On Sunday, November 17, in the contemporary art space "Kurtuve", we welcomed the recipients of Valmiera Region's highest awards "Valmiera Region Honorary Citizen" and "Valmiera Region Person of the Year" in a solemn ceremony.

 

"We are a county of doers. Our strength is in our people, we don't wait for others, but do great things ourselves from the heart. With our positive example that it is possible to realize your dreams in Latvia, we also encourage others to do great work. We respect those who create, and together we are happy about luck and success, because this is the only way we will make Latvia better. These awards are gratitude for what has been done and confirmation that what has been done is very important for the Valmiera region!" thanked Jānis Baiks, chairman of the municipal council of Valmiera region.

 

For special merits in the social and cultural field, for many years of researching and popularizing the history of Ķoņi parish, collecting news about the household names of Ķoņi parish and prominent residents of Ķoņi, for the implementation of the celebratory event dedicated to the anniversary of the Baltic Road at the Latvian-Estonian border point in Ungurinių, for involvement in improving the living environment of Ķoņi and local "Honorary citizen of Valmiera region" received the award for maintaining community traditions former librarian and cultural worker in Ķoņi Maruta Krastiņa .

 

For a lifetime contribution to the preservation and popularization of folk art traditions, currently managing the folk art studios in Mazsalac and Rencēni, previously also in Valmiera, for sharing invaluable experience, for advancing the activities of the folk art studio "Mazsalaca" to such a level of mastery that the contribution of needlewomen - Mazsalaca's patterns double gloves – recorded in the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, for creating interest in the population textile artist Gaļina Birkava received the "Honorary citizen of Valmiera region" award for mastering craft skills .

 

For an invaluable contribution to make Valmiera a modern cultural center of Northern Vidzeme, for successfully advancing the artistic strategy and repertoire policy of the Valmiera theater, which has made the Valmiera theater a leader in the award nominations for several seasons in the annual Latvian theater award "Spēlmaņu nakts", for an important involvement of the contemporary art space " "Kurtuve" in the making, for purposeful and tireless action to restore the historic building of the Valmiera Theater performed in accordance with modern design, aesthetics and also safety standards, the award "Honorary citizen of Valmiera region" was received by the director of the Valmiera theater, Evita Ašeradena .

 

For a long-term contribution to the development of sports life in Valmiera region, starting with the opportunity to strengthen physical fitness for children and young people, continuing with improvement in a specific sport, as well as preparing high-class athletes, for promoting awareness of the importance of movement since childhood, for currently one of the students management of the numerically largest sports schools in Latvia, the "Honorary citizen of Valmiera region" award was received by Valmiera sports schools for representing Valmiera region in national level sports development planning director Līga Dzene.

 

For trust and selfless work for the benefit of SIA "VALPRO" and the Valmiera region, spending almost 70 years in one workplace, for cultivating the mastery of one's craft and contributing to the company's succession by training and passing on knowledge to countless future specialists, for a lifetime investment in the growth of the company and the region, the "Valmieras" award "Honorary citizen of the region" was received by a long-time (now enjoying a well-deserved rest) employee of "VALPRO" Jānis Šķēps.

 

For voluntary involvement in important events for the community, for invaluable work, working together with the Valmiera museum and project team on the creation of the "de Woldemer" exhibition, which has already received several national and international awards, for a significant contribution to the research of the history of Valmiera, inviting to learn and find out how also promoting the sounding of Valmiera's name in the field of research and history outside the country's borders, making residents interested in delving into historical events, The award "Man of the Year of Valmiera Region" was received by historians Liene and Alberts Rokpelņi.

 

For the successful rebuilding of the Valmiera theater, which required not only skills, finances and labor, but also a sense of belonging, a personal attitude, the pride of building for one's city, implementing a convincing performance in the details, moreover, taking into account that also during the rebuilding, the Round Hall of the theater was performances and the audience was admitted, for the successful establishment, management, development and sustainable perspective of the company "Aimasa", celebrating this year on the 20th anniversary of the company, for carrying the name of Valmiera in Latvia, by participating in the implementation of various construction objects, which were well received in various competitions, including the rebuilt historic building of the Valmiera theater, the "Valmiera province's Man of the Year" award was received by Sandris Apsīts, the chairman of the board of SIA "Aimasa" .

 

For tireless and voluntary work, strengthening the community of seniors in Valmiera, achieving a significant increase in the number of members in a short period of time, thus encouraging seniors to come together in order to promote not only their mental and physical health through various events, but also to carry out important works for the wider society, for the energetic, creative and purposeful activity, helping the association to acquire a more modern image, thus helping Valmiera seniors to meaningfully diversify their everyday life, The "Valmiera County Person of the Year" award was received by Ināra Allika, chairman of the board of the "Valmiera City Pensioners" society.

 

For the contribution to the preservation, restoration and connection of the cultural and historical heritage of Valmiera County with the present day, promoting the implementation of research works, interest in the preservation of traditions and learning about history, encouraging the improvement of the environment, for promoting the development of the Valmiera County Manor Network and managing the process, encouraging the Valmiera County Manors, Castles and other cultural heritage the cooperation of object enthusiasts, employees, owners and active residents, for the contribution to the offer of a high-quality cultural program Sabīne Vandāna, head of the Valmiermuiža Cultural Society, received the "Person of the Year" award in Valmiermuiža, including for organizing the Valmiermuiža ethnomusic festival, which received international recognition .

 

For an invaluable contribution to the promotion of sports, physical activity and community cohesion, outside of work duties, undertaking to organize various events, which have a significant contribution not only locally, but also on the Latvian scale, including mamanet sports (officially - "catch and serve the ball", in English "Catch'n Serve Ball") in the development of the sport in Latvia, by creating the first team of this sport in Latvia in Naukšēni, for inviting residents to get involved in improving their living environment and well-being, including organizing various active recreation During the event, participating in the collection of winter food for the residents of Līgatne's nature trails, the "Valmiera County Person of the Year" award was received by a sports enthusiast, sports organizer at the Valmiera County Sports Administration, Gundars Putniņš.

 

The recipients of the awards were presented with a special badge of honor of the Valmiera region. It depicts the coat of arms of Valmiera county – an oak on a hill in a golden field and at the foot of the water, symbolizing Latvianness, thoroughness, stability, strength, love of nature, succession and traditions, striving for growth and development, life and dynamism.

 

The event was enriched by the vocal ensemble "Melo'dia" of the Strenči Culture Center, the modern dance group "Baltā" of the Valmiera Culture Center and the saxophone ensemble "Valmiera girls".

 

The awards "Honorary Citizen of Valmiera Region" and "Man of the Year of Valmiera Region" were presented for the third time after the establishment of Valmiera Region. The applications submitted by residents for awards were evaluated by an independent commission approved by the Valmiera County Municipal Council - residents of Valmiera County, representatives of various fields.