36 Years of Restoration of National Independence –
Latvia’s National Day
Ambassador H.E. Alda Vanaga’s speech on the national holiday also served as her farewell address. Her four-year term as Latvian Ambassador to Germany came to an end in the summer of 2026
Despite 50 years of Soviet occupation, the Latvian people’s decisiveness to determine their own destiny survived. She particularly highlighted the ‘Baltic Way’ of 1989, when people from Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania joined together to send a powerful message against Soviet rule and to advocate for a free, democratic and European Baltic region. Courage and determination at that time laid the foundations for today’s Latvia – a self-assured European country undergoing dynamic development.
Words of appreciation: The Ambassador of Liechtenstein, H.E. Isabel Frommelt-Gottschald, paid tribute to the work of Ambassador Vanaga
The reception in the embassy garden
The Ambassador of Canada, H.E. Vera Alexander, and the Ambassador of Bahrain, H.E. Ahmed Abdulrahman Ahmed Al Qarainees
H.E. Vicente Albornoz, Ambassador of Ecuador, and the Ambassador of Latvia
Lessons from the Soviet Occupation
"Germany has been and remains an important partner and friend, having supported Latvia since the 1990s and continuing to work closely with the country to this day on political, economic, security and defence matters", said Ambassador Vanaga. The experience of Soviet occupation continues to shape our awareness of the fragility of freedom and democracy. The war in Ukraine serves as a reminder of how important it is to work for these values every day.
From left: H.E. Giedrius Puodziunas, Ambassador of Lithuania; Lars Rohwer, Member of the German Bundestag; H.E. Maria Papakyriakou, Ambassador of Cyprus; H.E. Alda Vanaga, Ambassador of Latvia; Johannes Schraps, SPD, Member of the German Bundestag; H.E. Marika Linntam, Ambassador of Estonia
Committed to the Baltic States:
Dr Sabine Sommerkamp-Homann, Honorary Consul of Latvia, and Thomas von Lüpke, Chairman of the German-Baltic Future Foundation
Latvian Culture
The Ambassador devoted a central part of her speech to Latvian culture. She noted that folk songs, singing festivals, literature and art had helped to preserve national identity and hope, even under conditions of censorship. This cultural strength continues to have an impact today and is evident in internationally renowned Latvian artists. In conclusion, the Ambassador pointed out that the Latvian city of Liepāja will be the European Capital of Culture in 2027 and invited everyone to use this occasion to get to know Latvia. She thanked the German partners and her outgoing colleagues for their successful cooperation and their contribution to deepening German-Latvian relations.
Two folk groups provided the musical entertainment
Tribute and Farewell
The Ambassador received a particularly warm tribute from her colleague H.E. Isabel Frommelt-Gottschald, Ambassador of the Principality of Liechtenstein. She expressed her gratitude for the Ambassador’s professional cooperation and praised her composure and strength. Following performances by Latvian folk groups, the guests were invited to a buffet featuring Baltic specialities.
Professor Rüdiger von Rosen with his wife Victoria. Von Rosen was Honorary Consul of the Republic of Latvia in Frankfurt am Main