Riga Hansa Rotary Club

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Service above self!

Rotary is a worldwide organization that brings together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian support, promote high ethical standards in all professions, help carry out acts of goodwill and contribute to peace in the world.

Rotary principles

To support and foster the ideal of service in the public interest as the foundation of worthy activity, especially by supporting and encouraging:

• the development of personal contacts and using them for service;
• high ethical standards in work and professional life;
• recognition of the value of every useful occupation;
• raising the prestige of every Rotarian's occupation by serving society;
• the ideal of service in every Rotarian's personal, professional and public life;
• the strengthening of international understanding, goodwill and peace through the worldwide fellowship of representatives of different businesses and professions united by the ideal of service.

Only four questions, yet the foundation for everything:

• Is it the truth?
• Is it fair to all concerned?
• Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
• Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

The Flag Song of the Latvian Rotary Clubs

Words by Māra Zālīte and music by Ivars Vīgners, a member of the Riga Hansa Rotary Club. This Flag Song was established by the Riga Hansa Rotary Club and is sung at the opening of the club meeting on the first Monday of every month. Later it was adopted by all Rotary clubs in Latvia.

Founding

The Riga Hansa Rotary Club was founded on 17 May 1996.

The Riga Hansa Rotary Club (RHRK) is the second Rotary club in Latvia. Its first meeting home was the Hotel Latvija. At the time of its founding the club had 33 members, many of them well-known public figures. The first president was Viktors Kulbergs, president of the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and general director of Auto Riga. During the founding process, the district governor's representative was Ēvalds Ikaunieks, adviser to the Cabinet of Ministers, and the president-elect was Jānis Dripe.

We are in a joint district with Sweden and part of the Swedish clubs. The district was No. 2410; today the number has changed to 2405, in association with Rotary in Sweden. From the very beginning, our projects, meetings and participation in district events have been closely connected with the Swedish Rotary movement. This broadened our international scope and helped us become better acquainted with Rotarian traditions and aims. The restoration of the Riga club in an independent Latvian state became possible in 1992. On 5 March 1996 Rotary International accepted RHRK into the worldwide Rotary family.

Captions: RHRK members at the time of founding in 1996. Viktors Kulbergs and District Governor Hugo Keller show the charter certificate of the Riga Hansa Rotary Club.

A brief history

Rotary activities and sources of information

On 9 March 1998, under the leadership of the Riga Hansa Rotary Club, the Latvian Rotary monthly magazine began publication. Its editor-in-chief was club member and theologian Vilis Vārsbergs. The magazine, titled Rotkalis Latvijai, was initially published in print. Later, as communication moved into the digital environment, its role diminished, because contact now takes place through Rotary websites, WhatsApp groups and other channels. Our club has created WhatsApp announcement, greeting and information pages. It is a pleasure when, on members' name days and birthdays, these pages fill with flowers and warm wishes.

The Rotary movement in Latvia can be read about in the Latvian National Encyclopedia entry at enciklopedia.lv/skirklis/91605. RHRK members also took part in preparing this entry.

A key element of the Rotary movement is the bond and continuity between generations. The only living participant of a pre-war Rotary club in Latvia was Kārlis Skalders (1901-2001). He became the symbolic and also legal link that made it possible, after the restoration of Latvia's independence, to restore - rather than found anew - the Rotary movement in Latvia. Skalders' life story was published by Jumava under the title Laikmeta zīmē. The book connects the Rotary movement that began in free Latvia and was interrupted by the Soviet occupation. Rotary could be reborn only after the restoration of the Latvian state.

Skalders was a student of the first graduating class of the University of Latvia, a participant in the Latvian War of Independence and the author of several books on medicine. His contribution was the restoration of the Riga Rotary Club: he had become a member in 1938 and, throughout the war and Soviet occupation, had secretly preserved the registration documents of the Riga Rotary Club. When the opportunity arose to restore Rotary in Latvia, Skalders became the living link between pre-war Rotarians and the future Rotarians of Latvia in the 1990s.

Caption: At the conference marking Kārlis Skalders' 100th birthday, RHRK member Guntis Bērziņš gave an address. Skalders' book is presented to Rotarians, supporters of Rotary, libraries and many readers.

The beginnings of Rotary in Latvia

From a paper by RHRK member Ēvalds Ikaunieks:

“The Riga Rotary Club was founded on 22 March 1932 in the Otto Schwarz restaurant of the Hotel de Rome. In volume 2846 of the Latvian State Historical Archives, the original charter certificate has been preserved with the signature of the then Rotary International president Clinton P. Anderson. Paul Harris' notes about his visit to Riga have also survived: 'Latvia is undoubtedly strong in its national aspirations and goals. To build their own culture, undisturbed by outside power - that is most important to them. They are ready to make any sacrifice to achieve this goal.' On 21 March 1939 the Liepāja Rotary Club was founded. Its first president was Gabriels Krišmanis, head of the Liepāja Free Port.

The work of the Rotary movement was interrupted by the invasion of Soviet troops and the occupation that followed, which used violence against free Latvia and its people, including civic organizations. During the Year of Terror, nearly half of Latvian Rotarians were arrested, deported and died. Together with the most active part of society, separated from their families and children, Rotarians endured the road of suffering to Siberia in cattle wagons.”

The Latvian Rotary movement has many significant events, but we cannot cover them all while marking RHRK's thirtieth anniversary. We therefore mention several joint events that had a major impact on the movement's development and expansion.

The first Latvian Rotary Forum in Riga, at the House of the Blackheads - 8 April 2000

At that time there were already 14 Rotary clubs - Riga, Riga Hansa, Kuldīga, Liepāja, Valmiera, Rīdzene, Talsi, Ogre, Jelgava, Riga International, Valka, Jūrmala, Tukums, Ventspils and Salaspils - as well as the youth Riga Rotaract Club. In 2000 the Gulbene Rotary Club, for which we are “godfathers,” and the Cēsis Rotary Club were also founded.

In November 2000, at the initiative of the Riga Hansa Rotary Club, members of all clubs issued an appeal to Latvia. Its closing words were: “We call on everyone who has enough common sense, moral backbone and courage to oppose corruption of every kind! Let us make it impossible in Latvia!” This appeal remains valid for Rotarians to this day. Corruption still gnaws at Latvia and, although it is decreasing, the duty and moral responsibility of every Rotarian is to place obstacles in its path and to uphold honesty, integrity and ethical conduct in all activity.

A major event in Latvian Rotary history - the centenary of Rotary, 26-27 February 2005

Every year the leadership of Rotary International changes, and each new president brings a motto, goals and appeal. Rotary International presidents' visits to Latvia and their mottos include:

• 2009-2010 John Kenny: “The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands”
• 2017-2018 Ian Riseley: “Making A Difference”
• 2018-2019 Barry Rassin: “Be The Inspiration”
• 2022-2023 Jennifer Jones: “Imagine Rotary”

The visit of Rotary International President John Kenny to Latvia from 19 to 23 March 2010 became especially warm and moving. Much of the organizational burden fell on RHRK, and therefore there are many memories.

John Kenny warned: “The Bible says that from those to whom much is given, much is expected. Rotarians are people who have been fortunate in life; therefore we must help those who are not doing so well. Rotary is interested in cooperation with other non-governmental organizations and representatives of authority, but we must be careful in choosing partners. We must not cooperate with those who want to use our name and the trust we have earned in society.” The then District 2410 Governor Leif Carlsson replied: “We can say with our hands on our hearts that absolutely all the money goes to charity projects.” RHRK members have always kept this requirement in mind: to cooperate with honest, wise and morally convincing partners.

John Kenny felt at home here - we saw it in his eyes when he met children supported by the Cēsis Rotarians. In children's eyes we must try to see our future.

Caption: Riga Hansa Rotary Club members with their spouses during a meeting with Rotary International President John Kenny.

