The third networking event was successfully held on 17 May 2026 at Ārdava Manor in Preiļi Municipality, bringing together guests from Latgale and across Latvia — remigrants, expats, people with international experience, and local residents. This time, special attention was also given to families: a broad programme of activities kept both adults and children engaged, creating the atmosphere of a true family garden party.
The event “Worlds Meet in Latgale” was opened by Zanda Grauze, Ambassador-at-Large for Diaspora Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia, who visited Latgale together with her colleague, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Artjoms Uršuļskis. Zanda Grauze particularly noted that remigration is not only about returning home — it is also new energy, experience, and opportunities for the entire region.
In her speech, the new remigration coordinator in Latgale, Jeļena Mihasenko, emphasised that she is extremely pleased by the number of active and motivated remigrants who have believed in their region and returned in order to build Latgale’s future together.
The hosts of Ārdava Manor, Maija Krasnā and her husband Jamie Henebry, gave a short and inspiring account of the manor, their own return, and emphasised that they were delighted by the large number of participants. This time, more than fifty guests from Latgale and across Latvia enjoyed the remigrant networking event and its activities.
After the brief opening speeches, a tasting of herbal teas collected in Latgale by the farm “Kurmīši” became a bridge for establishing new contacts and starting friendly conversations. For more than 25 years, the family farm of Ivars and Sandra Geiba, “Kurmīši”, has been offering residents of Latvia and tourists herbal teas grown and collected by the family themselves. The herbal tea fields of the farm “Kurmīši” are located in the ecologically clean and scenic territory of the Daugavas Loki Nature Park. In order not to destroy the natural habitats of medicinal plants, around 40 types of herbal teas have been cultivated in the “Kurmīši” herbal tea fields since 1994.
Everyone at the event could find an activity close to their heart. Some spent time in warm conversations, while others enjoyed active pursuits, trying their hand at archery and showing children their skills in board games. No one was left indifferent by the traditional Latgalian spring activity — tasting sorrel soup. Cooked over an open fire, the soup certainly became a delicious highlight of the overall garden party atmosphere.
Creative souls enjoyed workshops organised by artists Jekaterina Griškjāne and Jeļena Ondzule. Jekaterina Griškjāne is an artist, designer, and book illustrator who returned to Daugavpils after living in Germany. Jekaterina has illustrated more than 40 books and cooperates with publishers around the world. During the event, the artist presented her books and led a workshop on making bookmarks.
Artist Jeļena Ondzule lives in Daugavpils and works at the Children and Youth Centre “Jaunība” as a non-formal education teacher. In her daily work, Jeļena inspires children and young people to engage in creative activities, while in her free time she paints. Her works are familiar to residents and guests of Latgale thanks to several solo exhibitions. During the event, participants in Jeļena’s creative workshop made colourful and original badges.
Another opportunity to connect with art was offered by Agnese Leikuse and Agnese Birzenberga-Muižniece, artists and founders of the creative workshop “Dzīvie”. During the event “Worlds Meet in Latgale”, the exhibition “The Fading Unfading” was ceremonially opened. It is a photo-poetry exhibition revealing the stories of old, abandoned houses in the Bebrene area. For one of the Agneses, remigration is not an unfamiliar word — she lived in Germany for seven years, and her previous activities were largely connected with life abroad.
A lovely Sunday was spent in heartfelt conversations and active participation, giving the guests of “Worlds Meet in Latgale” vivid emotions, new contacts, ideas for cooperation, and a boost of energy to build a better Latgale together.
The Latgale Planning Region extends special thanks to Ivars and Sandra Geiba and the farm “Kurmīši” for the aromatic and delicious tea tasting; to artists Jekaterina Griškjāne and Jeļena Ondzule for the engaging creative workshops; and, most importantly, to the hosts of Ārdava Manor, Maija and Jamie, for their hospitality, warmth, and support in organising such a large-scale event.