What parts of Latvian culture or tradition are important to you?

Posted on by Indra Ekmane

When I think of Latvian culture, I think of the variety of food, dances, songs and signs that have been around for generations. 

The dancing part of our culture has a special meaning because the clothing being worn has its own special meaning. There is special clothing the dancers wear that was made generations ago and survived DP camps, other nations trying to ruin our culture, and time. Every clothing piece has Latvian symbols on them that resemble a part of Latvia. Latvian symbols to me have significant amounts of meaning — I have a necklace with a Latvian sign which will forever remind me of my Latvian heritage and the memories held within it. 

Although Latvian symbols have tons of meaning, songs have just as much meaning to them. Our Latvian ancestors made songs that don’t seem like much to an outsider, but a true Latvian knows the hidden meaning of them. I feel as if these examples of Latvian culture are what makes every Latvian feel connected in some way. 

One thing that has survived many, many years is our Latvian food which was made off of the little resources we had. 

— Markus Kalsons, Kursa 2021

Memories: ‘Kursa is a magical place’

Posted on by Indra Ekmane

I’d like to start off with a liels paldies to everyone who helped me attend all four weeks of Kursa this year. During those four weeks I learned more Latvian than I ever thought was possible, and created memories that will last a lifetime. Kursa is certainly a magical place, I’m so glad I had the opportunity to return this year.

One of my favorite things about Kursa is the music; I rarely have the opportunity in my everyday life to sing in Latvian – at Kursa, I’m surrounded by the songs of my culture. You can ask just about anyone, the only time I wasn’t singing was when I was either sleeping or stuffing my face with the phenomenal food the camp has to offer.

I said it last year, and I’ll say it again — skābeņu zūpa is probably the best thing that’s ever happened to me. And that’s not the only delectable dish served at Kursa, from pīragi to pankūkas, everything tastes like it was made in paradise. We’re very blessed to have the kitchen in such capable hands. The stereotype of inedible camp food certainly doesn’t apply here.

I am so very lucky that I was able to have such an extraordinary experience this summer, and I hope that I’ll have the same opportunity to attend next year. So once again, thank you to the Oregon Latvian Society, American Latvian Association, and my wonderful family for making Kursa a reality for me.

— Caleb, 17
Portland, Oregon

Memories: My 4 weeks at Kursa

Posted on by Indra Ekmane

Erlands and Caleb perform for Talent Night.

So go the years, so go the days,
Everything once beautiful will pass
But one memory will always remain
The most beautiful time was ,,Kursa”

My name is Erlands and I am from Liepāja, Latvia. I study at Liepājas Music, Art and Design High School. This is the second year I attended “Kursa.” This year was idfferent from the last in that we had four weeks to spend at Kursa, which allowed us to get to know one another better, and enjoy our surroundings. 

Kursa has its own special traditions and culture: table songs, flag raising, folk dancing, poetry evenings, and, of course, pranks. The school always has a particular goal, with specific and interesting classes that lead to productive results. Kursa has the goal of improving Latvian language vocabulary and experiencing our national culture and traditions. After spending a second year at Kursa, I realize that it is my second home with a big family, where each one of us is special and unique.

I am very thankful to the Latvian community in Seattle and the Bellevue-Liepāja sister cities for the opportunity to attend Kursa, and of course, Indra Ekmanis, who helped me as well. I wish you all the best and hope that Kursa will last forever. See you next year.

Erland
Age 16 | Liepāja, Latvia

Student experiences: Thank you to the OLS

Posted on by Indra Ekmane

Sveiks Ms. Zommere and the Oregon Latvian Society,

I would like to start this letter by saying paldies for the scholarship to attend Kursa. I am amazed how much I learned in 4 weeks! In the first few days of Kursa, I was taught the basic phrases such as “Ka Tev iet?” (For which I often responded “labi”), “Cik Tev gadu?” and “Ka Tevi sauc?” I also learned a little bit on how the Latvian alphabet works and what diacritics do to a letter. As time went on, I began writing the words I learned into a dictionary, and I am proud to say that even though I still have a long way to go, my Latvian vocabulary greatly increased during my time at Kursa.

Along with learning how to speak, write and read Latvian, we learned a lot about Latvian culture. One thing that impressed me about our culture is all the festivals that we celebrate, such as those for the winter and summer solstices. I also learned about Latvian dress, Latvian songs and Latvian dancing. My dad says I became a pretty good polka dancer! In my jewelry and sewing classes, I learned all about Latvian symbols and their meaning. Lastly, I learned a lot about the history of Latvia before it got its independence. Because of this, I now know the meaning of what it is to be Latvian. It means that no matter what happens to your country you must still represent it proudly and never give up on it.