100 years of the Rotary movement

Rotary philosophy and the moral foundations of the movement

A paper by RHRK member Prof. Maija Kūle: “Future challenges for Europe and Rotary's tasks” (excerpts), delivered at the 2011 Rotary Forum in Riga.

For us, Latvian Rotarians, the nearest task is to strengthen Nordic Rotarian fellowship and joint projects. At the same time we must keep the Rotary movement throughout Europe in view, because the European Union is our common home. During the visit of Rotary International President John Kenny to Riga, we paid more attention to Rotary as an international movement. Now the time has come to consider what Rotary can contribute to Europe's cohesion, mutual assistance and overcoming of crises. Rotary must affirm values, resist violent attempts to shape politics, and call governments and nations to reasonable and balanced action.

Culture, truth and solidarity in the broadest sense are at the center of Rotary thinking: the culture of business, human relations, organization and cooperation. Participation in Rotary, based on strict ethical requirements, creates trust among members and a shared positive atmosphere that cannot be fully expressed in words. No loud criticism or reproach is needed; the environment itself and the responsibility it brings educate and organize people. In Latvia it is an honor to be part of the Rotary movement and to work alongside so many outstanding personalities in their professions. In Latvia and Northern Europe, we know, Rotarians have always stood on the side of humane and solidaristic values.

Rotary is an affirmation of humanity, not of political power or of institutions. Rotary provides space for people to become involved individually through their own club, thereby joining two impulses: be yourself and be together with others. If Paul Harris initially put forward the motto “service, not self,” he later changed it to “service beyond self.”

Does what is happening in Europe today promote friendship in intercultural processes? It seems that the European Union has entered a zone of division that could threaten its continued unity. Will Europe have to return to the age-old question: what is it? Rotarians, as top-level professionals in their fields, can contribute greatly to such debates by seeking the most successful solution and arguing for it internationally, in solidarity and wisely. That would benefit everyone.

The worldwide Rotary movement can serve as a model showing how the local and the global can be connected. Rotary clubs are not national societies by their nature, yet they always feel their national attachment - their own place, whether a meeting venue, a restaurant, a city, a country or a region of the world. Selfless human internationalism stands above all.

Rotary is not only a place for organizing aid projects or managing funds obtained from abroad. It is also a place for cultivating the highest universal values of modern culture: the ability to combine excellence with humility, personal success with the ability to share it, individual self-sufficiency with openness toward fellow members, and professional specialization with the ability to perceive diversity. The spirituality carried by Rotary has not become democratic permissiveness. Rotary's ability to consolidate people does not lead to the socially unpleasant tendency to exploit them. Openness, friendship even in crisis and hardship, and international solidarity are Rotary's strength.

The breadth of the Rotary movement is reflected in its commitments: conflict resolution and peace where there is war; understanding where there is disharmony; food security where there is hunger; health protection where there is disease; education where there is illiteracy; and sustainable economic development where there is poverty.

The challenge for contemporary Europe is sustainability: the sustainability of the euro as a currency, of the European Union as a union of states, of the EU budget and more. It is in our interest as Rotarians to support this sustainability, if only to affirm the highest values of European civilization - not merely what will happen to finances, but freedom, human rights, democracy and social responsibility. The crisis that has swept Europe can also be overcome by relying on values long understood in the Rotary movement: truth, solidarity, assistance and responsibility. With such a program, Rotary covers the world's main problems and, as we can see, is able to offer people, ideas, finances and solutions.

Social and economic assistance is, and will remain, important for a long time, because there are many people in need on the planet. Yet attention must also be paid to new value challenges created by the twenty-first century, not only to eliminating devastation, ensuring safe food and fighting disease.

In the twenty-first century Rotary needs to be a convincing, internationally even stronger and universal moral movement when facing questions about conflicts between states created by financial crises and historical injustices. Ideologies and business interests divide people, but Rotary's mission is to be a movement for Europe and the whole world that brings people peace and help.

From Maija Kūle's speech in Cēsis on 14 April 2023 at the meeting of Rotary District 2410 (excerpts):

“If one may use the word aristocracy - not in the sense of a bourgeois class, but in the sense of ARISTOCRACY of personal growth and the desire to do charity - then this is a word that can be allowed when speaking about Rotary. The Rotary movement is significant precisely as a community of personalities, not merely an association, but something higher and nobler. It carries the ancient Christian message of mercy, help and growth into modern society, showing the ability to see and understand sorrow, to be empathetic and not only pragmatic.

Since 2022, clouds of war have thickened all over the world. Perhaps future Rotary must take on one of its psychotherapeutic missions: how to heal citizens beyond our borders who have become infected with violence, imperialism and the desire to wage war, because otherwise the idea of peace is only a fiction. Rotary International President R. Gordon McInally, elected for 2023-2024, paid special attention to mental health and Rotary's desire to achieve peace, but also to creating a situation in which warfare never starts anywhere. Rotary International's POLIO project to eradicate poliomyelitis has been successful; should not anti-violence - anti-thanatos, standing against the cult of death - the expulsion of the desire for death from the minds that promote war, be a cause worthy of Rotary's global mission? Therefore, to be in Rotary is also to bear responsibility for the fate of the West and of a free civilization.”

Governors of Districts 2410 and 2405 elected from among RHRK members

RHRK is together with Swedish Rotary clubs in a common district. Serving as District Governor is a great honor and brings many new responsibilities. We are proud that four governors have so far come from the members of RHRK.

Māris Slokenbergs, governor 2006-2007

“Every visit to a club has continued to fill me with admiration for the great mutual friendship of the Rotary movement, which crosses all national, political and religious borders. Is there a better organization in the fight for peace and friendship? We Rotarians want to serve those who need our support, and we ourselves rejoice that we can help. Good work has been done!”

Viktors Kulbergs (1948-2013), governor 2011-2012

Viktors Kulbergs told the story of Ubembers, the legendary bird that flies tail first: “My philosophy is that there are no dead-end situations. If there is no door, there is a window to climb through. If there is no window, one must find a hole in the ceiling or the floor. If you cannot fly normally, fly like Ubembers - tail first, always forward and with a smile!”

Jānis Andersons, governor 2016-2017

“To be a Rotarian is a conscious and free choice. To be a Rotarian means to experience meaningful life experience and the joy of giving. The foundation of every Rotarian is a well-organized Rotary club. Through Rotary, together we can accomplish good things throughout the world.”

Jānis Teteris, governor 2025-2026

“When we celebrate Rotary club anniversaries, we honor the people, ideas and works that create strong and responsible communities. As Rotary International District 2405 Governor and a member of the Riga Hansa Rotary Club, I can say with sincere pride: Rotary is a wonderful organization. It is a movement that creates long-term positive change locally and globally. Rotary's strength is in people - professionals, leaders with values, friends with a shared goal to serve. Every member, with his or her experience, knowledge and passion, shapes the club's identity and impact. A strong club means a united team built on trust, friendship and a common vision. Rotary projects are acts of goodwill that help communities, strengthen society and bring hope where it is needed most. With every project we carry out, we prove that Rotary's strength lies in action and responsibility. Let us be proud that we are Rotarians! Let us be active in our communities!”

Juris Jākobsons, District Rotary Foundation Chair 2021-2022 and 2026-2027

“The Rotary Foundation finances Rotary club projects and various Rotary programs that make Rotary known in the world and affect the lives of many people beyond Rotary. In 1986 the Rotary Foundation began, and still leads, the fight to eradicate poliomyelitis from the Earth. The Rotary Foundation is funded only by voluntary donations from Rotary members and other donors; therefore it is every Rotary member's honorable duty to support the Rotary Foundation with voluntary contributions.

As District 2405 Rotary Foundation Chair, I am pleased to have the opportunity to spread knowledge about the Rotary Foundation in our district, help clubs prepare and implement their projects, and encourage Rotary members to donate to the Rotary Foundation's charitable funds in order to make the world better.”

