Photo: Joining together in a joint cleanup | liepajniekiem.lv

I. Timma says that it is the second time such a cleanup is being held. “The first time we were three activists. This time it was cool that we had a meeting last week,” thinking that it can be used as an opportunity to gather a larger number of supporters.

It also succeeded, although the Liepāja woman points out that some have already sent a message that they will not come.

In general, however, she considers Liepāja citizens to be active talcians, as she has previously participated in other talcs organized in the city. “I have been to Zirgu Island, I have planted trees.”

According to her, cleaning is a good example for young people, because it shows that people do not always do something only for their family or for money. Shows that there are also those who simply want to do social work.

“I think any good work we do is social. This is not a private homestead or a private meadow,” says I. Timma.

The residents of the narrow street will work today as long as they are able. They admit that someone already has a plan to leave sooner, and another – later. I. Timma emphasizes that the important thing is that something is done at all and it does not matter how long someone stays.

When asked if the Liepāja woman has observed any place in Liepāja that needs cleaning, the woman mentions the beach.

“You can always take a bag with you when walking on the beach.”

Baiba Mackiala does not immediately think of a specific place. “I guess I haven’t walked through such a jungle,” she laughs.

Today, she is involved in cleaning the yard together with her husband Normund. This is also the first time they are cleaning in the yard of their house. They didn’t seem so littered before. Now the woman from Liepāja says: “We don’t know where the debris comes from, it seems that strangers create it.”

According to her, such community cleaning is important. She hopes that debris will no longer accumulate in the homestead, although such cleaning at least unites the residents of the houses towards a common result.

B. Mazkiala admits that she has done quite a lot of cleaning in Liepāja and that she has noticed that after every big cleaning, the city has become more and more tidy. She does not hide the opinion that people more often choose to clean their personal property.

“We will also go to our fields today. Since I work in a school, I know that very often students have to be persuaded to clean up collectively, because they usually choose to clean up privately in their places, farms. If it is organized by workplaces, schools or apartment associations, then it is different.”

One of the residents of the house, Anda, says that she started this cleaning together with I. Timma, because the basements of the house were very littered. According to her, waste has been accumulating there for decades.

“About six years ago, my husband and I took a bag and started taking everything out. So just keeping it going is cool. I would like for that house to finally remain clean and not have to continue the tradition,” admits the Liepāja woman.

Official talkas are registered in several places in Liepāja and also take place in almost every town, parish and village of the region.

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