In hand: Latvia's 90th anniversary celebrated during president's visit
HUNDREDS Of members of the Latvian community gathered in Dublin last night to meet their president and celebrate the country's 90th anniversary.
At a function at the European Parliament information office, President Valdis Zatlers said he hoped his visit would strengthen ties between Latvia and tens of thousands of its citizens scattered across Ireland.
He also said he hoped many of those who had emigrated to Ireland would ultimately return home and help to develop Latvia into one of the most successful members of the European Union.
However, many Latvians at the function said they were content to remain in Ireland, even if economic conditions were becoming increasingly difficult.
Renars Strods (28), a construction worker who arrived in Ireland three years ago, has been unemployed since last August. While he is looking for work, he said he will stay here because Irish social welfare payments are much more generous than at home.
"The economic situation is bad here, but it is also bad in Latvia. With the social welfare here, you can have enough to buy some food and to get by. But in Latvia, it is much more difficult to do that on social welfare," he said.
"I'm trying to find a job, maybe as a security man, but they are all asking for experience. I am getting worried, but hopefully I will find something."
Ugis Bruklene, the pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ireland, said many of the estimated 30,000-strong community have developed strong ties in Ireland and are reluctant to return home.
"There is a community here, there is a Latvian school for children, so many are happy here. Other are looking to return home as soon as possible, but are waiting for the economy to improve. I think it will get better at home, there are more jobs and opportunities, and we can learn from Ireland about how to grow using EU payments."
For many at yesterday's gathering, the president's visit was an important symbolic event.
"It makes me feel proud that the president has come here to meet us," said Kristina Busha, whose five-year-old daughter Nikola attends school in Dublin. "The 90th anniversary celebrations are a big event at home, so it is nice to feel part of it here."
Mr Zatlers's official visit continues today when he is due to meet Taoiseach Brian Cowen.