Life stories of the Riga Hansa Rotary Club

The first decade, 1996-2006

A collective is made strong by shared work. The first ten years of the Riga Hansa Rotary Club already proved this.

We began projects both by taking over initiatives from the Riga Rotary Club and with support from foreign clubs. The Strazdumuiža Boarding School for blind children received new equipment and apparatus worth USD 35,000 in cooperation with the Skoyen Rotary Club from Norway. This was the first Matching Grant project. It proved highly successful and was later crowned, in 2000, by an investment of USD 70,000. With the support of the Hagen Rotary Club, we began participating in a Matching Grant project to establish a prosthetics workshop at the Vaivari Rehabilitation Centre, and Rotary International supported our joint project with USD 50,000. Seeing that the investment bore fruit, our German friends provided an additional donation of DM 230,000.

During these years support was given to children's homes in Lejasstrazdi, Lielvārde, Lielplatone, Krāslava, Irši, Gatarta and Riga; to schools in Pumpuri and Gaujiena; to the Riga boarding school for children with hearing impairment; and to the elderly care home in Ērgļi. Over two years, in cooperation with German clubs and the St. John's Aid organization, a soup kitchen was equipped and maintained. A new roof was placed on the school in Lielvārde; furniture, computer equipment and minibuses were purchased; kitchens and sanitary facilities were improved in schools, boarding schools and elderly care homes. Every year Christmas gifts were provided for at least two children's homes or boarding schools. All of this is our contribution.

• Lejasstrazdi Children's Home, total investment LVL 4,234 = EUR 5,928.
• Gaujiena Special Boarding Primary School, total RHRK investment LVL 6,336 = EUR 8,870.
• Reflectors for schoolchildren - “Be visible and see for yourself,” total investment LVL 7,048 = EUR 9,867.

Our Rotary “daughters,” Jūlija Brauere and Elīna Bukša, received a good education and today carry Latvia's name into the world. A Matching Grant project was begun in Ķekava (USD 82,000 = EUR 75,516) with the aim of involving young people in purposeful leisure activities and teaching a humane attitude toward others. By doing good works we gained friend clubs in Germany, Sweden, Norway and England, and everywhere we also enjoyed municipal support. Yet not everything that was invested continued. For various reasons - including changes in municipal strategies, school closures and political changes in the country - some of our projects did not achieve sustainability.

The second decade, 2006-2016

Cooperation with Latvian schools continues

During these years the main direction of our work had already taken shape: to support education in every possible way.

Cibla School

In the 2015/2016 school year, Cibla Secondary School had 129 pupils and 23 teachers. The school implemented a primary education program. For Rotarians, cooperation with this school became especially meaningful.

Teacher Marija Kārkla writes: “Cooperation with RHRK began in 2008. The school lacked a good English-language specialist and teaching materials. RHRK was responsive, and with the club's support teaching sets and dictionaries were purchased for LVL 1,472. A trip to an opera performance in Riga was organized and the tickets were paid for. We received LVL 300 for the purchase of musical instruments, with the interesting condition that they be ordered from local instrument makers. For the boarding section of Cibla School, 12 beds and one sofa were purchased for a total of LVL 1,100. After grade 12, pupil Ilze Mileiko went to an international youth camp in Denmark. Ilze was a teacher in the Possible Mission program and thanks the Rotary club, especially Toms Siliņš.

In 2010 a soup kitchen was created and funds were allocated for its operation, totaling LVL 1,620. In all, RHRK provided EUR 4,594 for meals. Cibla Secondary School also received a donation of LVL 3,000 with the support of club member Māris Slokenbergs. With this money, two woodworking lathes, a planer, a circular saw, a bandsaw, a sanding machine, vices and other smaller tools were purchased so that the boys' home-economics room could function effectively. In the girls' home-economics room, a new stove and sewing machine were purchased, and members of the dance group received new traditional footwear. In 2011 RHRK sponsored regular dinners in the Cibla Secondary School boarding section for children from eight families. Four excursions were also organized using club funds: to the AHHAA Centre in Tartu, to a theatre performance in Riga, to the Aglona Bread Museum and to Valmiera for an excursion and theatre performance. It is good to have anniversaries, because then one can truly evaluate what has been done. And much has been done.

Thank you to the Riga Hansa Rotary Club on behalf of Cibla Secondary School and from me personally. May each of you have good health and inspiration to continue doing good - truly and from the heart. With respect, Marija Kārkla.”

We fulfilled the pupils' dream of going on an excursion to the Tartu University Observatory, and in return we received enthusiastic essays. That was the pupils' own contribution to the trip.

The impressions of grade 11 pupils were powerful. Aivis Vonogs wrote: “We enter the old town and it charms us; we feel a sense of togetherness. We come to the University of Tartu, feel uplifted and are filled with a patriotic spirit, because what great Latvians have drawn knowledge here!” Kristiāna Kutenkova wrote: “The planetarium room itself, round like a ball, was very impressive. Everything seems so real, and you feel that any moment you could touch a planet or a star.”

RHRK investment: EUR 15,720.

Long-term projects - Lejasstrazdi Children's Home

The director of the Lejasstrazdi Children's Home actively sought support for “her children” wherever she could and found us. For ten years we supported various children's events and initiatives. In 2002, with our support, the winners of the children's home competitions “Superboy” and “Supergirl” travelled to Rovaniemi.

Caption: A gift of musical instruments to Cibla School. Rotarians Dace Penke and Toms Siliņš with pupils and teacher Marija Kārkla. Toms Siliņš led a lesson, and when he asked what the pupils liked most, one girl answered: his smile.

Riga Airport donated two used minibuses and two washing machines to the children's home. We donated sports equipment, garden tools and theatre visits in Riga. We supported the dance group's trip to Italy. For several years the children received Christmas gifts from us.

Total RHRK investment: LVL 4,234.

Gaujiena Special Boarding Primary School

Although the goal of the Matching Grant at Gaujiena Boarding Primary School was to equip a carpentry workshop, we supported the school for ten years. We purchased equipment for the home-economics classroom, greeted the children at Christmas for five years, and, together with the Rotarian investment in the Matching Grant project, helped establish the carpentry workshop.

Total RHRK investment: LVL 6,336.

Reflectors for schoolchildren - “Be visible and see for yourself”

So many accidents on dark rural roads made us think. We found a manufacturer of reflectors and contacted the Ministry of Education and Science and the education departments of local municipalities. Over three years we distributed 23,000 reflectors. Those of our members who took reflectors to the schools they themselves had attended felt particular satisfaction.

Total RHRK investment: LVL 7,048.

Support program for rural schools in Latgale

During the crisis years, low-income rural families had the hardest time. We decided to visit schools far away in Latgale and signed cooperation agreements with four schools: Pušmucova, Aizgārša, Nukši and Mežvidi. The Rotary club helped the schools feed children from low-income families and purchase necessary teaching materials, while we gained good friends in Germany, Sweden, France and England. Our Rotarian friends in Rendsburg and Münster, Germany, responded. Caption: Lunch at Mežvidi Primary School.

In addition to free lunches for pupils, kitchen equipment, a classroom board, books, winter footwear, desks, benches and other useful items were purchased. During a school excursion it turned out that many of the children were in Riga for the first time, a significant moment in their lives.

Total RHRK investment: EUR 14,946.

Rauda Boarding Primary School

This school implemented two special primary education programs: one for children with intellectual-development disorders and another for children with severe intellectual-development disorders. For 45 pupils - orphans and children from disadvantaged families - as well as for teachers, Rotary supported the learning process, health care and daily care.

For these purposes, in 2010 a minibus, technical equipment and sports equipment were purchased. Project participants were the Riga Hansa Rotary Club; Nykvarn Rotary Club, District 2370, Sweden; Rotary Taunton Vale Club, District 1200, Great Britain; and Rotary Redon Club, District 1650, France. By providing support, we hoped that the children would better acquire skills for independent life after leaving school. Unfortunately, Rauda Boarding Primary School was closed in October 2025, but Rotary's investment was future-oriented, inclusive and full of empathy.

