Dagnija Lace-Ate: Vitebsk Oblast-Latvia cooperation relies on twinning arrangements

The twinning arrangements between the towns of Vitebsk Oblast of Belarus and Latvia foster sustainable cooperation in the area of self-administration, Head of the Latvian Consulate in Vitebsk Dagnija Lace-Ate told BelTA.

“The ties at the level of self-governing units greatly contribute to the cooperation between Latvia and Vitebsk Oblast. Vitebsk and Daugavpils have developed strong ties, and the cooperation between the administrative centers of Vitebsk Oblast and the towns of Latvia is based on twinning arrangements. At the moment there are around 20 such pairs of twin cities. They expand their cultural and social ties and implement the joint cross-border projects that benefit the territories on both sides of the frontier. We have developed strong ties in the field of self-administration,” the diplomat said.

Dagnija Lace-Ate focused on the cultural ties between Vitebsk Oblast and Latvia and noted that the Vitebsk Marc Chagall Museum and the Daugavpils Mark Rothko Art Center signed a cooperation agreement during the Days of Latvia in Vitebsk last year. An exhibition by Maris Chachka working at the Daugavpils museum was organized in line with the cooperation agreement and opened in Vitebsk on 14 November. “Maris Chachka is one of the most famous Latvian drawing artists. His works reflect the modern trends of the Latvian black-and-white art. They are very emotional and can exist only together with the viewer who filters these emotions through his inner self and sees various things,” Dagnija Lace-Ate noted.

Another project will be organized in the near future. The jazz quintet of Inga Berzina will give a concert as part of the Sollertinski international music festival in Vitebsk. “The band features best Latvian jazz musicians. We will present to the Vitebsk audience what we love and appreciate,” the diplomat said.

The Days of Latvia are traditionally held in Vitebsk in November. On 18 November Latvia celebrates its national holiday - the Proclamation of the Republic of Latvia. The festival is organized by the culture department and the Latvian Cultural Center of Daugavpils, Latvia's Consulate in Vitebsk and the Vitebsk Cultural Center. This year the organizers of the festival decided to make a special emphasis on dancing and invited two folk dance teams from Latvia.