Worth knowing! Upcoming and current events

From 11 February to 30 April in the foyer of the Conference Centre of the National Library of Latvia, an international exhibition of illustrators' work, “The Magic Forest”
https://www.km.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/starptautiska-ilustraciju-izstade-magiskais-mezs

On the Līgatne nature trails a new exhibition, “What Was Rustling in the Forest?”, has been open since December
https://www.daba.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/ligatnes-dabas-takas-atklata-jauna-ekspozicija-kas-meza-brikskinaja

On 18 April International online conference Modern challenges and actual problems of forestry education, science and production
https://www.silava.lv/aktualitates/starptautiska-tiessaistes-konference-modern-challenges-and-actual-problems-of-forestry-education-science-and-production

On 20 April in Bauska, the 7th Vimba Festival
https://www.zemeunvalsts.lv/7-vimbu-svetki-bauska

24-30 April, Big Clean-Up events in Latvijas valsts meži forests
https://www.lvm.lv/jaunumi/7559-piedalies-lielas-talkas-aktivitates-latvijas-valsts-mezos

On 25 April, “The Forest Comes to Jelgava”
https://www.lbtu.lv/lv/raksts/2025-04-09/25-aprili-lielpasakums-mezs-ienak-jelgava
https://stigarm.lv/lv/jaunumi/rupes-par-sabiedribu-lv/aizraujoss-piedzivojums-mezs-ienak-jelgava-gimenem-berniem-un-jauniesiem/

Events in the sector

https://www.db.lv/zinas/par-latvija-labako-darba-deveju-pern-atzits-latvijas-finieris-520936
https://www.finieris.com/lv/latvijas-finieris-top-darba-devejs-2024/
At the awards ceremony held on Tuesday by the online recruitment company Alma Career Latvia (formerly CV-Online Latvia), AS “Latvijas finieris” was named the best employer in Latvia in 2024, the event's organisers reported.

https://dzirkstele.lv/latvijas-zinas/aptauja-par-vidzemes-labako-un-popularako-darba-deveju-ceturtaja-vieta-lizuma-sia-avoti/
This year more than 18,000 respondents took part in the survey, the largest number to date for surveys of this kind in Latvia.

https://www.vmd.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/valsts-meza-dienests-atgadina-par-atbildigu-ricibu-ar-uguni-meza
So far this year, 63 forest fires have been put out, with a fire-affected area of 18.1 ha, of which 8.9 ha were young stands. The State Forest Service urges the public to act responsibly and to handle fire carefully in or near forests.

https://www.lvm.lv/jaunumi/7571-latvijas-meza-dienas-uzstasies-finkis-un-carnival-youth
Well-known musicians will perform at the event, there will be various competitions and performances, and visitors themselves will be able to join in a wide range of activities at more than 100 forest discovery stops.

https://lmna.lv/ar-lmna-karoga-iesvetisanu-atzimeta-organizacijas-35-gadadiena/
On 7 April 1990, the regular republican congress of the Forest, Paper and Woodworking Industry Workers' Trade Union took place – the last one held while Latvia was still formally part of the USSR. By then the Popular Front was already active and the winds of the Awakening were in the air, so the congress adopted a decision to transform the organisation into the Latvian Forest Sector Trade Union...

https://www.db.lv/zinas/foto-atklata-viena-no-lielakajam-koka-buvem-latvija-520862
The building can be regarded as a unique structure worldwide – its load-bearing timber structures, complemented by dynamic timber finishing elements, create an interplay through the curved glazed surfaces integrated into the façades.

https://www.db.lv/zinas/rigas-mezi-panak-stabilus-finansu-raditajus-520874
In 2024 SIA “Rīgas meži” met the financial targets set by Riga City Council, ensuring the company's financial stability and sustainable development – as shown by the company's annual report approved at the shareholders' meeting on 4 April.

https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/zinas/ekonomika/07.04.2025-visviltigakais-pardevejs-kadel-zviedri-aiziet-no-latvijas-meziem.a594454/
From Riga it may not be visible, but there is constant activity involving Latvia's forests – people buy, sell and sign papers at notaries, says Guntis, a former forest reseller...