Total RHRK investment: USD 21,750 = EUR 21,750.

Caption: Children of Rauda Boarding Primary School and Rotarian Gundega Zeltiņa.

The story of the women of Iļģuciems Prison and Rotary

An unusual project, “Support for the inmates of Iļģuciems Prison,” brought great satisfaction to both recipients and donors. It is difficult to be in prison and, during that time, to change - to receive educational opportunities, to gain an understanding of a meaningful life and morality, and to help others who are in hardship. For that to happen, a challenge is needed that comes from beyond the prison walls. The Riga Hansa Rotary Club project gave such an impulse to the women prisoners. Poet Maira Asare, who had once been imprisoned in Iļģuciems, said: “Here space is so inhumanly compressed and deformed that it practically no longer exists; and one feels that, because of that, time has no connection with us either. Like a terrifying heavy carousel, it turns in its own endless circle.”

Members of the Riga Hansa Rotary Club entered this space with music, poetry, philosophical thoughts, yarn for knitting and stories about people in need in India who required help. Then one could breathe again. The main thing is the feeling of a good deed, which cleanses the soul.

The third decade, 2016-2026

Scholarships in cooperation with the Vītols Fund

We regard help in obtaining a good education as one of the most important service goals of RHRK, because a wise young person will build a wise, ethical and responsible society. For 19 years, from 2007 to 2026, in cooperation with the Vītols Fund, RHRK and our Rotarians have financed 615 scholarships. Some students have already graduated and are successfully working in their professions; others are still studying. We maintain regular contact with the Vītols Fund, and the students themselves visit our club and report on their progress.

Caption: On 17 May 2022, students - future teachers who received club scholarships that school year - visited the club: Elīza Anna Smilga, Liepāja University, mathematics teacher; Kristiāns Toms Saliņš, University of Latvia, mathematics teacher; and Katrīna Adijāne, Rēzekne Academy of Technologies, primary-school teacher.

After receiving his diploma from Rīga Stradiņš University, resident physician in neurology Sandis Mauriņš wrote to us:

“My choice to study medicine was spontaneous - I wanted at least once to try opening the heavy doors of the Anatomikum and to look into the everyday life of the medical profession. I had just finished gymnasium and, with great enthusiasm and a little fear, went to Riga to begin medical studies. Studies at Rīga Stradiņš University were intense and demanding, so the opportunity to concentrate fully on learning was very important. Your scholarship allowed me to focus on what mattered most, and as a result I graduated from the university with excellent and outstanding grades. The scholarship was not only financial support, but also strong encouragement and a sign of trust at a time when the goal was still on the way to being achieved. Our meetings before Christmas were no less meaningful and inspiring, when we could look back at what had been accomplished and at the same time talk about future plans and opportunities.

I now work as a resident physician in neurology at Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital, where I continue to develop in my chosen specialty. In the future I want to become a strong and competent professional in my field, with special interest in neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases. I know that there is still a long road ahead, but the foundation was laid during my studies, and your support at that stage was especially important.

Thank you for your trust and your investment in my education over all these years. Your scholarship helped me achieve an important life goal, and for that I am truly grateful.”

Young engineering specialist Elvijs Vanags writes:

“Marking the club's 30th anniversary, I want to express heartfelt thanks for the opportunity to be a Viktors Kulbergs Memorial Scholar for four years. This support was not only a financial investment in my studies at RTU, but also an important sign of trust and a motivation to purposefully develop my professional path.

My choice of study direction began largely with an opportunity provided by Gulbene District State Gymnasium: to travel to Germany to gather information for a scientific research paper. There I was hosted by a family whose father was the technical manager of a large woodworking company. Visiting the production facility, I was truly fascinated by how well-considered technical solutions can organize production so that a product is created with minimal physical effort from people. I was impressed by the level of automation - how precisely, effectively and harmoniously everything functioned. A year later I went to work at this company during the summer, and my interest in production processes only strengthened. That experience became the basis for my decision to study engineering sciences, focusing on production processes, automation and improving efficiency.”

“At present I connect my professional work with the development of production processes and the introduction of automation solutions. In the future my goal is to create and develop modern, efficient and competitive production solutions in Latvia, with special attention to robotics and smart technologies. I want not only to improve existing processes, but also to create new opportunities for companies to become more productive and sustainable.

Once again I thank you for the support and investment in my studies. Your work and belief in young professionals truly create the foundation for a strong and developed society.”

Thanks to RHRK scholarships in cooperation with the Vītols Fund, EUR 64,864 was donated from 2007 to 2026.

Possible Mission

We have supported the education program Possible Mission since 2009; the association was founded in 2008. Its goal is to strengthen education as a value in Latvia, and its foundation is a good teacher. We also want Latvia to have young people capable of driving change in schools - talented teachers and leaders. Each year two future teachers received an RHRK scholarship. Kārlis Kravis, Anda Priedīte, Ieva Rukšāne and Zane Kālberga, for example, have already completed the program.

More than 200 teachers - education leaders - have graduated from the program. Eighty percent of all graduates still work in education: as teachers, methodologists, school principals, experts at the Ministry of Education and Science, other state institutions and several municipalities, where they take part in shaping education policy. This means that their contribution to education in Latvia continues both in the classroom, working directly with pupils, and at the broader system level, shaping the environment that affects the daily lives of many children and teachers in our country.

RHRK investment: EUR 23,916.

Libraries

Books have always been at the center of Rotarians' attention, because they provide knowledge, develop the mind and help people live. The schools in Vārme and Eleja, as well as the Gatarta Library, received the books they wanted. A large part was donated from our own home libraries. Books worth EUR 923 alone were purchased for the Gatarta Library.

Mathematics Olympiads, exchange of experience and work with young people

The tradition of organizing team Mathematics Olympiads was begun in 2003 by Dace Andžāne, mathematics teacher at Riga State Gymnasium No. 1. Today the Olympiads are organized every year by the pupils themselves. Over time they have grown into a true forge of mathematical knowledge, with teams from all over Latvia taking part. It is no accident that the organizers call themselves “The Open Set.” From 2017 to 2020 we supported the organization of the Olympiads with EUR 2,452.

Studies and experience abroad

From the club's founding until 2026, various foreign Rotary clubs financed scholarships for Latvian young people, mainly for studies abroad but also in Riga. RHRK's responsibility was to select the scholarship recipients.

• A master's scholarship in marine ecology at the University of St Andrews in Scotland.
• A Rotary International scholarship of USD 25,000.
• A master's scholarship at the University of Cambridge for a lecturer of the University of Latvia.
• One-year scholarships at the University of Georgia, USA, for two students.
• A one-year exchange program for a pupil in Alaska, USA.
• A one-year scholarship for a student in Japan.
• Buskerud College in Kongsberg, Norway, where students spent one month each semester, altogether five or six students.
• In cooperation with the Swedish Art Promotion Association and the Linköping Rotary Club, six Art Academy students exhibited their works in Linköping over three years. They had the opportunity to visit Swedish artists' studios and present themselves in various exhibition halls.
• A scholarship from the Swedish Linköping club for one student of the Academy of Art, Music or Culture: USD 1,000 per year.

Junior Achievement and RYLA

For several years we have supported school initiatives to take part in the young leaders' movement. In cooperation with the Kongsberg Rotary Club, the Norwegian Embassy and the RTU Student Business Incubator, we provide consultations to young people seeking support for the realization of their ideas.

At the 2010 Christmas fair, the Riga Hansa Rotary Club was recognized with two achievements: E&K, grade 4 of Garkalne Secondary School, for “lucky stones”; and Bluķis, Cēsis Vocational Secondary School, for wooden products.

