Happy Spring everyone and Happy Birthday Imanta! This month Imanta celebrates 76 years!  For those of you who don’t know, Imanta was founded on March 4^th, 1947 and registered as a society a few days later on March 8^th. Despite all the challenges we are still an active society and the oldest active Latvian organization in Canada. We are hopeful that we can keep Imanta up and running for many more years.

One of Imanta’s founding members, Viola Baker, celebrated her 101st birthday last month. Peter Green, an active member in the past, celebrated his 102nd birthday.  Helen Richards, who is still an active member and volunteers often, celebrated her 95th birthday. These milestones are remarkable achievements!

Our annual general meeting was held on March 11, 2023. The members of Imanta’s executive for the coming year are: Nelda Kononova, Ed Rudzitis, Linda Payne, Liesma Mithrush, Jon Goor, Zane Vendelina, Ena Rudovics and Lasma Bobkova. We are fortunate and grateful to have these dedicated board members.

UPCOMING DATES AND EVENTS

March 25, 2023 – Latvia commemorates the victims of the 1949 deportations and communist genocide. Forty-two thousand Latvian residents were shuffled into cattle trains and taken to Siberia on that day. Many deportees died on the way and the ones who survived spent years in the northern regions of Russia, fighting for survival in inhumane conditions. Ukrainian cities have become the modern history of violence in Europe in 21st century. We need to help Ukraine any way we can by demonstrating solidarity with Ukrainian people in the fight for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. We honor the civilians and armed forces personnel who died as a result of Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine.

May 4, 2023 – Latvia marks the 33^rd anniversary of the Restoration of Latvia’s Independence. As well as speeches and parades, recent years have seen a new tradition taking root which brings friends and families together around a “white tablecloth” to share memories of the past and hopes for the future. On May 4th everyone is encouraged to gather around a table clad in white and share photos and videos on social media with the hashtag #mans4maijs or #BaltaisGaldauts.

 June 6^th & 7^th,  2023  – Volunteers are needed for our upcoming casino event. Our involvement in AGLC casinos helps us to keep running our cultural events, scholarship and senior’s programs.  Without the funding that AGLC distributes to us, we would not be able to keep these programs going. Please consider signing up for a shift. We will even provide you with a meal! The casino event will run from June 6th to 7th, 2023 at Yellowhead Casino, 12464 – 153 Street, Edmonton. We are using ‘SignUp’ (the leading online SignUp and reminder tool) to organize our upcoming casino event. Information for volunteering has been posted to our website in the previous post. Signing up is simple and easy, just click on the following link to see what spots are available and sign up! Volunteer Sign Up

June 24, 2023 -We are pleased to confirm that our Ligo celebration will be held on Saturday, June 24th at Laurier Heights Community Hall and park, 14405 85 Avenue, NW, Edmonton with a potluck style get together. We are looking forward to meeting our old friends and always open to meeting new friends and supporters of Imanta! More details will follow at a later date.

Other News

Imanta’s name is now displayed on the donor wall in Fort Edmonton Park in recognition of the donors and sponsors of the historical Johnny J. Jones Midway at Fort Edmonton Park. In 2021 Imanta dedicated 20 lightbulbs on the Midway to ‘Latvian Society Imanta members, past and present’. Our society has a rich history to celebrate and it is wonderful to be a part of this historical and educational park. Imanta’s Latvian school continues to be active and teachers, Zane Vendelina and Inga Goba, continue doing an excellent job introducing and educating children about Latvian culture, traditions, history, and language.  The school is in session twice a month for approximately 2 hours on Saturdays. Our school also receives support from the Latvian Language Agency and has a Latvian library of children’s books.

Imanta is donating to support Pro Coro Edmonton in a CD recording project featuring the Choral Music of Latvian Composer Ugis Praulins. The project is scheduled to take place in October 2023 with a CD release date in December 2023.

Imanta continues it’s friendship with the Edmonton Garrison Military Family Resource Center.  In 2021 the military project “ Follow their Footsteps” was started and was up and running in May 2022. The goal was to introduce military families, whose spouses were deployed or will be deployed to Latvia, to help add a positive spin on this deployment.  The program includes various sessions ranging from learning about Latvia and its traditions, to language and food.  Members of Imanta have participated in this program with presentations about Latvia, led question and answer sessions and had coffee workshops with military spouses, whose loved ones are already deployed to Latvia.  We are very grateful for the Canadian Military presence in Latvia and are determined to continue our relationship.

