From 19 to 21 June, the Latgale Planning Region (LPR) Remigration Coordinator, Jeļena Mihasenko, together with her colleague from the Vidzeme Planning Region, Inga Madžule, represented the Latvian Remigration Coordinators' Network at "Bērzes Strazdi", the largest Midsummer (Jāņi) festival held outside Latvia. The event took place in the United Kingdom and brought together several thousand members of the Latvian diaspora, along with their families and friends.
Throughout the festival, informal discussions were held with members of the diaspora at the "Latvia House", providing valuable insights into the everyday lives of Latvians living in the UK, as well as the reasons that led them to leave Latvia. The Latvia House also served as an excellent platform to inform potential return migrants about available government support measures, the practical steps involved in returning to Latvia, and various aspects of the remigration process. In addition, new contacts were established with representatives of diaspora organisations and Latvian institutions, strengthening future cooperation.
Over the course of the three-day festival, the Latvia House was jointly staffed by the remigration coordinators and colleagues from the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), the State Employment Agency (NVA/EURES), Study in Latvia, and the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Latvia House also welcomed several distinguished guests. Baiba Braže, Latvia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, visited the Latvia House to learn more about its activities and spoke with representatives of all participating organisations. Atis Lots, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Latvia to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, personally expressed his appreciation for the work of the Latvian Remigration Coordinators' Network.
To engage families with children, a creative drawing competition with participation prizes was organised. Approximately 70 children's drawings were submitted. The winner was a young girl named Alise, whose drawing depicted her family celebrating Jāņi. Her artwork received the highest number of votes from visitors to the Latvia House.
The Latgale Planning Region will continue its cooperation with diaspora organisations to provide more effective support to every Latvian considering a return to live in the Latgale region. Families and individual return migrants are encouraged to make use of the available support services when planning their own or their relatives' return to Latvia.
For personalised assistance, please contact the Latgale Remigration Coordinator, Jeļena Mihasenko, by email at jelena.mihasenko@lpr.gov.lv or by phone at +371 26769462. Receiving guidance before leaving your country of residence can help reduce bureaucratic obstacles and make the remigration process as smooth, secure, and straightforward as possible.