So in conclusion, I loved everything about Kursa! The 4 weeks I spent there were some of the best weeks of my life. Because it was so amazing and because I want to learn so much more about my heritage, I hope to return for the next 3 years and eventually graduate. So paldies again for the wonderful opportunity I was given this summer.

Sincerely,

Connor
Age 15 | Calgary, Canada

Pancakes in the Park
Connor and Dina dance with their classmates at the Pancakes in the Park event hosted by the Shelton Kiwanis Club.

 

Week one at Kursa

Posted on by Indra Ekmane

Kursa Latvian Summer High School began its 42nd year on July 9, a sunny day at the West Coast Latvian Education Center in Shelton, Washington. Kursa gives young people between the ages of 13 and 18 the opportunity to begin or continue their Latvian education, regardless of their Latvian language level. This year, not only have all of last year’s students returned (in 2016 Kursa restarted the program), but an additional 10 students have joined the Kursa family. While Kursa is nominally the West Coast Latvian High School, we not only have students from Washington, Oregon, and California, but also from Minnesota, Maryland, Iowa, and Canada, as well as two returning students from Latvia. Our teachers reflect a similar geography, coming from California, Alaska, Maryland, Oregon, Washington, and Latvia. Together, we form a tight-knit community. We are especially glad that students who may not have previously had the opportunity to be part of Latvian society are able to begin their Latvian education and develop their connection to Latvia with other students here at Kursa.

We have already done a lot in the first week at Kursa. All of our students have taken official Latvian language exams in writing, reading, speaking and understanding. We have begun classes (language, literature, history, ethics and folklore), in which students are grouped by their Latvian language level. Already we have become familiar with some of the brightest Latvian authors, including Vizma Belševica an Imants Ziedonis. Our voices and feet are also moving, preparing for our final program: “Sun and Moon.” We have even made it to the seaside, where we spent a nice day enjoying the Pacific Northwest coastline.

Why have these young people come to Kursa? In their own words:

Ella (14, California): “I want to dance folk dances, improve my Latvian language, and bake pīrāgi.” 

Elmārs (17, Riga): “I want to refresh my folk dance skills, learn Latvian metalsmithing, and help other students learn to speak Latvian. I’m at Kursa because it is a great place to spend time.”

Roland (17, Portland): “I want to learn new words, folk dance, and Latvian history, and meet up with my old friends.”

Zippa (13, Minnesota): “I’m at Kursa because Kursa is great! I can learn about Latvian language, music, and culture. I would like to meet new friends and learn new songs at Kursa.”

 

 

21 days in the Kursa atmosphere

Posted on by Indra Ekmane

Kursa is the first summer camp I have ever been to. I never had any interest in them before. But Kursa is no ordinary summer program, it is something much more than that. My time at Kursa has been full of value and emotion. In just a few days, it felt like one big family. Although I already speak Latvian fluently and am from Latvia, I learned a lot at Kursa: how to forge a new ring, dance folk dances, play chess and write poetry. Kursa is a place for anyone who wants to feel close to Latvia in America. It is a little Latvia, you can see it in the surroundings and in the people. But Kursa also has its own traditions, which I learned about later – or should I say, at night. A big part of Kursa is the “nightlife,” with pranks (good-natured) or walks. After these three wonderfully-spent weeks I can say that Kursa is a place to connect with your Latvianness and meet American Latvian young people. I really hope that I will have the opportunity to come back next year, so that I can continue to enjoy Latvian folklore and life at Kursa.

I would like to thank all those who gave me the opportunity to attend these three weeks at Kursa, especially the initiative of new director Indra Ekmane.

See you soon!

— Erlands Griezītis, 14 (Liepāja, Latvia)
LBVŠ 2016 scholarship recipient

Rotkalšana Kursā
Erlands Griezītis and metalwork teacher, Andris Rūtiņš, create an ethnographic-inspired ring.

Caleb Beideck: First year at Kursa a wonderful experience

Posted on by Indra Ekmane

My first week here at Kursa has been a wonderful experience full of fun and learning. During even such a short time, I have already learned so much about the language and culture of Latvia. I’m sure that thanks to the wonderful teachers, I will continue to learn tons more over the rest of my stay. The staff here are all wonderfully supportive and talented. The food is always absolutely delicious. Every day is a new adventure in my culture. I’m so excited to keep working with my Kursa family. Read more at ALJAziņas.

— Caleb Beideck, 16
ALJA 2016 scholarship recipient

Latvian kitchen 2016
Maija Atvara leads the Latvian cuisine interest group. Students: Anna Akots, Aleks Brainerd, Krišjānis Lūsis, Caleb Beideck, Erlands Griezītis, Lauren Barlow