Joe calls into Otto from the windy amber coast of Liepāja to discuss the latest vaccination debate in parliament, some major infrastructure plans on the horizon, an escaped wallaby on the loose, and much more! Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission Closing theme song: Think Tank by Audionautix audionautix.com​ Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/_think-tank​ Music promoted by Audio Library youtu.be/mbV9t1Z0rA8

Latvia Weekly

LW #134: The Winds of Liepāja and News from June 17th - 22nd, 2021

As temperature records are smashed across Latvia, effects such as forest fires and increased hospitalizations are being seen throughout different parts of the country. Otto and Joe discuss the heatwave along with the updated plan for mandatory vaccinations in some professions, the thrilling conclusion to a trashy three-year waste saga, and more!

LW #133: The Consequences of Heat and News from July 9th - 16th, 2021

As Latvia reels from the tragic loss of hockey goalie Matīss Kivlenieks in a 4th o July fire accident, more serious discussion begins about what measures should be implemented to bring school back to the classroom in fall. Otto and Joe break all this down along with other major stories from this week in Latvia! Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission Closing theme song: Think Tank by Audionautix audionautix.com​ Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/_think-tank​ Music promoted by Audio Library youtu.be/mbV9t1Z0rA8

LW #132: Carrots, Sticks, and News From July 2nd - 8th, 2021

Joe finally sits down to chat with Japanese musician Masaki Nakagawa and German-born Jorän Steinhauer, both of whom write songs in the Latvian language and are well known throughout the country. Find out how they first came to Latvia, how they were able to learn the language, and the interesting ways they write songs — including their latest track "Es lepojos ar tevi" which you can hear as the opening and closing music for this episode!

LW Interviews: Musicians Masaki Nakagawa & Jöran Steinhauer

As Latvia marks an important holocaust remembrance day, member of parliament Aldis Gobzems uses the infamous Star of David that persecuted Jewish people were forced to wear as a tasteless way to make a point about COVID restrictions. Otto and Joe discuss the fallout from this as well as other stories included a bold new plan to upgrade roads, the completion (for now) of territorial reform, the latest updates on COVID, and much more! Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission Closing theme song: Think Tank by Audionautix audionautix.com​ Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/_think-tank​ Music promoted by Audio Library youtu.be/mbV9t1Z0rA8

LW #131: Disrespecting Holocaust Victims and News from June 23rd - July 1st, 2021

Līgo! Līgo! Happy midsummer! Otto joins Joe on one of the shortest nights of the year to talk about stories such as planned urban meadows in Rīga, new debt relief for the needy, some promising COVID-19 related numbers, and much more! Opening music: "Kas to Līgo ielīgoja" performed by Ernests Elks-Elksnītis. Available in the public domain. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kas_to_L%C4%ABgo_iel%C4%ABgojaX-2-62932.wav

LW #130: Midsummer Heat and News from June 17th - 22nd, 2021

Back in mid-March, Joe interviewed Gary Dickenson from the YouTube channel Baltic Homesteaders about his experience moving from the UK to northern Vidzeme and setting up a completely new, self-sufficient life with his family. Opening and closing music by Austra Apsīte, used with permission

LW Interviews: Baltic Homesteader Gary Dickenson

With less people getting vaccinated week-on-week but only 23% of the country vaccinated so far, the government might be running into a wall in terms of convincing more people to get the shot. Otto and Joe discuss this development along with the further reopening of the Latvian economy, some public works dramas in Rīga, the murky future of Aivars Lembergs, and more! Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission Closing theme song: Think Tank by Audionautix audionautix.com​ Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/_think-tank​ Music promoted by Audio Library youtu.be/mbV9t1Z0rA8 otos/valstskanceleja/50932447422/

LW #129: Vaccine Slowdown and News from June 9th - 16th, 2021

The 2021 municipal elections have resulted in strong showing for older guard parties like the Union of Greens and Farmers and the National Alliance, while big winners from the 2018 national election such as the New Conservative Party and KPV.LV had a much rougher go. Otto and Joe break down the results and implications, along with some other important stories from the week in Latvia! Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission Closing theme song: Think Tank by Audionautix audionautix.com​ Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/_think-tank​ Music promoted by Audio Library youtu.be/mbV9t1Z0rA8 otos/valstskanceleja/50932447422/

LW #128: Local Election Results, KPV.LV MIA, and News from June 2nd - 8th, 2021

As a bizarre constitutional drama unfolds out east with local elections just days away and KPV LV clutches at its last grasp on power in the coalition, Latvia slowly strips away more COVID restrictions with infections decreasing and vaccinations on the rise. Otto and Joe unpack these stories and more! Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission Closing theme song: Think Tank by Audionautix audionautix.com​ Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/_think-tank​ Music promoted by Audio Library youtu.be/mbV9t1Z0rA8 otos/valstskanceleja/50932447422/

LW #127: Less Restrictions, More Vaccinations, and News from May 26th - June 1st, 2021

Following the Belarusian government's shocking grounding of a Ryanair plane in order to arrest an opposition journalist, Latvia has become embroiled in a diplomatic standoff with not just the Lukashenko regime, but also the International Ice Hockey Federation, whose championship is being hosted in Rīga right now. Otto and Joe discuss these stories along with others such as Latvia's Eurovision woes, new and advanced "average speed cameras," the next episode of the economics ministry soap opera, and the latest COVID-related updates.

LW #126: Showdown with Belarus and News from May 17th - 25th, 2021

With the 12th grade centralized English exams over but outdoor for cafes and restaurants all tightly booked, Joe joins Otto in his garden to discuss major stories of the week such as a debate over young people's use of Latvian, the further disintegration of what was left of the KPV LV party, a possible one computer per student policy by 2025, the latest COVID updates, and more!

LW #125: The Languages of Latvia's Youth and News from May 8th - 16th, 2021

Days after white tablecloth celebrations marking 31 years since independence, diners return to outdoor restaurant and cafe terraces. Otto and Joe discuss these stories and a number of others, including updates to investigations into two tragic fires, increases to state family benefits, a reorganiziton of the vaccine bureau, and more!

LW #124: A Return to Outdoor Dining and News From April 29th - May 7th, 2021

Otto joins Joe remotely from Rīga to discuss the wide-reaching implications of two very different but equally tragic fires that happened in Latvia over the last week. Other stories include the latest chapter in the endless KPV LV soap opera, good news for Latvia's aviation agency, outrage over Russia's suspected actions in NATO ally Czechia, blooming cherry blossoms, and much more! Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission Closing theme song: Think Tank by Audionautix audionautix.com​ Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/_think-tank​ Music promoted by Audio Library youtu.be/mbV9t1Z0rA8 otos/valstskanceleja/50932447422/

LW #123: Two Tragic Fires and News From April 21st - 28th, 2021

In a longer than usual episode, Otto and Joe discuss major events of the week such as live queues for the covid vaccine, illegal alcohol deliveries, disappearing bus stop roofs, new party polling, and much more!

LW #122: Step Right Up For a Vaccine, and News From April 14th - 20th, 2021

A weekly podcast that discusses the latest happenings in Latvia, hosted by Otto Tabuns and Joe Horgan

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Latvia Weekly

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