Former Latvian Foreign Minister Jānis Jurkāns is set to return to Latvia this summer after five years living abroad, according to reports in the Latvian media.
The return marks a significant change for Jurkāns and his wife, Linda Apse, who have maintained a long-distance relationship during this period. Apse described a typical day including frequent calls with her husband, often including video chats showcasing scenes from Riga, hoping to entice him with familiar sights like the Āgenskalna market, where he enjoys purchasing fish. “With Jānis, we talk and call each other ten times a day,” Apse stated, as reported by Kas Jauns.
Jurkāns intends to return to Latvia at the end of June, bringing an end to the separation. Apse, a lecturer at the Riga Juridical Faculty, acknowledged the challenges of frequent travel to visit him, stating that it was not as simple as visiting family in Latgale. She currently divides her time between Latvia and Spain, spending approximately 80 percent of her time in Latvia and 20 percent in Spain.
Jurkāns, who previously served as Latvia’s first Foreign Minister after regaining independence, has expressed his longing for his homeland and his wife. He believes, however, that distance does not inherently diminish a relationship. “At the heart of any relationship are certain elements. And the most crucial thing is friendship. First, your partner must be your friend, someone you can open your heart to and trust. And a friend trusts you. You trust this person and sense safe because you have a honest relationship,” Jurkāns said.
Reports from April 2023 indicated Jurkāns had already returned to Latvia for a brief visit, having lived in Spain for three years prior. He sold his property in Liepupe in 2020 for 220,000 euros and chose to spend winters in Spain, initially staying with acquaintances before renting a home in Andalusia. Apse likewise spends time with Jurkāns in Spain when her lecturing schedule allows.
Apse recently sold her home in Mežaparks for 660,000 euros to composer Kārlis Lācis, but has stated she has no plans to relocate permanently to Spain, emphasizing her commitment to her work in Latvia. She enjoys the climate in Spain, describing it as an ideal place to relax, but maintains that her life is centered in Latvia.
