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Žaneta Jaunzeme-Grende
Photo: Evija Trifanova, LETA
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New Culture Minister Žaneta Jaunzeme-Grende's well-wishes for Latvian culture:
"Culture is the mainstay of our nation’s existence. If we look at history, one thing is more than clear, for cultural life to flourish, heritage and its continuity are of key importance. I regard with utmost respect the culture ministers who have come before me, as through trying times and political change they managed to preserve and ensure the future for the most crucial. We still have the network of music and art schools for children – a unique entity in Europe. We have the wellspring of our national awareness – the Song and Dance Festival. We can be proud of our internationally-recognized opera company, our theatres, museums, libraries, archives, orchestras and local culture centers. Our young talent can further their education in prestigious art and music academies – right here in Latvia. Books are still being written and published in our native language, music composed in our common scale of notes.
All of the above is a treasure beyond imagination, a source of strength and pride. To preserve this, to hand down to the next generations, I see as one of my main objectives. Solid foundations or deep roots are not a value in and of itself; they are potential and hope for the future. I believe that specifically culture is the key to growth for the entire nation. Our opportunities are far from fully realized. Science, education, economy, tourism, business are some of the sectors where the arts can have major impact. And these sectors in turn can bring fruits for the arts. Such mutual interaction is the biggest global challenge of today.
For culture, all areas are important, yet our cultural policy's agenda is set by several major projects. One of them is to ensure, in cooperation with the Riga City Council, that Riga is a first-rate venue for the 2014 European Capital of Culture. Moreover, in Pārdaugava, a library building has appeared which now requires content in order to become a world-class culture and science center. Another important undertaking is the tense planning of allocation of 2012 European Union structural funds, where culture cannot be neglected. And, of course, the task of organizing the Song and Dance Festival, which will be held in 2013.
Though the government works in solidarity, I represent a politically nationalistic force that regards with utmost importance the sense of belonging to a nation and its culture. While recognizing each person's right to choose which culture to be part of, Latvia's task is to promote everything we as a nation can accomplish in our country. Our national institutions are only in Latvia. Our cultural heritage and artistic endeavors today are closely related to our existence here and now, and far, far into the future. Culture here does not require hasty reforms, culture requires Latvia’s atmosphere and the world’s presence." |
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