For several years we have supported and financed young people's participation in RYLA seminars. Getting to know and gaining new friends in other countries is a wonderful forge of ideas for the young people's own future and leadership. Participation in the Baltic Sea camp is also a forum for learning, sport and getting to know neighbors. Last summer five young people took part. The 2026 RYLA seminar will take place in Valmiera from 7 to 10 May, and we will continue to support it.

RHRK - initiator and supporter of the founding of the Riga Interact Club

On 10 October we congratulated a newly and officially founded Interact Club of Riga in Latvia. RHRK President Toms Siliņš (2023-2024) presented the charter certificate.

RHRK members Juris Jākobsons, Aigars Milts, Jānis Teteris and club president Mikus Lācis met the Interact youth Alise Zemzare, Agate Dosberga and Henriks Miesnieks. The Riga Interact young people spoke about their plans, and we shared our experience.

Christmas greeting cards prepared by Interact Riga and decorated with the help of Zvaigzne cafe visitors were delivered to their recipients - a social care center and a children's home - along with mandarins and gingerbread.

The first projects are also supported financially. We take care not only on the club charter day but also take part in various other youth activities of the club. Five young people also participated in the Baltic Sea summer camp. Total: EUR 4,075.

The large computer project

Digital support for the regions

In the summer of 2019 the Riga Hansa Rotary Club equipped rural schools with nearly 100 computer systems, bringing them from a Swedish municipality to the Latvian countryside. In the memories of Riga Hansa Rotary Club members, this project - perhaps not large, but emotionally very meaningful - remains vivid: the delivery of computer equipment to Latvian rural schools.

The “engine” and author of the idea was our club member Jānis Andersons. Thanks to his broad contacts in Scandinavia, a unique opportunity arose to obtain almost three pallets of HP Compaq DC7900 computers and monitors. A Swedish municipality had decided to replace its equipment, but the old computers were in working order, well maintained and ready to continue serving. Our club's task was to transform the potential of this “hardware” into real support. To make the computers fully ready for the learning process, the club purchased new keyboards and mice from its own funds and made the necessary updates. The young people from the Ķekava Youth Initiative Centre helped greatly, cleaning all the computers and installing the new programs.

Logistics challenges and team spirit

To deliver almost 100 computer sets to their destinations, careful planning was needed. We remember how, together with club member Arnis Salnājs, we undertook the logistics management.

It was true teamwork. We drove with our private cars and, in order to manage everything, even borrowed a minibus from the then Chancery of the President of Latvia. The Ķekava Youth Centre became our logistics hub. Its young people provided invaluable help in preparing the equipment and organizing its onward delivery to the regions.

The real satisfaction was the joy of the teachers and pupils. Our priority was small rural schools in Bauska, Talsi and other municipalities of Vidzeme and Zemgale, where reducing the digital divide was especially urgent.

The most vivid memory is a conversation with a teacher, apparently from the Bauska side. Receiving the equipment, he said with bitterness but also enormous relief: “Our previous computers were bought back when we still used lats. They are so outdated that it was no longer possible to provide a proper learning process.” Seeing the genuine joy in the teachers' eyes and knowing that pupils would finally be able to acquire digital skills using suitable equipment, all the invested work paid off many times over.

Thank you to the team. This project would not have succeeded without the active involvement of our club members. Thanks to the idea's author, Jānis Andersons, and also to Lauris Rasa, Dace Penke, Jānis Teteris, Arnis Salnājs, Santa Graikste and everyone else who helped. Although several years have passed, this summer 2019 work still serves us - the Riga Hansa Rotary Club and me, Edijs Tanons, personally - as a reminder of how much can be done by bringing together contacts, resources and the desire to help.

RHRK investment: EUR 1,097.

The Latvian National Encyclopedia

In 2020 the Latvian National Encyclopedia included the entry “Rotary movement in Latvia,” describing Rotary's aims and tasks. There were many discussions, fact-gathering and a summary of Rotary work, including RHRK's contribution. Every Rotary deed brings its own investment, and our district also recognized this by financially supporting the project. Link to the entry: enciklopedia.lv/skirklis/91605.

Young talents

Support for the growth of young talents

Jūlija Brauere, principal soloist of the Latvian National Ballet - supported and raised by RHRK

Ēvalds Ikaunieks: “Here you see one of the most beautiful projects of Latvian Rotarians - and it sounds like a Cinderella story.”

The story is this: “Once there lived a Latvian orphan girl named Jūlija in Siberia. Fate allowed her to take part in a 3x3 camp in Latvia. There, while teaching the simplest Latvian folk dances, the teachers noticed that Jūlija danced with incredible grace. She was only ten years old, and she did not return to Siberia. She was admitted to the Riga Choreography School even though the entrance examinations had already passed. During school years Jūlija lived in the dormitory, and the Riga Hansa Rotary Club granted her a monthly scholarship, constantly trying to look after and support her. Despite Jūlija's shyness, she soon began to be entrusted with small roles. In 2011 Lita Beiris sent Jūlija to a competition in Seoul. At the Seoul International Ballet Competition the young ballerina received the Ballet Chairman award and a scholarship to study at the prestigious Washington School of Ballet, where she spent the 2011/2012 season. The Riga Hansa Rotarians arranged her air ticket to America.”

The Riga Hansa Rotary Club began supporting the young dancer's studies in 2004 and followed them closely.

Jūlija became an artist of the Latvian National Ballet in 2013. Later she won first place in the “Crystal Slipper” competition in Ukraine, was a semi-finalist in the Valentina Kozlova International Ballet Competition in New York in 2013, and received the Boston Latvian Heritage Foundation “Oscar” award. In 2016 she won second place in the International Baltic Ballet Competition, and in 2017 a bronze medal at the South Korea International Ballet Festival. She received the Latvian National Opera Foundation award as best ballet soloist of the 2017/2018 season and the Latvian Dance Award 2019 in the category Classical Dance Performer. In 2017 she danced the role of Juliet in Romeo and Juliet at the Slovenian National Ballet in Maribor. In 2020 she danced Odette-Odile in Swan Lake at the Cairo Opera Ballet in Egypt.

Caption: Ballet performance in 2023, La Fille mal gardée.

In 2020 Jūlija received the Helēna Tangijeva-Birzniece Ring Award from the Ballet Association for achievements in ballet. She has danced her dream roles - Marie in Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker, Juliet in Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet, and others. Today she is a leading Latvian ballet soloist whose dance is marked by dazzling technical precision, plasticity and musical interpretation, all crowned by delicate bodily grace. We are proud.

In scholarships we have paid Jūlija LVL 13,194 (EUR 18,770), and Latvian families in America also helped her greatly.

Elīna Bukša - a joyful, feminine and talented violinist

Elīna Bukša is the Rotarians' “daughter.” RHRK supported Elīna's studies with a scholarship for four years. We had no doubt that she could become an outstanding violinist after completing studies at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel. The musician received the Grand Music Award in 2012 in the category “Debut of the Year” and is a laureate of the prestigious Windsor International String Competition. Since her debut with the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra at the age of twelve, Elīna Bukša has performed with the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra and today appears regularly in concerts and festivals, collaborating with various ensembles and orchestras.

Her playing has been heard in many outstanding concert halls in Europe with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of Liège, the Southwest German Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Chamber Orchestra of Wallonia, Kansai Symphony Orchestra under Augustin Dumay and others. Elīna has performed with Gérard Caussé, Maria João Pires, Augustin Dumay, Frank Braley, Henri Demarquette, the Modigliani Quartet and others. The Gramophone wrote: “Elīna Bukša must be praised; her commitment never disappoints. Her reading has sudden tension and dazzling passages. The violinist attentively and carefully leads the listener to the thrilling finale.”

Elīna Bukša plays a 1723 Domenico Montagnana violin made available to her by the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel. She herself says that she has learned most about violin playing from this outstanding instrument. “Music, of course, is wonderful, but do not forget simply to live,” the musician reminds us. From an interview on 22 December 2021.