Imanta is always looking for volunteers and for those who would be interested in joining us on the executive board! If you are interested, please contact us. For the latest posts and news visit our website often or sign up to receive email notifications whenever new information has been posted. You are always welcome to email us with any suggestions or questions at imantaedmonton@gmail.com

The following certificate was sent to Imanta from LNAK (Latvian National Federation in Canada). It acknowledges IMANTA’s selfless volunteer work for the good of Canadian Latvian society. The last phrase reads “The strength and vitality of our (LV) society is based on the selfless participation of each individual member. That is the truest confirmation of love for one’s nation.” The recognition is greatly appreciated by Imanta!

IMANTA is once again pleased to announce our self-administered scholarship program for the 2022/2023 education year, funded by the ongoing casino program and governed by the regulations of the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission.

Scholarship Eligibility

The scholarship is open to:

1. Alberta residents who are Canadian citizens, landed immigrants, or foreign students on visa and are registered as full or part-time students as defined by the accredited or licensed educational institution
2. Applicants who are registered in a Continuing Education course related to a career goal

Eligible Institutions

All accredited post-secondary educational institutions in Canada. Such institutions include universities, colleges, polytechnics and trades training institutions that the Advisory Committee is satisfied are duly accredited or licensed.

Scholarship Award Criterion

All applications will be evaluated by an advisory committee, consisting of at least one IMANTA board member and two members from the community at large, which will present recommendations to the Executive. IMANTA’s Executive retains final decision-making authority over the selection of scholarship recipients.

Application Process

All applicants must complete and submit the attached application form along with the requirements as listed on the form. Applicants will be required to submit official receipts of tuition paid before any monies are distributed. The deadline for scholarship applications relating to enrollment in the 2022/2023 fall/winter program or 2023 spring/summer program must be received by IMANTA no later than November 1, 2022. Awards will be announced by November 30, 2022. Payment will be made directly to the individual upon submission of proof of attendance (i.e. official tuition receipt) at the recognized educational institution.

Scholarship Application 2022-2023

Submit applications by email, with a read receipt, to:
The Edmonton Latvian Society ‘Imanta’
Attn: Adjudication Committee
imantaedmonton@gmail.com

The Latvian Embassy is planning a mobile passport station in Alberta sometime between late spring to early summer. Please write to consulate.canada@mfa.gov.lv if you are in need of this service. This will help them plan their trip to Alberta and BC. Any questions regarding passports should be sent to the consulate in Ottawa. The more requests they receive directly from you, the better they are able to plan.

Greetings to all our members and friends!

The past two years has transformed nearly every aspect of our world. Our friends, family, colleagues, and communities have had their lives changed in critical ways that could have much longer-lasting effects. Living through a global pandemic has driven dramatic shifts in our jobs, eating habits, childcare, gatherings and even our collective sense of time. Virtually no one has been left untouched after so many months of such disruption. A generous dose of empathy and understanding will make us all stronger as we rebuild and remake our world in the year ahead.

Imanta will celebrate 75 years on March 8^th! It was founded in 1947 and we can be proud that it is the oldest active Latvian organization in Canada. This is a remarkable achievement considering our location and distance from other large centres! We are looking forward to celebrating this achievement with all of you, hopefully in near future. And can you believe this, one of its founding members, Viola Baker will celebrate her 100^th birthday this month!

We are very proud of our past president, Ena Rudovics who received a special award from PBLA (Pasaules Brivo Latviesu Apvieniba). Ena was awarded for her many years of doing an outstanding job running and guiding the Latvian Society in Edmonton.

We are also very proud of our Latvian School children and teachers who continue to work during the pandemic. Our teachers Zane Vendelina and Inga Goba have received a Special Recognition Diploma from LNAK, (The Latvian National Federation in Canada) Educational Branch for their continuous work with children during the pandemic.

Our 2021 scholarship program recipients were announced in December. Congratulations to Andrea, Raivo, Luke, Gita, Daniel, Marena, Caitlyn, Felix and Liva! Since this program commenced in 2010, Imanta has awarded 119 scholarships for a total of $250,000!

