Riga Resident Shares Intellectual Pursuits and Travel Experiences Amidst Calls for Latvian Patriotism
A resident of Riga has expressed a deep engagement with philosophical fiction and historical literature,currently focusing on the works of Italian semiotician,novelist,and philosopher Umberto Eco (1932-2016). Alongside literary interests, the individual and their spouse are avid travelers, having visited Turkey, Israel, the palestinian territories, China – including Hong Kong and Macao – Thailand, Malaysia, singapore, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan. A recent trip to Australia included visits to Sydney and Cairns,Queensland,where they noted a memorial plaque in Cairns referencing its sister city relationship with Riga,established in 1988. The Great Barrier Reef, located off the coast of Queensland, was highlighted as the furthest destination from riga reached during their travels.
While North Africa has seen limited exploration – with visits to Egypt and Morocco – the individual expressed a strong desire to explore the Americas. Specific interests include Mexico and the ancient civilizations of the Maya and aztec, and also the United States, citing New York City’s museums housing collections of Old Master paintings and the natural landscapes of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming as key attractions.
The Importance of Civic Engagement in Latvia
The individual emphasized the crucial importance of patriotism in the current climate, defining it not merely as sentiment but as active participation in civic duties, such as voting in Latvia’s Saeima (parliament) elections. A call was made for younger generations to prioritize self-enhancement, social engagement, and contributing to the collective good of Latvian society, rather than solely focusing on individual interests. Latvia’s current population is approximately 1.88 million (as of January 1, 2024), and voter turnout in recent elections has been a subject of public discussion.
