On 24 May, a special and emotionally rich event titled “Step Into My Shoes” will take place in Tūja by the seashore. The aim of the event is to foster empathy, a sense of belonging, and a deeper understanding of remigrants’ experiences. The event is organised in cooperation with the Vidzeme Planning Region by remigrant Ilze Vītola, who returned to Latvia with her family one year ago after spending 13 years in the United Kingdom.
The event will take place at the Jūras Dzeņi campsite in Liepupe, Tūja, Limbaži Municipality, from 11.30 to 16.30. Remigrants, their families, children, and anyone interested are invited to take part.
The central idea of the event is to symbolically “step into another person’s shoes”. Participants will have the opportunity to take a walk along the seashore while wearing another person’s shoes and listening to audio stories about the life experiences, challenges, courage, and journeys back to Latvia of different remigrants. The audio stories will be available in QR code format and will feature the personal experiences of approximately 10–15 people.
“Every experience outside Latvia has shaped a person — giving them knowledge, courage, values, and ideas. When returning to Latvia, we have a great deal to offer society and one another,” emphasises Ilze Vītola, the author of the event idea.
During the event, participants will not only listen to stories, but also collect natural materials, which they will later use to create personal mandalas and visual works reflecting their feelings and thoughts. A symbolic message to Latvia will also be created together — on a special wooden board, everyone will be able to leave their contribution, experience, or idea that they bring to Latvia.
At the end of the event, participants will share soup by the campfire, have conversations, and build new contacts. The day is planned to conclude with the creation of a symbolic shoe installation on the seashore — a shared story about people, experiences, and the paths that have led them back to Latvia.
Event programme:
11.30–12.00 – Arrival and introductory activities
12.00–13.00 – Walk along the sea and audio experience stories
13.00–14.00 – Creation of mandalas and personal works
14.00–15.00 – Joint message to Latvia
15.00–16.30 – Soup, conversations, and networking
Participation in the event is free of charge.
Registration is open until 17.00 on 22 May by writing to: inga.madzule@vidzeme.lv.