Reconnecting With Latvian Roots: A New Virtual Workshop Series

Curious about Latvian traditions, food, and language? Married to, dating or friends with someone with Latvian heritage and eager to better understand their culture?  Grew up speaking Latvian or have fond memories of your Latvian grandparents, but haven’t been around the community in years? Looking to connect or reconnect with or explore your Latvian roots?  

We invite you to register for a series of free, monthly virtual workshops from October, 2026 through March, 2027.

This series was created as a space to reconnect with or learn more about Latvian traditions. It is intentionally designed for everyone – heritage learners, non-Latvian partners, spouses, friends, and anyone curious to learn more about their Latvian heritage. No prior fluency or involvement is needed, and all sessions are held in English! All are welcome.

Each one‑hour session invites participants into a different facet of Latvian culture:

  • Latvian food — flavors shaped by forests, seasons, and centuries
  • Folk songs — the soulful dainas that carry ancestral wisdom
  • Holidays — from midsummer magic to winter traditions
  • Language — gentle introductions to pronunciation and meaning
  • History — stories of resilience, identity, and independence
  • Travel — places to explore, from Riga’s cobblestones to coastal dunes
  • Culture — everyday life, values, humor, and community

In order to keep discussions open, interactive and private, the sessions will not be recorded. Each workshop will be live-only!

  • Duration: 1 hour
  • Schedule: First Sunday of each month at 11:00 AM EST
  • Location: Zoom (link sent after registration)
  • Cost: Free — thanks to the Latvian Foundation/Latviešu Fonds

Register here: https://forms.gle/cFcUhZQKzefpBTaC8

Thank-you/paldies to Valda Grīnbergs (American Latvian Association), Maira Bundža (Kalamazoo Latvian Association), Pastor Aija Graham (Kalamazoo Latvian Ev. Lutheran Church) and the 27 students of Latvian Language Cohorts 1 & 2.