LNAK board elections are on until March 5th. If anyone is interested please click the LNAK link for information on becoming member and voting. LNAK website link

Our Imanta annual general meeting will take place end of March or beginning of April. More information to come. It is a new year and Imanta membership fees are due for all of our members. Membership information can be found in ‘Forms’ on our website. Memberships that were purchased in September, October or December 2021 are considered to be current for 2022. All paid members will receive the minutes of last years AGM in a separate mailing. There will be a draw for one member to win a one year subscription to Latvia Amerika Newspaper.

For latest posts and news revisit our website often or sign up to receive email notifications whenever new information has been posted. You can also email us with any suggestions or questions: imantaedmonton@gmail.com

IMANTA is once again pleased to announce our self-administered scholarship program for 2021/2022, funded by the ongoing casino program and governed by the regulations of the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission.

Scholarship Eligibility

The scholarship is open to:

1. Alberta residents who are Canadian citizens, landed immigrants, or foreign students on visa and are registered as full or part-time students as defined by the accredited or licensed educational institution
2. Applicants who are registered in a Continuing Education course related to a career goal

Eligible Institutions

All accredited post-secondary educational institutions in Canada. Such institutions include universities, colleges, polytechnics and trades training institutions that the Advisory Committee is satisfied are duly accredited or licensed.

Scholarship Award Criterion

All applications will be evaluated by an advisory committee, consisting of at least one IMANTA board member and two members from the community at large, which will present recommendations to the Executive. IMANTA’s Executive retains final decision-making authority over the selection of scholarship recipients.

Application Process

All applicants must complete and submit the attached application form along with the requirements as listed on the form. Applicants will be required to submit course registration confirmation and receipts for tuition paid before any monies are distributed. The deadline for scholarship applications relating to enrolment in the 2021/2022 fall/winter program or 2022 spring/summer program must be received by IMANTA no later than November 1, 2021. Awards will be announced by December 15, 2021.

Payment will be made directly to the individual upon submission of proof of attendance (i.e. tuition receipt) at the recognized educational institution.

Submit applications by email, with a read receipt, to:

The Edmonton Latvian Society "Imanta"
Attn: Adjudication Committee
imantaedmonton@gmail.com

Greetings to all! We are hoping everyone is safe and healthy these days and are enjoying the warm weather outdoors.

Imanta is now a part of the historical Johnny J. Jones Midway at Fort Edmonton Park. Imanta dedicated 20 bulbs to Latvian Society IMANTA members, past and present. Imanta will also celebrate 75 years next year; we have a rich history to celebrate and it is wonderful to be a part of this historical and educational park where we can always come together and visit for many years to come.

Our Annual General meeting and elections were held in March and the Executive Positions are as following:

President– Nelda Kononova, Vice-President – Ed Rudzitis, Treasurer – Liesma Mithrush, Secretary – Linda Payne, Auditor – Jon Goor, Members At Large: Ena Rudovics, Zane Vendelina, Inta London, Jon Goor.

We thank everyone for their volunteer efforts and continuous involvement to keep Imanta active and alive. All Imanta Executive members are volunteers and are not the same as employees. Their participation is truly voluntary, and they are critical to the success of our organization.

Join us for our annual tree planting anniversary. All are welcome! Sunday, June 13^th  at 11:00 a.m. Our tree is planted at Monsignor William Irwin Park, 9814 110 St., close to the Grandin School and the LRT station. Please follow the Covid protocols that are in place at that time. In a joint effort across Canada, oaks or linden trees were planted in 2018 to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Latvian Independence. Imanta choose to plant a linden tree for our Centennial Tree. Every year we commemorate the tree planting by gathering and remembering the anniversary.  It has become a tradition to do this around June14th, Commemoration Day of Victims of Communist Terror. This June will be the 80th Anniversary of the deportation of Latvians in 1941.

It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of our members. Their support will be remembered always and is already greatly missed.

Due to Covid uncertainty we have decided to move our Summer Solstice 2021 to a safe celebration in 2022!  Mark your calendar for June 24^th to 26^th, 2022. Start planning for a great Ligo/ Jani, email us your ideas and get involved!

Svētku vainagā iepiniet: (For your Līgo/Jāni wreath)

Ozola lapas – spēkam un veselībai, Oak Leaves for strength and health,

Rudzupuķes – skaistumam, Cornflowers for beauty,

Magones – auglībai, Poppies for fertility

Pīlādzi pret ļaunu aci, Rowan for protection from evil eye,

Margrietiņas – mīlas degsmei, Daisies for love.

Priecīgis Līgo Svētkus! Happy Summer Solstice!

