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!

If you missed the concert you can watch it now on YouTube . The link follows below.

We continue to celebrate. There are after all, twelve days of Christmas!!

Here a few of the many pictures taken in Edmonton while the bridge was lit up in the colours of the Latvian flag. The sign to the entrance of the bridge proclaimed to all who drove through it! Various groups and cohorts braved the snowy, cold weather to view the beauty of the site. Latvians of Edmonton are proud to celebrate the 102nd Anniversary of Independence.

IMANTA is once again pleased to announce our self-administered scholarship program for 2020/2021, funded by our ongoing casino program and governed by the regulations of the Alberta Gaming and Liquor 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, or
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 licenced.

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 enrollment in the 2020/2021 fall/winter program or 2021 spring/summer program must be received by Imanta no later than November 1, 2020. Awards will be announced by December 15, 2020. 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: Scholarship Advisory Committee
• imantaedmonton@gmail.com

Greetings to all the new and returning students for this new school year!!! We are resuming Latvian classes in September! Everything is a little different this year.. but we are still prepared to keep the school running with safety protocols in place. Classes still start at 11am and are held in Laurier Community Hall.

Dates for September are as follows: 

📚September 13th

📚September 27th

More dates will be added later. Please email us if you will be returning or would like more information:

zanegara@gmail.com 

Edmonton Latvian Society Imanta will still be offering our annual scholarships to applicants for the 2020/2021 terms. Due to Covid our plans for implementation of the application process has been delayed. We are working on getting the information on the application process out to you and ask for your patience. Our plan is still to have the awards given out before the year end, although the timelines for submitting the required information may be shorter than in previous years. Applicant information will be posted on our website when it becomes available. Sign up to become a follower on our website and you will be notified by email of any new posts!

AS IMANTA MOVES FORWARD:

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PAST PRESIDENT
Change is good and necessary, and it’s a bonus when it happens in a positive manner. After twelve years as IMANTA’s president, I would like to thank the executive, all board members and community members for the wonderful experience of working together and creating memories. It has been a privilege, and now I’m delighted to announce that IMANTA has a dynamic and creative new leader. Continue reading → May 2020 Newsletter

May 4th is ‘Declaration of Independence Day’ and is known locally as ‘Latvijas Republikas Neatkarības atjaunošanas diena’ and commemorates Latvia’s independence from the USSR in 1990.

Best wishes from all of us to all of you!

On May 4, 2020 Latvia marks 30th anniversary of the Restoration of Latvia’s Independence. The Latvian government and Latvian Embassy in Canada are inviting everyone in these difficult times to do a “White Tablecloth Celebration” in our own homes. We are invited to remember, cherish togetherness and the gift of living in a free country and share that we are strong together during many difficult times. 🇱🇻🇨🇦 Link below to read more and get great ideas from Latvian government on how we can celebrate. Take pictures and share them with us how you celebrate May 4th.

White Tablecloth Celebration

It’s that time of year again!

Our annual general meeting will take place on Sunday, March 15^th, at 1:00pm at the Laurier Heights Community Hall, 14405 – 85 Ave NW.  All members who have renewed their membership will receive the minutes of last year’s meeting through the mail or via email.  If you have not received your copy of the minutes before April 25th or wish to renew your membership please contact us at imantaedmonton@gmail.com.  Coffee/tea/refreshments will be served. Continue reading → Spring 2020 Newsletter