On Sunday, 6 September, the Vidzeme Planning Region networking event for remigrants, “Visiting Returnees” (“Ciemos pie atbraucējiem”), took place in Augšlīgatne, bringing together 30 participants – adults and children. The gathering was held at Sveču namiņš (“Candle House”), where participants were welcomed by Ginta Salmane, a remigrant and the founder of the “Līgatnes Sveces” candle brand. Alongside remigrants who had attended previous events, many new participants joined the gathering, including people who had returned to Latvia only recently.
“Visiting Returnees” is designed as an informal gathering where remigrants and their families can meet, share experiences and discuss issues that are relevant after returning to Latvia. This time, conversations were complemented by shared activities – participants explored Sveču namiņš and learned the story behind “Līgatnes Sveces”, took part in a candle-making workshop, while various activities were organised for families with children. The afternoon continued with relaxed conversations over a shared picnic and around the campfire.
The venue was not chosen by chance. The story of Ginta Salmane, the owner of Sveču namiņš, is also a story of returning home. In 2003, Ginta moved to the island of Guernsey, initially planning to spend only nine months abroad. However, those nine months eventually turned into 23 years. A desire to be closer to her family and her roots brought her back to Latvia, where, together with her childhood friend Māris, a passion for candle-making gradually developed into a serious venture, leading to the creation of Sveču namiņš in Augšlīgatne.
The large number of new participants was particularly encouraging this time. Among them were families with school-age children who had returned to Latvia only recently – shortly before the beginning of the new school year. During the first months after returning, families often have to deal with many practical matters at the same time – helping children settle into school, finding housing and employment, accessing various services and readjusting to everyday life in Latvia. Equally important is the opportunity to meet people with similar experiences and realise that they are not alone in facing their questions and challenges.
At the same time, these gatherings are not intended only for families with children. The event in Augšlīgatne was also attended by people who came on their own, demonstrating that the need for a sense of community, new connections and conversations with others who have experienced life abroad and returning to Latvia is relevant to remigrants from a wide range of backgrounds.
Inga Madžule, Remigration Coordinator at Vidzeme Planning Region, emphasises that the interest in such gatherings confirms the need to continue organising them. Each event brings together not only previous participants but also new people who have recently moved to Vidzeme and wish to meet other remigrants, share their experiences and establish new connections. Therefore, the intention is to continue looking for new and interesting locations across Vidzeme where remigrants can meet in an informal and welcoming atmosphere.
Such gatherings also provide the Remigration Coordinator of Vidzeme Planning Region with an opportunity to hear directly about the questions and challenges people face after moving back to Latvia, what kind of support they need, and what helps them adjust more successfully to life after returning.
Vidzeme Planning Region will continue to organise networking events for remigrants in different locations across Vidzeme, creating opportunities for both recent returnees and those who returned to Latvia some time ago to meet, build new connections and strengthen their sense of belonging to their local community and to Latvia.
About Remigration in Vidzeme
If you are considering returning to Latvia or have already returned to Vidzeme and need information on practical matters, please contact Inga Madžule, Remigration Coordinator at Vidzeme Planning Region, at remigracija@vidzeme.lv or by phone at +371 29374285.