Have a great summer everyone!

Join us for our annual tree planting anniversary. All are welcome! Sunday, June 13th at 11:00 a.m. Our tree is planted at Monsignor William Irwin Park, 9814 110 St., close to the Grandin School and the LRT station. Please follow the Covid protocols that are in place at that time.

In a joint effort across Canada, oaks or linden trees were planted in 2018 to commemorate the 100^th Anniversary of Latvian Independence. Imanta choose to plant a linden tree for our Centennial Tree. Every year we commemorate the tree planting by gathering and remembering the anniversary.

 Interesting facts about linden trees:

Oaks and lindens are considered the national trees of Latvia. The oak and the linden tree are characteristic elements of the Latvian landscape. Both trees are still widely used for medical purposes. Medicinal infusions are made of linden blossoms as well as oak bark. Latvian dainas (folk songs) often reflect ethical and moral concepts of earlier times and these folk songs most often mention the oak and linden tree.

In traditional Latvian folk beliefs and folklore the linden tree is looked upon as a female symbol, but the oak – a male symbol. The nation’s reverence for these trees, which in earlier times were considered sacred, can be witnessed, for example, in a landscape where, in the middle of a cultivated field there still remains a lone large, sacred oak or linden tree.

In October 2020 the Latvian central bank put out a linden leaf coin.

Lindens are one of the most attractive ornamental trees because of their symmetrical growth habit.

Lindens are hermaphroditic, having perfect flowers with both male and female parts, pollinated by insects.

Lindens are very important honey plants for beekeepers. The flowers are also used for herbal tea and tinctures.  They have active ingredients which include flavonoids (which act as antioxidants).

The linden wood is white and soft, its grain is very fine. A popular wood for model building and for intricate carving.

Edmonton Latvian Society Imanta wishes a Happy and Better New Year to all of our members and friends and hopes everyone stays safe and healthy. Like for many organizations, this past year has been much more different for Imanta. We were not able to celebrate our events or meet in person and still are not able to.

Our annual general meeting will take place on Monday, March 29th, at 7pm via Google meet. All current members will receive the minutes of last year’s meeting via email with a link to join this meeting. We will post the link on our website on the 29th or a few days before. Come back and check the website often. Those who purchased their memberships in September 2020 are considered current members. Information on how to purchase a current membership can be found here: https://imanta.ca/membership-form/

HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE 2020 YEAR:

Latvia’s 102 Anniversary on November 18th Independence day was celebrated by lighting up the High Level Bridge in Edmonton in the colours of the Latvian flag. A short dance video was filmed at the end of October as a part of a country wide compilation for November 18th Independence Day celebration. This video was sent to LNAK (Latvian National Association in Canada) and is now available to view at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCfTayx3JuI&t=60s This was the first virtual event for the Latvian community in Canada celebrated from coast to coast.

There was also the first virtual musical Latvian-Christmas sing along from different Canadian Latvian musical families. The video is available for you to watch on our December 29th post.

Our 2020 scholarship recipients were announced in December. Congratulations to Nicole, Gita and Daniels. Imanta is proud to announce that since the scholarship program commenced in 2010, we have awarded 100 scholarships for a total of $231,000. We are very grateful to have the AGLC casino money which allows us to continuously sponsor our scholarship, seniors taxi, and our children’s programs.

Our children’s program/school was reopened for classes last September but was not able to continue in class activities due to Covid-19. Teachers are finding creative ways to connect with children and parents in many different ways.

Seniors taxi vouchers are still available for transportation needs. Please email us if you need more vouchers.

One of our members, Peter Green, just celebrated his 100th Birthday on February 22nd! Imanta congratulated Peter on reaching this important milestone and wished him good health and happiness. A few of our members went to sing for Peter in his driveway. It was great to see Peter in good spirits and singing along to one of the songs. The Latvian Ambassador to Canada, Karlis Eihenbaums, also sent a letter of congratulations to Peter and also personally called him on February 22nd. Imanta will celebrate 74 years on March 8th, and one of its founding members, Viola Baker, just celebrated her 99th Birthday !

Ligo 2021 is still likely to be affected by Covid-19 and provincial health restriction guidelines, but we will keep you informed. For the most up to date information on what’s happening in Imanta you can always visit us here on our website or follow us on Facebook. You can sign up to receive automatic notifications by email whenever new information is posted to our site. Just scroll to the bottom of our webpage and enter your email address!