation from the Jelgava and Carmel Sister City Committee “Lielupe,” under the leadership of Elita Simsone has prepared a special dance program and will perform a total of nine shows in the USA The main performances will be given for the residents of the sister city The International Arts Festival is very significant bringing together talented artists from the USA and other countries in Carmel’s Arts & Design District The event is attended by around 30,000 people over two days the festival takes place on the 28th and 29th of September in Carmel where the folk dance ensemble “Lielupe” will deliver its longest performances showcasing the richness of Latvian culture and traditions through dance our dancers will also perform for the Latvian-American communities further strengthening ties with compatriots outside Latvia “Lielupe” has represented Jelgava and Latvian folk dance traditions at various international events and this visit to the USA is yet another testament to the ensemble’s high artistic level The ensemble has previously performed in the USA The 26th International Ice Sculpture Festival will take place in Jelgava from February 7 to 9 at Jānis Čakste Boulevard 35 sculptors from 13 countries will bring their vision of the "Story of the Universe" to life in ice the event area will be open from 18:00 to 22:00 when the festival will be officially opened and the competition winners will be awarded while 3Live Project will create a positive atmosphere on Jāņa Čakstes Boulevard The evening will be complemented by laser light shows and concerts featuring performances by the bands Dzelzs Vilks and Citi Zēni the entrance to the festival will be from 11:00 - 22:00 On the stage of Jāņa Čakstes Boulevard visitors will be able to watch duels of sculpture-making demonstrations a dance performance by hip-hop studio Backstage Art Center More information on the festival's official website. An album presentation concert "Slavic Folk Songs" takes place February 7 at 20:00 Rīga St Saviour's Anglican Church (Anglikāņu Street 2 Slavic Folk Songs is a collection of polyphonic folk songs and sacred chants from various Slavic nations Arranged for two voices by Ansis Bētiņš and Artūrs Čukurs in various techniques characteristic of specific Slavic singing traditions paying special attention to songs from the currently occupied regions of Ukraine More on the Facebook event. Tallinas Street Quarter is back with another winter minifestival with alt-rock/psychedelic rock band Purple Negative and shoegaze Bēdu Brāļi on stage The mini festival takes place at the cultural venue Angārs (Tallinas Street 10 Entrance starts at 19:00. More on the Facebook event. To allow the children from Jelgava’s sister city in Ukraine and make new friends after a school year spent in wartime conditions is organizing a camp for them in our city called “Jelgava – Mitava” consisting of 29 children and young people is participating in the camp at Jelgava Primary School “Valdeka” – Development Centre the second group of camp participants will arrive the camp participants met with the Chairman of Jelgava City Council the Jelgava municipality received a letter from the mayor of the sister city Ivano-Frankivsk our city host a camp for the orphaned children of Ukraine’s fallen defenders and primary school-aged children living in Ivano-Frankivsk These children suffer from depression and live in constant anxiety and the camp would provide them an opportunity to forget their traumatic experiences In solidarity with Jelgava’s sister city the municipality is organizing a camp in July at Jelgava Primary School “Valdeka” – Development Centre named “Jelgava – Mītava” up to 60 children and young people aged 10 to 17 years along with 10 accompanying teachers from Ivano-Frankivsk Each group will stay in Jelgava for two weeks in collaboration with specialists from other municipal institutions will organize various activities for the children – excursions The guests will be introduced to the city by visiting different places and will also go on a tour around Latvia Companies that responded to the municipality’s call to participate in providing the camp include SIA “Evopipes” SIA “AKG Thermotechnik Lettland” SIA “Ceļu būvniecības sabiedrība “Igate”” SIA “RIMI Latvia” and SIA “Lidl Latvia” will be held on September 6th from 1 PM to 6 PM at Pasta Sala with a diverse program aimed at promoting engineering and technical creativity through engaging activities The festival will also feature the traditional “Minox Zemgale” invention and innovation exhibition motor sports enthusiasts are invited to the “Rullītis” sports and recreation complex Jelgava-based companies will again play a key role in the event offering insights into career opportunities in engineering at their stands The long-standing partner of “Mehatrons,” the Association of Mechanical Engineering and Metalworking Industries The festival is also designed to welcome children and students allowing school classes to plan educational excursions to “Mehatrons.” and Jelgava Vocational School will present their educational programs for STEM professions and offer hands-on workshops to explore the practical aspects of these careers The “Junda” Creative House at Pasta Sala will introduce its extracurricular education programs for the new school year and the open-air concert hall “Mītava” will host a Technical Creativity Day featuring STEM activities Latvia’s University of Life Sciences and Technologies will also highlight the diversity of engineering and the wide application of knowledge in this field The Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology will showcase and provide hands-on experiences with a robot platform The Faculty of Forest and Environmental Sciences will offer a game on environmental issues allow visitors to test surveying instruments and demonstrate the strength and durability of wood the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Technology will involve participants in food experiments allowing them to produce food products using technological cards Attendees can also learn about the potential of artificial intelligence through workshops focused on meaningful AI usage high school students can attend a special masterclass where Jelgava native and “RocketGrip” co-founder Aksels Zingulis will discuss how to lay the foundations for successful entrepreneurship in school and lead a workshop on “How to Start an Online Business While in School.” At the Metalworking Training Park stand, located at the Zemgale Regional Competence Development Centre, a professional skills competition in MAG welding will take place. Both skilled professionals and beginners (18 years and older) are invited to demonstrate their abilities. More detailed information on how to apply for the welding competition is available HERE At the “Minox Zemgale 2024” exhibition works by inventors of different generations will be on display ranging from students’ first steps in the world of innovation to inventions that have already become successful businesses The best inventions will be determined by public vote It should be noted that from 6 PM to 11 PM at the Pasta Sala car park near the white vase, a car sound challenge tournament will be held. As is traditional, anyone passing by will have the chance to assess the cars and their sound systems during the competition. More information on how to participate and the competition rules can be found at www.mehiem.lv a 360 video spinner will be available at Pasta Sala where visitors can instantly receive the videos taken on the platform on their phone or by email The full event program is available online at https://ej.uz/Mehatrons2024 By attending the event, visitors agree that they may be filmed and photographed, and that the footage may be broadcast, reproduced, and distributed without limitation. More detailed information on data processing by the Jelgava Municipality is available HERE.