RHRK investment in Elīna's education: EUR 7,162.

Alise Siliņa - on the way to fulfilling a dream

Alise graduated from Alfrēds Kalniņš Cēsis Music School, where she studied accordion. Growing up in a family where her mother's accordion often sounded, she fell in love with the instrument as a child and dreamed of studying at the Royal Academy of Music in London. With admirable purposefulness and persistence, in 2021 Alise not only passed a huge competition in the entrance examinations - her professor reportedly had tears in his eyes when she finished playing - but also gathered the first payment for her studies.

“Every day here in London has brought something special: daily study work and master classes under the guidance of the world's outstanding teachers, stage experience performing solo and in chamber ensembles on smaller and larger stages, a debut in an opera orchestra, participation in world premieres and, finally, a debut on the Shakespeare's Globe stage - all of this was and is worth the great dreams,” says Alise.

Alise convinced her professor of her talent, and on his recommendation she exchanged the classical accordion for a button accordion made specially for her in Italy. She also received an academy scholarship for the bachelor's program. She has now graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in London and decided to continue at the London Symphony Orchestra school. She has performed with the London and Brighton symphony orchestras, in solo concerts and in various musical projects in Latvia and abroad.

Alise believed firmly in her dream, and it came true. We believe she will also reach the highest peaks of world music. “I am indescribably grateful to everyone who was part of this great and emotional journey.” We are proud of you, Alise.

For four years we helped Alise cover daily expenses with regular monthly support, totaling EUR 7,200 (2021-2025).

Support for those who will achieve what they want and those who need it most

“Dove of Peace” in Ķekava, 2015-2017 - preventing violence in Ķekava municipality

During the project, children and young people were provided with opportunities and a place for meaningful leisure time at the Youth Initiative Centre. The “Dove of Peace” was intended to teach young people mutual tolerance, communication and expression of emotions without aggression - in other words, social skills - and to offer activities that could interest and inspire them, so that they would not have to sit bored and smoking on a bench at a bus stop. Thus every young person could find something suitable.

Activities were organized in various directions, for example:

• Photo and video studio: what must be learned for photography and filmmaking?
• Computer school: learning computer graphics.
• Journalism school: what must a journalist know?
• DJ school: music styles, mixing music and working with a DJ console.

Caption: Unveiling of the Rotary plaque at the Youth Initiative Centre building in 2015. The centre is no longer located in this building.

Other activities included:

• Craft school: what stylish things can be made from recycled materials?
• Theatre school: how to perform convincingly on stage, play a role and lead an event?
• Rhythm studio: how to create one's own rhythms and play unusual percussion instruments?

The project included staff training and discussions with parents. The Youth Initiative Centre cooperated with Ķekava Secondary School and the municipal police, which shared information and observations about young people's needs and behavior. Most importantly, the centre quickly became popular: 25 to 35 children visited it during the day and after school. The theatre performance Dzīvot. pārDzīvot won the main Āksta cepure LV award at the student theatre days in 2017, and other productions were later awarded as well.

The project became possible thanks to financing from the Bordesholm Rotary Club and the Riga Hansa Rotary Club.

Total investment: EUR 65,683.

Captions: Young people meet at the Ķekava Youth Initiative Centre in 2015. Basketball games were organized between police and youth teams. Young journalists learn how to interview.

The large project - Cerību spārni (Wings of Hope) - inspires

The cooperation between the Riga Hansa Rotary Club and the association Cerību spārni began in 2018 and over the years has become a stable, purposeful and long-term partnership. At the beginning of the cooperation the club supported the purchase of equipment for a woodworking workshop. Later it supported the purchase of a knitting machine, an overlock machine and a sewing machine, and also took part in fundraising for a specialized minibus to transport people with mobility impairments.

Regular visits to Sigulda, meetings with the association's leader Eva Viļķina and participation in joint events allowed the club to understand the centre's needs and directions of development well. In 2023 support was provided for the purchase of a ceramics kiln. As demand for services increased - Cerību spārni in Sigulda serves 148 people, including 95 adults with special needs and 53 children with functional impairments - the need arose to significantly expand workshop capacity.

The project provided useful workshop equipment, including a ceramics kiln, digital weaving looms, candle-making equipment, a sublimation printer, sewing equipment and more. Training was provided for workshop leaders and premises were adapted for people with mobility impairments by installing a lift.

This long-standing cooperation became the basis for a broader international project. In 2023, after a visit by the Münster-Himmelreich Rotary Club to Cerību spārni, a donation of EUR 10,000 was received.

Caption: Cerību spārni participants at practical work.

In cooperation with other partners, the Global Grant project “Cerību spārni - support for the development of new workshops for people with disabilities in Sigulda” was launched. Its goal was to improve the social and therapeutic skills of 40 people with disabilities and to enable 35 carers to return to the labor market.

The project was completed in February 2026. Many thanks to all cooperation partners without whom the project could not have been so successfully implemented: Riga Rīdzene Rotary Club, Münster-Himmelreich Rotary Club, Kongsberg Rotary Club, and donations (DDF) from Districts 1870, 2325, 2365, 2395 and 2405.

A significant result of the project was also its impact on families: more than 35 carers or family members returned to the labor market.

Captions: New workshop equipment was purchased. RHRK project curator Dace Penke with Eva Viļķina, leader of Cerību spārni. Eva has been the heart and soul of the association for more than 20 years. Her capacity for work and her ability to build a team and bring the idea of Cerību spārni to life in other municipalities are admirable.

More than 35 carers or family members returned to employment, mostly full-time, with an average income increase of about EUR 12,000 per year per person. In addition, 30 group and 3 individual supervision sessions were provided for workshop leaders, strengthening professional capacity and service quality. Overall, the project significantly promoted social integration, financial stability and sustainable development for both people with disabilities and their families, strengthening Cerību spārni as an important social support center in the Sigulda region.

RHRK member Toms Siliņš said: “Great, thank you all! From a small idea and the first seed money from our German friends, a powerful Rotary project emerged. We can be happy about it and be inspired for further good works.” We are satisfied with a job well done.

Total project budget: EUR 69,000 (USD 72,461).

Patron of the Year

On 31 March 2026, Sigulda municipality held its annual awards ceremony in the field of social and health care for the second time, honoring professionals for their contribution to society. At this special event, words of gratitude were also expressed to those who provide support, encourage, strengthen and help people believe in a better tomorrow. The Riga Hansa Rotary Club received the “Patron of the Year” award for its support to the association Cerību spārni, financing the association's work.

Caption: A warm and heartfelt gift from Cerību spārni to Latvia.

Sports events: football, handball and summer camps

A healthy mind in a healthy body

In cooperation with the Latvian Handball Association, Riga Hansa Rotary purchased handball equipment for children - inflatable goals, vests in two colors for teams and special smaller, softer handballs for children. On the Association's recommendation, club members delivered the equipment to six schools where physical-education teachers were interested in teaching handball. The cost was EUR 4,800. This became possible thanks to the contribution of our friends from the Münster-Himmelreich club.

We have supported many summer camps for pupils and associations, because we believe they help develop positive communication skills and strengthen health. For example, the Strenči Music School summer camp received EUR 400, the Labadaba summer camp received EUR 400, and others received support as well. During the pandemic we helped the association Hospiss with EUR 4,100 for meals for doctors and support staff.

Total investment: EUR 5,600.

Caption: Receiving the “Patron of the Year” award. From left: Ance Kaimiņa, deputy chair of the council; Eva Viļķina, chair of the board of Cerību spārni; Linards Kumskis, chair of the Sigulda Municipality Council; Dace Penke, RHRK project leader; Jevgeņijs Belezjaks, RHRK project coordinator; Sigma Ankrava, RHRK president; and Juris Jākobsons, RHRK project coordinator.

The award recognized the construction of a lift suitable for people with disabilities at the Sigulda care center, the purchase of equipment for creative workshops and staff training. We are proud of good works and pleased by the recognition.