Events in the economy

https://www.leta.lv/home/important/D10510C7-F0BC-480C-BEA2-38AED5C41793/
...the budget contains no funds for implementing the billion-euro “Rail Baltica” railway project. At present only the minimum funds necessary are being allocated to the project so that European Union fund contributions can be used.

https://bergsblogo.com/2025/04/06/zinojums-no-amerikas/
Such changes have been taking place in the USA in recent months that, although the mood is fairly bleak, I nevertheless consider it my duty to share my observations and reflections.

https://www.tvnet.lv/8055800/eksperti-bridina-tuvakajos-gados-gaidams-degvielas-cenu-soks
The European Union's plan to add an emissions tax to transport fuel prices from 2027 could raise petrol and diesel prices by around a third.

Knowledge and education

https://www.lvm.lv/jaunumi/7570-jauniesiem-pieskir-stipendijas-konkursa-lvm-bioekonomikas-skola
A total of 11 scholarships have been awarded this year...

Events in nature and around it

https://www.daba.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/plano-pilnveidot-sugu-un-biotopu-ekspertu-sertificesanas-un-uzraudzibas-sistemu
In Latvia, nature experts are engaged for various environmental impact assessments and other needs. They are called in when specific knowledge is required about protected species and rare habitats found in Latvia. Such knowledge is used to prevent the impact on nature of various activities, for example logging, the construction of roads, buildings or wind farms, land drainage and other projects.

https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/zinas/latvija/05.04.2025-kuldiga-policija-lietaina-nakti-aiztur-bebru.a594372/
The municipal police of Kuldīga district had to use the detention compartment of a service vehicle to move a beaver to a safer place after it had got lost in the town on a rainy night...

About and around various events

https://satori.lv/article/vai-starptautiskas-tiesibas-sasaurinas
There is no doubt that the Russian Federation represents a view of the world in which the order of things is determined by aggressive military force. Russia's political elite and those close to it have never been enthusiastic about democracy, the rule of law and human rights. Russia has never really understood why any country, especially a small one, should have any rights or voice in international affairs.

https://jauns.lv/raksts/zinas/648719-riga-nomainis-devinu-ielu-nosaukumus-izmainas-skars-vairakus-pilsetas-rajonus
The City Development Committee of Riga City Council today supported changing the names of nine streets. The new names are intended for streets both in Vecrīga and in city districts on both banks of the Daugava. They still have to be voted on at a sitting of Riga City Council.

https://www.delfi.lv/kultura/32026447/culturenvironment/120068421/agenskalna-izcilaja-jugendstila-udenstorni-plano-izvietot-muzeju-un-kafejnicu
At present the water tower no longer serves its original function and a new use needs to be found for it. It is envisaged that the water tower building could be adapted for cultural purposes, involving both municipal cultural institutions and initiatives from the non-governmental sector and the neighbourhood community.

https://zz.lv/sonedel-durvis-vers-atjaunota-zalenieku-kulturas-nama-eka/
The building, which over the years has become the centre for cultural preservation, recreation and entertainment in Zaļenieki parish, will once again ring with music and laughter in its renovated rooms, and dancing feet will resound, as both of the parish's dance groups, the choir and the amateur theatre resume their rehearsals there.

https://staburags.lv/dargako-bulli-pardod-par-gandriz-6000-eiro/
In total, 16 farms brought 26 bulls. Of these, 23 bulls were sold. I believe the auction was very successful, as more than 200 people attended both the show and the auction.

Current affairs in cartoons

https://www.lasi.lv/par-svarigo/karikatura/zime-gatis-sluka-mitraju-veidosanas-meistarklase.27010

https://www.lasi.lv/par-svarigo/karikatura/zime-gatis-sluka-satiksmes-ministram-ir-plans.27168

https://www.diena.lv/raksts/diena-citi/karikaturista-skats/burkans-valsts-parvalde-14334135

https://www.diena.lv/raksts/diena-citi/karikaturista-skats/tramps-un-tarifi-14334274

https://www.lasi.lv/par-svarigo/karikatura/zime-gatis-sluka-minimala-vertejuma-slieksnis.27113

https://www.lasi.lv/maja-gimene/majas-viesis/zime-gatis-sluka-maksligais-intelekts.26938

https://www.lasi.lv/par-svarigo/karikatura/zime-gatis-sluka-pop-up-laikmets.27233