PBLA Culture Foundation Honorary Award to Juris Ķeniņš

At a time when Latvians all over the world commemorate, celebrate, honour and remember the creation of the Latvian state, and are aware of the importance of the existence of their country, the Cultural Foundation and Council of the World Association of Free Latvians (PBLA KF&P) would like to thank those people who dedicate their time, energy and resources to the maintenance of Latvian identity and culture, the longevity of our language and the raising of the nation’s self-confidence. Many compatriots deserve a big thank you, and we thank many more during this week of national holidays.

PBLA Cultural Foundation Honorary Award and US $1000 cash is awarded to Juris Ķeniņš (Canada) for his long and selfless contribution to the PBLA Cultural Foundation and the Council.

LNAK warmly congratulates to Juris!

2025. As of January 1, Juris Ķeniņš retired as Chairman of the PBLA Cultural Foundation and Council in January after ten years of service. The Cultural Foundation and the Council honour Juris for his successful work by awarding him the prestigious Honorary Prize 2025. This award recognizes the significant contribution of Juris Ķeniņš to the development of Latvian culture and the preservation of its heritage in Latvia and the Latvian diaspora over many years.

Juris is an outstanding composer and several of his works have become part of the repertoire of Latvian choirs. He is also an accomplished cellist who has played in various orchestras and chamber ensembles, as well as appearing as a soloist. Juris has worked as a music teacher in Canadian high schools, and later in many other fields, including the Faculty of Music at the University of Toronto. His father, Tālivaldis Ķeniņš, is highly regarded as one of the greatest Latvian composers, whose works have been – and continue to be – promoted by his son Juris.

J. Ķeniņš has held several leading positions in the Latvian community in Canada, especially as the main organizer, conductor and performer at many Song and Dance Festivals in Canada, the USA and Latvia. For many years he has been the head of the Latvian Song Festival Society in Canada. Juris was one of the driving forces behind the growing presence and special performances of diaspora choirs and dance ensembles in the 2018 and 2023 Latvian Song and Dance Festivals. He has enthusiastically served on the board of the Latvian National Association of Canada (LNAK) and continues to be an active member of the Toronto Latvian Concert Association.

Juris Ķeniņš is an important figure in many Latvian cultural activities in Canada, which he has devoted his life to organising and leading. Juris has previously been awarded with an LNAK Certificate of Appreciation, a PBLA Cultural Foundation award, and Latvia’s most significant award, the Order of the Three Stars in 2020. Through his cultural activities, Juris has successfully strengthened the link between Latvia and the diaspora, demonstrating the growing importance of culture in uniting Latvians worldwide. Juris Ķeniņš is honoured and congratulated by his long-standing colleagues in the PBLA Cultural Foundation and Council.