A new stove and extractor hood for Zvannieki House

Zvannieki House, the charity association Ar mīlestību (With Love), has been our friend for many years. We admire Sandra's ability to love and guide young people from early childhood into independent adult life. Food must be prepared every day for up to 30 children; the older children also cook in the kitchen themselves, but a safe and high-capacity stove was needed. We provided and installed such a stove together with an extractor hood.

Total: EUR 1,846.

RHRK aid projects: the war in Ukraine

The story of Ukrainian children

At the initiative of the Rīdzene Rotary Club, led by president Mairita Solima, the international project “Children of War” was implemented in 2015. A group of RHRK activists became involved. Great thanks from both the Rotary movement in Latvia and from national policy makers go to RHRK member Aivars Kalniņš for tireless organization and planning. RHRK hosted four groups of Ukrainian children in Riga - children whose parents had suffered in the war or who lived in areas devastated by war. Donations were collected, and with the support of Rotary clubs a charity concert was organized. Such a large joint project of all Rotarians in Latvia had not happened before. It united Rotarians among themselves and in their relations with Latvian society.

Link mentioned in the booklet: karaberni.lv/2015/12/23/publicejam-akcijas-ukrainas-karaberni-budzetu/.

In 2024 we supported a Ukrainian children's summer camp in Ķekava with EUR 524. Photo: RHRK member Argita Daudze.

Captions: Children from Ukraine visit the Saeima, the Parliament of the Republic of Latvia, in Riga on 28 September 2015. A group of Ukrainian children visiting us for lunch.

We actively cooperate with the association Tavi Draugi and already in 2022 donated EUR 3,670 for freight transport. In cooperation with Ukrainian Rotarians, we have taken part in several of their Global Grant projects, for example with Rotary Club Vinnytsia Postup for the installation of drinking-water fountains in schools, EUR 12,000.

We also cooperated with the Kaunas Rotary Club in providing psychological assistance to Ukrainian refugees, EUR 300.

In September 2023 RHRK received EUR 25,000 from this fund. Over eight months we gradually used it to pay the fuel costs of Tavi Draugi for aid-cargo deliveries to Ukraine and also purchased a used van, which remained the association's property and serves for cargo deliveries.

Thanks to the active work and experience of our District Rotary Foundation Chair, we received USD 25,000 from the newly established Ukraine Support Fund within the Rotary Foundation. With these funds, in cooperation with Riga International Rotary Club, bleeding-control dressing kits were purchased for frontline needs.

Captions: Our co-financed Global Grant project GG2351640, “Supply of lifesaving medical equipment to the Kyiv Municipal Emergency Hospital,” was successfully completed. We have just received news that the generator we paid for (EUR 2,100) has already been connected and is operating at the Kyiv Heart Institute.

By bringing together three Swedish districts, funding of USD 100,000 was also obtained and used to set up temporary shelters for internally displaced persons in Ukraine, including in Bucha. Both projects in Ukraine were implemented by local Rotarians, purchasing everything needed on site.

On 13 May 2025 we participated in a public hearing of testimonies from victims of the occupation of Crimea. The hearing was organized by RHRK member Argita Daudze, former Ambassador of Latvia to Ukraine (2011-2015), who shared reflections on the war in Ukraine and its impact on Latvia and Europe. The meeting took place in the Baltic Hall of the Saeima, where two Ukrainian representatives, Akhmet Chiygoz and Irina Sedova, spoke about the painful days they experienced and the genocide against the Tatar population.

Captions: Argita Daudze speaks while Rotarians are among the audience. RHRK past president Jānis Andersons receives a letter of thanks in 2015 from Saeima Speaker Ināra Mūrniece for participation in the Children of War project.

Cooperation of the Riga Hansa Rotary Club with foreign Rotary clubs and participation in Global Grant / Matching Grant projects

Joint projects with foreign Rotary clubs

Rotary is our large family; we have friends and helpers near and far. When Latvia and its children were in especially difficult circumstances, we found responsive hearts in Belgium, France, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Norway, Germany, Sweden and Turkey. Joint projects can be listed, but words can hardly express the joy and satisfaction of having been able to do good works, even when one's own wallet was rather thin. We cannot name everyone here, but we are grateful to all our cooperation partners for their participation and trust.

1996-1997

• Hagen Rotary Club, District 1900, Germany, donated DEM 300,000 for the creation of a prosthetics workshop at the Vaivari Rehabilitation Centre.
• Skoyen Rotary Club, District 2310, Norway, financed a study-exchange program, special equipment and teaching materials for the Strazdumuiža boarding school for visually impaired and blind children in Riga: USD 30,000.
• Together with Kongsberg Rotary Club, District 2310, and the Norwegian government, academic training programs and books were delivered to RTU, enabling students to train at Kongsberg Industrial College: NOK 90,000.

1997-1998

• Together with Westerlo Rotary Club, District 1630, Belgium, teaching materials were purchased for Riga Pumpurs Primary School: USD 6,000.

1998-1999

• Oldenzaal Rotary Club, District 1560, Netherlands, provided a new roof for Lielvārde kindergarten: USD 15,050.

1999-2000

• Leverkusen Rotary Club, District 1810, Germany, participated in installing a lift at the Ērgļi elderly care home: USD 25,000.

• Together with Kongsberg Rotary Club, District 2310, Norway, an economics textbook library was donated to the Faculty of Economics at RTU: USD 8,000.
• Skoyen Rotary Club, District 2310, Norway, provided a minibus and special equipment for the Riga boarding secondary school for children with hearing impairments: USD 79,000.

2000-2001

• German Rotary clubs took part in equipping the Gaiļezers Children's Cardiology Centre with medical equipment: USD 30,000.
• Kongsberg Rotary Club, District 2310, Norway, provided four months of training over three years at Kongsberg Industrial College for two RTU students: USD 5,000.
• Swedish Rotary clubs, District 2410, donated books to three Eleja school libraries: USD 1,000.

2001-2002

• Together with Quickborn Rotary Club, District 1890, Germany, support for the St. John's Aid soup kitchen project was completed: USD 40,000.
• German Rotary clubs, District 1870, donated to the Daugavpils Public Rehabilitation Centre: USD 4,260.
• British Rotary clubs contributed to the purchase of a professional washing machine for the Riga children's home Vita: GBP 500.

2002-2003

• Laer Rotary Club, District 1870, Germany, donated a complete set of European Union legislation to the Faculty of Law of the University of Latvia, the only such set in the Republic of Latvia: USD 20,000.
• Together with the Children's Fund and German Rotary clubs, District 1870, playrooms and kitchen equipment were provided for the Daugavpils children's rehabilitation center Priedītes: USD 10,500.

2003-2004

• Norrköping Rotary Club, District 2410, Sweden, supplied curtains, curtain rods, blinds, chairs, shelves, desk lamps and computers for the Riga children's home Vita: USD 620.

2005-2006

• Together with Le Havre Rotary Club, France, and specialists from Columbus Hospital, equipment was purchased for the Eye Centre at Gaiļezers Hospital: USD 3,000.

• Essen Rotary Club, District 1890, Germany, supplied books for the library of the Baltic-German University Centre at RTU: EUR 23,000.

2009-2010

• Together with Himmelreich Rotary Club and Rendsburg Rotary Club, District 1870, Germany, we took part in the long-term project “Support for rural schools in Latgale”: EUR 14,946.

2010-2011

• Together with Torsås-Bergkvara Rotary Club, Sweden, and the hotel Radi un draugi, kitchen equipment was purchased for the orphan care center in Lauderi: EUR 15,000.

2014-2015

• Together with Himmelreich Rotary Club from Münster, District 1870, Germany, handball equipment was donated to six rural schools: EUR 4,500.

Total: USD 452,973.

