Nice post here, on the pride of a nation, of the small country Latvia.
American here, I’ve lived in and around Riga for some time, have witnessed these people (the Baltics, eastern Europe) recover, rebuild their countries, cultures from the destruction and ashes left by Russia’s soviet occupation of 50 years. The same that Russia is doing today in Ukraine.
Yes, the cat’s everywhere. I just came back from a visit to Wurzburg, Germany, and saw these Flow puzzles and coloring books in bookstores even there.
These are artistic, musical folks here, in Latvia, with their singing, dancing, classical music through the years… note the several opera stars today singing on the world’s top stages.
It’s been amazing to see the country rally around this global prize, the Oscar, the recognition of their own talents.
With Flow, a historic moment indeed; similar to when Alona Ostapenko won the French Open tennis, putting Latvia on the sporting map and the country rallying around her victory.
But we all get excited by awards, events, etc that we have absolutely nothing to do with. When we attend a World Series game; or when standing inside Rome’s Colosseum, or at the top of the Eiffel Tower. We’ve had nothing to do with these creations either, other than sharing our common, positive human spirit.
Yes, this country has had a difficult history, it’s good to see them able to celebrate their hard-earned communal events, such as Flow. And great that you enjoyed it.
Thanks for this post, and next time you’re in Riga, let me know and I’ll show you around town.
Oh, and when did cities start installing giant versions of their names in public places?
I think it started years ago, out in a place called HOLLYWOOD.
Ha! Can't believe I didn't think of the Hollywood sign!
Thanks so much for this thoughtful response and for your insight, DZ. It makes me love Latvia's well-deserved pride in the film and its award even more.
Great story, Lisa. The most touching line? "It made me wonder what it would feel like, in that moment, to be so proud of your country." We may never know.
Great story, Lisa! My Aunty Dora, whom you may have met, told us that she left Europe from Riga in the early 1900s, along with my grandmother. Shelley and I visited in 2014. Beautiful city!
Thank you, Aaron—and thank you so much for becoming a paid subscriber! I hadn’t realized that Dora and your grandmother came from Latvia. These days at least it seems a nice place to be from. Maybe you should look into dual citizenship?
Nice post here, on the pride of a nation, of the small country Latvia.
American here, I’ve lived in and around Riga for some time, have witnessed these people (the Baltics, eastern Europe) recover, rebuild their countries, cultures from the destruction and ashes left by Russia’s soviet occupation of 50 years. The same that Russia is doing today in Ukraine.
Yes, the cat’s everywhere. I just came back from a visit to Wurzburg, Germany, and saw these Flow puzzles and coloring books in bookstores even there.
These are artistic, musical folks here, in Latvia, with their singing, dancing, classical music through the years… note the several opera stars today singing on the world’s top stages.
It’s been amazing to see the country rally around this global prize, the Oscar, the recognition of their own talents.
With Flow, a historic moment indeed; similar to when Alona Ostapenko won the French Open tennis, putting Latvia on the sporting map and the country rallying around her victory.
But we all get excited by awards, events, etc that we have absolutely nothing to do with. When we attend a World Series game; or when standing inside Rome’s Colosseum, or at the top of the Eiffel Tower. We’ve had nothing to do with these creations either, other than sharing our common, positive human spirit.
Yes, this country has had a difficult history, it’s good to see them able to celebrate their hard-earned communal events, such as Flow. And great that you enjoyed it.
Thanks for this post, and next time you’re in Riga, let me know and I’ll show you around town.
Oh, and when did cities start installing giant versions of their names in public places?
I think it started years ago, out in a place called HOLLYWOOD.
Ha! Can't believe I didn't think of the Hollywood sign!
Thanks so much for this thoughtful response and for your insight, DZ. It makes me love Latvia's well-deserved pride in the film and its award even more.
https://ilonaragana.substack.com/p/father-has-not-seen-his-children
I, too, wonder how feeling that national pride would feel.
Great story, Lisa. The most touching line? "It made me wonder what it would feel like, in that moment, to be so proud of your country." We may never know.
So, so true! I'm glad the Latvians are proud of this movie. It's beautiful, creative, and unique.
Completely agree!
Thank you, Mark!
I gave up caring about the Oscars years ago but I very much appreciate your bringing Flow to my attention as I'll now check it out.
As for the condescendion you felt, I felt it in me as well as I read it and, man, there's a lot to be unpacked there!
I’ll be interested to hear what you think of it!
I ♥️ NY has a lot to answer for, Lisa!
Hadn’t thought about that connection, but you’re right!
More parallel than you might think as it was designed as a tourism slogan and became a badge of local pride
Great story, Lisa! My Aunty Dora, whom you may have met, told us that she left Europe from Riga in the early 1900s, along with my grandmother. Shelley and I visited in 2014. Beautiful city!
Thank you, Aaron—and thank you so much for becoming a paid subscriber! I hadn’t realized that Dora and your grandmother came from Latvia. These days at least it seems a nice place to be from. Maybe you should look into dual citizenship?