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With each passing year, TILTS is doing more to help Latvia improve its education system and to introduce Latvian culture internationally. Our thanks to all our participants and suppporters for a successful 2004! Following is a recap from our annual member communication, published January, 2005.
Under the leadership of Peteris Zarins and Edite Irbe, with the assistance of Arnis Sprancmanis as the project’s treasurer, and with your contributions and help, we are continuing to provide computers and educational materials to schools in Latvia. Compared to 2003, TILTS showed more activity: In 2004 our assistance reached a total of $21,000 (in 2003 the total was $13,000). The recipients of the largest grants – each receiving computers worth about $5000 – were three schools: Malupe grade school (Aluksne region), Gulbene high school and Latvian schools in Siberia.
The support from TILTS has been primarily for updating computer technology, but the schools tell us that money for textbooks and related classroom supplies is equally in short supply. Today there are about 1000 schools in Latvia. By our American standards, most of these schools are very small and rural. For example, in the Cesis region, 30 out of its 46 schools have less than 200 students. In the Limbaži region, only 6 out of 25 schools have more than 300 students. In the Rezekne region 19 rural schools have less than 100 students each. The fact that the schools are small means that a relatively modest contribution can provide a major impact on the school’s budget.
Therefore, we again encourage you to send a donation to a Latvian school through our TILTS organization. We are convinced that there is no more rewarding way to "spend a dollar" than to donate it to the TILTS' school improvements program. If you so desire, please specify which school you wish to help. You may wish to choose a school in Latvia that has special significance to you. Was it your school, or maybe that of your parents or grandparents?
TILTS can help you establish the needs of your chosen school. Some schools have the necessary computer hardware, but lack supplies and computer programs. We will direct your contributions to meet the school’s particular needs, and we will handle all the communications and transactions.
In addition to your TILTS 2005 annual membership fee, what if each of us donated at least an extra $50 to help a school in Latvia? We will let you know how your gift was used.
Please contact Peteris Zarins if you would like to contribute. Donations in USA are tax- deductible.
In 2004 TILTS arranged a North American tour from Dailes Teatris in Riga, showing the play “Zemes Nodoklis” ( “Property Tax”) by the well known Latvian playwright Mara Zalite. The tour included 12 communities, including Minneapolis, Toronto, New York and St. Petersburg, FL, and performances were attended by a total of over 1000 people. It was a success financially, as only three actors were involved and we managed to make arrangements for a driver, who took the troop in a van through most of the North East. Most responses from the viewers were very favorable. But it was a serious play, and some viewers had expected lighter entertainment.
Under the leadership of Dace Aperans, TILTS arranged the following four concert tours in 2004:
In November of 2004, and interesting project associated with the 2000 USA tour by the Riga Dome Boys Choir was concluded. The boys’ choir in the 2000 tour was accompanied by the composer and organist Aivars Kalejs. Following the concert in Charlotte, NC, Aivars was commissioned to compose an arrangement based on Methodist Hymns for the 75th Anniversary of the Myers Park Methodist Church there. Coordinated by Astra Zemzars and Dzidra Reimanis, the world premier of the composition took place in November of 2004. Everyone was enthusiastic about the composition, and Aivars is being considered for a USA tour.
In the fall of 2004, TILTS arranged 12 concerts by the singer Normunds Rutulis, covering also the smaller Latvian communities of Buffalo and Syracuse. The tour was a success – the audiences were large, people liked the popular music presented by this highly accomplished artist, and all the concerts were financially successful. Some communities would like to hear Rutulis again (he has now another repertoire of the newest songs by Raimonds Pauls). The tour was arranged by Janis Bibelnieks.
On January 23, 2004, the world famous violinist, originally from Riga, Gidon Kremer and his ensemble KREMERata Musica presented a benefit concert at the Kosciuszko Hall in New York City. The concert, arranged by the Exceptional Young Artists Fund, included also performances by the former recipient of the Fund’s support Egils Sefers and the pianist Gints Berzins. A reception followed the concert. The event was well attended and resulted in a benefit of $6,965 to the Fund. The Fund expresses sincere appreciation both to the artists and the very receptive audience.
In 2004, under the leadership of Laila Robins, working with Helga Petrasevics, the Exceptional Young Artists Fund awarded a total of $24,450.00 to the following artists:
In the fall of 2004 meeting, TILTS directors elected Janis Cigusis as a member of the committee managing the Exceptional Young Artists Fund.
Anyone wishing to make a contribution to the Exceptional Young Artists Fund can mail a check to:
“TILTS”
c/o Laila Robins
241 Central Park West Apt. 14H
New York, N.Y. 10024
In 2004 TILTS provided financial support for a total $13,100 to the following projects:
We are gratified that, on the basis of our initiative or support, the President of Latvia has bestowed Triju Zvaigznu ordenis (the Three Star Medal, which is the highest civilian medal) or the Triju Zvaigznu goda zime (the Three Star Pin) to the following:
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