Dear scientists!

It is a real pleasure for me to be among Latvia’s intellectual elite today and to get to know this institute, which represents a very important sector for Latvia – forest science. For Latvians, forest science, forests, and the forest industry as a whole are doubly important. Firstly, of course, there is the practical significance for the economy, but there is also an emotional sense, as we believe that Latvians have a special connection with nature. And the nature of Latvia is, of course, especially its forests. As scientists, you study this sector and provide us with your proposals on how best to treat the forest.

In practical terms, forestry provides many jobs. More than 30,000 people work in the forest sector, and it is one of the largest agricultural sectors in Latvia. But, of course, the forest is also enjoyable for life and leisure, for mushroom and berry picking, and simply for walks.

I am greatly honoured to be here in Silava also because Silava makes a special contribution to this forest sector so that we can better manage this component of Latvian nature. According to certain statistics, about half of Latvia is covered by forests. Incidentally, this figure has grown in recent decades. Thanks also to your contribution, when we talk about practical importance, those who own a forest can plant trees not only for their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, but also for themselves, because a newly discovered aspen clone has been developed here that reaches felling age in just 20 years.

In an emotional sense, of course, forests are a special message that gives us a sense of security and home. Interestingly, in social psychology, there is an observation regarding art. If we look, for example, at Renaissance art and later periods, in the areas north of Central Europe, where forests, trees, and greenery are depicted, it is something refreshing and security-giving in the context of the paintings. Conversely, in Southern Europe, forests and thickets are depicted in a threatening context; they are considered more of a threat, a place where one can get lost, where there might be robbers, etc. This is an interesting art history study on how different nations perceive forests, greenery, and thickets in their psychology.

I understand that today in Latvia there are almost no natural forests left, except for Moricsala, yet it seems that a large part is something similar to natural forest. Therefore, I highly appreciate that you here at the institute work tirelessly every day to improve the quality of our forests and provide your proposals on how best to do this.

Scientific work, of course, is not easy, and the public outside the institute sees various innovations, inventions, and successes, but, of course, long hours lie behind these achievements. Science also involves researching, researching, and researching, and after three years concluding that there is nothing there; but even that is a result that is important for science as a whole, and that, too, must be valued as a component of science. Therefore, I would like to say that your work is valued by society, and science itself is one of the priorities of the Latvian state and also one of my presidential priorities. Of course, the President does not make decisions on science funding, but the President can emphasise the importance of science so that those who do make the decisions understand it better.

It is also a pleasure for me to see that, just like in the forest, natural regeneration is happening here in Silava as well. I see both young scientists and experienced scientists here. In this way, everyone together as a collective, as a family of scientists, can make their contribution to this field of science. Of course, this is valued, and the appreciation of society can be seen in the awards given. Among the awarded scientists, I will mention Austra Āboliņa, Imants Baumanis, Mudrīte Daugaviete, Māris Daugavietis, Valentīns Lazdāns, Arvīds Priedītis, and Pēteris Zālītis. There may be others, but in any case, you can see that society appreciates your work, and that is extremely important.

The importance and quality of the institute are also evidenced by the fact that the institute has participated in and attracted various projects both with state support, for example, PostDoc Latvia, and the Fundamental and Applied Research Programme, as well as funding attracted from the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 programme. This means that your work is valued at both the Latvian and European levels, because this is a branch of science where comparability is possible and, therefore, so is competition. In the humanities, that is not possible in the same way; for example, in the historical sciences, international competitiveness is not really possible by its nature, but in this sector and all natural sciences, comparability essentially exists. And in this comparability, Silava holds a very honourable place in European science.

I would like to thank you for your contribution to Latvian science and the Latvian national economy. I have already said that the forest is important to every Latvian, so thank you also for ensuring that forests exist and are of high quality, and can be used practically. Society highly values your contribution. I wish you continued success in your scientific work, in securing projects, and in general with life here in this beautiful institute. Thank you!