On May 4, the President of the Republic of Latvia presents the highest state awards of Latvia – Events

On May 4, the day of the restoration of the independence of the Republic of Latvia, the solemn ceremony of presenting the highest state awards – the Order of Three Stars, the Order of Viestura and the Cross of Appreciation – was held in the Riga Palace.

On the centenary of the Order of the Three Stars and on the 30th anniversary since its restoration, as well as on the 20th anniversary of the restoration of the Viestura Order and the Cross of Appreciation, the highest Latvian state awards were received today by people whose honest professional and social work, active civic stance, selflessness and patriotism strengthen our Latvia and is worthy of the highest recognition and honor of the country. Individually and all together, they are a wonderful example of what it means not only to work excellently and honestly in their profession, but also to promote the common good in other possible ways – the growth and well-being of a democratic, legal, national and European country of Latvia.

Representatives of society awarded with the Order of Three Stars

The Order of the Three Stars is awarded for special merits for the Fatherland, merits in state, local government, social, cultural, educational, scientific, sports or economic work. Merits include individual outstanding work, long-term, exemplary and successful activity, as well as special merits during the period of restoration of Latvia’s independence or during the further strengthening of the country.

Appointed as officers of the Order of the Three Stars:

Ieva Morica, executive director of the Foundation for Open Society DOTS, director of the LAMPA conversation festival, board member of Riga University of Law

For a significant personal contribution to the growth of civil society, the promotion of the diversity of opinions, tolerance and the culture of discussion, strengthening Latvia as a democratic, inclusive and cohesive country.

Senator of the Department of Administrative Affairs of the Senate of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Latvia, assistant professor of the Faculty of Law of the University of Latvia, constitutional law expert, Dr.iur. Jānis Pleps

For an outstanding and creative contribution to the modernization of the Latvian legal system, the formation of legal-historical awareness and the promotion of the identity of Latvia’s cultural and historical regions, strengthening Latvia as a democratic, legal and national state.

Film director, screenwriter and producer Laima Žurgina

For merits in culture and lifelong contribution to the creation of Latvian poetic documentary cinema tradition and popularization of cultural history.

The following have been appointed as Knights of the Order of the Three Stars:

Anda Jansone, lecturer at Riga Stradins University, chairman of the board of the Children’s Palliative Care Society, pediatrician

For merits in medicine, long-term selfless work and contribution to the establishment and development of children’s palliative care in Latvia.

Head of Family and Child Development Center “Brīnumiņš” Agnese Kviese, Commander of the Navy of the National Armed Forces

For long-term selfless work and contribution to providing social rehabilitation for children with special needs and providing support to families.

Society representatives awarded with the Viestura Order

The Viestura Order is awarded for special military merits, as well as for special merits in the national resistance movement and defense of national independence, maintaining and strengthening national security and public order, guarding the national border, building the national armed forces and instilling national consciousness in citizens, preparing them to serve their country and for the land and for the unwavering protection of their country and land.

Appointed as commanders of the Viestura Order:

Colonel Dzintars Lagzdiņš, head of the Fire Safety Supervision Department of the State Fire and Rescue Service

For many years of exemplary service, merits in strengthening the internal security of the Latvian state and in the development of the Fire Safety Monitoring System.

Head of the Information Analysis and Management Department of the Joint Staff of the National Armed Forces, Colonel Māris Tūtins

For selfless service, merits in the development of NBS and strengthening of Latvian defense.

Appointed as officers of the Viestura Order:

Head of the Department of Return and Asylum Affairs of the State Border Guard, Lieutenant Colonel Mareks Hoņavko

For merits in guarding the national border of Latvia, significant contribution to the strengthening of national border security and the development of the State Border Guard.

Lieutenant Colonel Armands Ķesteris, Commander of the 13th Infantry Battalion of the 1st Riga Brigade of the National Guard of the Republic of Latvia

For selfless service and merit in the development of the National Armed Forces and the National Guard.

Lieutenant Colonel Armands Lubarts, Deputy Chief of the Department of Combating Serious and Serial Crimes of the Main Criminal Police Department of the State Police, Head of Department 4

For selfless service and merits in the maintenance and strengthening of Latvian national security and public order.

Lieutenant-Colonel Natālija Volgin, Head of the Temporary Detention Office of the State Police Riga Region Administration, Order Police Administration

For selfless service and merits in maintaining and strengthening the internal security of the Latvian state.

Awarded with a gilded badge of honor of the Order of Viestura:

National Armed Forces Air Force Headquarters Command Group Sergeant Major Staff Sergeant Alyona Nikitina

For selfless service, significant contribution to the development of the National Armed Forces and assistance to Ukraine, its soldiers and civilians.

Awarded with the bronze medal of the Viestura Order:

Corporal Dzintars Zaretoks, firefighter rescuer (driver) of the Ogre part of the Riga regional administration of the State Fire and Rescue Service

For long-term exemplary service, significant contribution to the work of a firefighter and rescuer and to the promotion of the State Fire and Rescue Service.

Representatives of society awarded with the Cross of Recognition

The Cross of Recognition is awarded for outstanding love of the Fatherland and for special merits in state, social, cultural, scientific, sports and educational work. Faithful and diligent service in the service of the state or local government, exemplary and honest performance of work, public service of everyone, development of the spirit of the people, self-activity and economic forces are considered merits.

Appointed Commander of the Cross of Merit:

Businessman, chairman of the board of SIA “Kokpārstrāde 98”, patron Gunārs Dzenis

For a long-term significant contribution to the national economy and the development of patronage traditions in Latvia.

Appointed as Officers of the Cross of Merit:

Director of the “Neputns” publishing house, Elgita Bērtiņa

For outstanding performance in the Latvian book industry and long-term selfless work in the preservation of cultural heritage.

Businessman Guntis Bredovskis

For significant civic initiative, selfless work and significant contribution in providing assistance to Ukraine, its soldiers and civilians.

Inta Brence, director of Viļani Music and Art School and music teacher, Viļani Roman Catholic Church organist

For long-term selfless work and investment in interest education and patriotic upbringing of school youth.

Yevgenija Jakovska, executive director of SIA “Gaujas Koks”.

For significant civic initiative, selfless work and significant contribution in providing assistance to Ukraine, its soldiers and civilians.

Laura Skrodele, director of the Foundation “Uznemēsi mieram”.

For a significant civic initiative in organizing and selflessly providing aid to Ukraine, its army and civilians.

Architect and writer Gunta Šnipke

For merits in culture and outstanding creative achievements in architecture and preservation and promotion of cultural heritage.

The following were appointed as Knights of the Cross of Appreciation:

Ināra Boka, deputy director of the Riga Ukrainian Secondary School in educational work

For long-term investment in educational work and selflessness, providing support to Ukrainian refugees in Latvia.

Anitra Niedre, music teacher of Ventspils Music High School, conductor, head of vocal ensembles, artistic director of Ventspils Culture Center women’s choir “Venda”

For long-term creative work in education and culture, significant contribution to strengthening the tradition of women’s choirs.

Awarded with the gilded medal of the Cross of Merit:

Ojāra Vācieš Gaujiena elementary school deputy director in education, history and social studies teacher Līga Bukovska

For a long-term contribution to the work of education and local research, to the patriotic upbringing of school youth.

PHOTO. Authors: Ilmārs Znotiņš, Dāvis Doršs, Office of the President of the State

Office of the President of the State