Inese Dūka

Nature’s ways...

A day before our Independence Day (November 18) a lot of people were caught by surprise when we awoke to find the world around us rather white. Most people probably didn’t believe it would last but nothing has changed in the last couple of days. During our long holidays (we had 4 whole days off!!) the temperature at times was as low as 12 degrees below zero (Celsius, of course)… some people already managed to get out their skis and snowboards… I myself only got out my camera to show you the change - it went from golden to silver in less than a month… At least now I officially can begin to prepare for Christmas. For some reason this year I just can’t wait!!!

Then I also should let you know that between the autumn and the winter colours was November 11. In Latvia it is a remembrance day called Lāčplēša diena. Lāčplēsis (Bear slayer) is the protagonist of our national epic of the same title. But November 11 has no direct connection with him. This date rather has a historic significance when on November 11, 1919 Riga was freed from the Bolshevik army (though 4/5 of the soldiers were Germans) lead by a Russian Colonel Pavel Bermont who called himself Knaz Avilov. So on this day the government officials and army leaders bring flowers to the Monument of Liberty and cemeteries where the officers of Latvian army are buried.

There is however another tradition – lighting candles in the wall of the Riga castle. Unfortunately I cannot tell you how old this tradition is – my guess would be at least 15 years since our regained independence in 1991. We have made it a tradition to gather our course mates and be a part of making the sea of lights. We have done it 4 out of the 6 years we have studied together. In 1999 and 2003 we couldn’t as all of us were in Denmark… With the help of the wonders of technics you can see how we have changed through the years: 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2004. Enjoy!!!