Projects with Rotary International participation - Matching Grants

1995-1997

• Hagen Rotary Club, District 1900, Germany, equipped a prosthetics workshop at the Vaivari Rehabilitation Centre: USD 50,000.
• Norrköping Rotary Club, District 2410, Sweden, built and equipped new shower rooms at Lielplatone Special Boarding School: USD 6,800.
• Skoyen Rotary Club, District 2310, Norway, purchased equipment for the Strazdumuiža boarding school for blind children in Riga: USD 35,000.

1998-1999

• Oldenzaal Rotary Club, Netherlands, District 1560, placed a new roof on Lielvārde kindergarten: USD 11,250.
• Westerlo Rotary Club, District 1630, Belgium, purchased teaching materials for Pumpurs Primary School in Riga: USD 2,000.
• Finspångs Bergslag Rotary Club, District 2410, Sweden, purchased books for Latvian rural school libraries: USD 495.
• Skoyen Rotary Club, District 2310, Norway, purchased a minibus, kitchen equipment, teaching materials, a copier and teacher training for the Riga boarding school for deaf children: USD 21,000.

2000-2002

• Kongsberg Rotary Club, District 2310, Norway, provided two RTU students with four months of training over three years at Kongsberg Industrial College: USD 5,000.

2003-2004

• Norrköping Rotary Club, District 2410, Sweden, purchased curtains, curtain rods, blinds, chairs, shelves, desk lamps and computers for the Riga children's home Vita: USD 7,025.

2007-2008

• Cambridge Rotary Club, District 1080, Great Britain, together with Carlskog Rotary Club, District 2410, Sweden, equipped a carpentry workshop at Gaujiena Special Boarding School: USD 13,246.

2007-2008

• Himmelreich Rotary Club, Münster, District 1870, with support from the State Probation Service, equipped the rehabilitation camp “Riga Mission” for minors released early from imprisonment: USD 30,000.

2010-2011

• Nykvarn Rotary Club, District 2370, Sweden; Taunton Vale Rotary Club, District 1200, Great Britain; and Redon Rotary Club, District 1650, France, purchased washing machines, a minibus, sports and office equipment and household equipment for Rauda Special Boarding Primary School: USD 22,500.

2015-2017

• Bordesholm Rotary Club, Germany, District 1890, supported the project “Dove of Peace” in Ķekava, providing equipment for leisure activities for young people aged 8 to 16 and teacher training to reduce aggression and teach tolerance toward others: USD 82,000.

Total Matching Grant investment: USD 286,316.

In the first 20 years (1996-2015), the Riga Hansa Rotary Club supported, helped and invested in projects: EUR 158,018.

With the help of Rotarian friends and the international Rotary Foundation, it attracted: USD 739,289.

In the last 10 years (2016-2026), the Riga Hansa Rotary Club supported, helped and invested in projects: EUR 135,420.

With the help of Rotarian friends and the international Rotary Foundation, it attracted: EUR 95,471.

Total over 30 years, 1996-2026: the Riga Hansa Rotary Club supported, helped and invested in projects: EUR 293,440.

With the help of Rotarian friends and the international Rotary Foundation, it attracted: USD 739,289 and EUR 95,481.

Thank you also to all Latvian Rotary clubs from Saldus, Ventspils, Jelgava, Jūrmala, Liepāja and Valka, who invited us to cooperate in various projects.

Our friend clubs

Kongsberg Club - our friends in Norway since 1997

Guntis Bērziņš writes: “Our club's friendship with the Kongsberg Rotary Club in Norway began around 1997, when Kongsberg Rotary Club first visited Riga and came to our club. Since then we have visited Kongsberg four times, where we have always been received very warmly, and the Norwegians in turn have visited us three times in Riga.

Kongsberg Rotary Club has always emphasized practical cooperation with Latvia, marked by four main joint projects. From 1997, involving RHRK, they developed cooperation between Riga Technical University and Buskerud College in Kongsberg with the aim of helping RTU students acquire modern business-management knowledge and practice.”

Caption: 17 May 1998, Norway's national day.

In cooperation with the RTU Student Club, Kongsberg Rotary Club and the Norwegian Embassy, from 2011 to 2017 we provided mentoring consultations to young people who had founded start-ups, advising them both on product development and entrepreneurship.

Captions: Mentoring sessions with RTU start-up students. Visiting Kongsberg in October 2019, at the Historic Aircraft Club. Rotarian J. E. Saugan.

Kongsberg Rotary Club generously supported this program by sending Norwegian mentors to Riga ten times. For several years the Kongsberg Rotary Club gave two Latvian young people each year the opportunity to take part in a mountain hike in Norway. We sincerely thank Kongsberg Rotary Club for its friendship and support for Latvian youth, and especially the main promoter of projects and fellowship, our club's good friend and Paul Harris Fellow Jon Erik Saugan. Friendly meetings continue.

Caption: Visiting the home of Cerību spārni in Sigulda in May 2025.

Münster-Himmelreich Rotary Club in Germany since 2004

Andris Kļaviņš writes: “In 2004, when the good works of the Riga Hansa Rotary Club had evidently reached further afield, several German Rotary clubs expressed interest in building closer cooperation with us, including Münster-Himmelreich Rotary Club. A delegation from the German club, led by that year's president Dr. Christian Fechtrup, visited Riga. As a result, a close friendship and joint participation in charitable activities developed between the Riga Hansa and Münster-Himmelreich clubs.”

Captions: 2004, MHRK President Christian Fechtrup. In 2023, the most active maintainers of the friendship from the Münster club - Christian Fechtrup and Matthias Lueckertz. RHRK member Inta Sikora presents an RHRK group photo at a friendly meeting with RHRK member Andris Kļaviņš in Münster to Wolfgang Hoelker.

Münster-Himmelreich Rotary Club has supported many projects of our club. The project implemented in 2005-2007 to help young people released from prison return to society was created through cooperation between our two clubs and the public organization Riga City Mission, with support from a District 2140 Rotary Matching Grant.

In 2015 Münster-Himmelreich Rotary Club supported the Riga Hansa Rotary Club project to deliver mini-handball sets to several Latvian rural schools. It was implemented at the initiative of the Latvian Handball Federation. The Riga Hansa Rotary Club has also extended a friendly hand to its German partners: in 2014, when the city of Münster was hit by severe floods, our club donated to Münster-Himmelreich Rotary Club for flood relief.

The Münster Rotarians valued the results and sustainability of this project so highly that they agreed to participate in the next Global Grant project, “Cerību spārni - support for the development of new workshops for people with disabilities in Sigulda,” and donated EUR 10,000.

In Riga on 17 May 2023, we celebrated our club's 27th anniversary together and congratulated four of our members on receiving Paul Harris Fellow awards. Here past district governor Jānis Andersons presents the award to Margarita Platace. When visiting Līgatne and Sigulda together, we naturally also stopped at the Cerību spārni project home.

In 2025 it was our turn to travel to Münster. We experienced wonderful days among friends: walking through the city, travelling to Vischering Castle and visiting the Museum of Modern Art. Surrounded by a moat, Vischering Castle is located in North Rhine-Westphalia and acquired its present appearance in the sixteenth century, when the castle also served for defense. Among the many castles of the Münsterland region, it is one of the oldest and best preserved. Impressive.

Caption: RHRK members together with Rotarians of the Himmelreich Rotary Club. Rotary truly is one large family.

Alanya Rotary Club in Turkey since 2019

In March 2019 Alanya Rotary Club joined our circle of friends, and the friendship began with an invitation from Turkish Rotarians to visit the beautiful city of Alanya on the Mediterranean coast. Alanya Rotary Club was founded in 1989 and has 35 members in 2026: seven women and 28 men. The club is registered under number D2430, a district with 101 clubs in total. Since 2018 the club has continued the tradition that 100 percent of its members are Paul Harris Fellows. Since 6 September 2024 the club has also been part of the RAGFP Peace Builder Club. Alanya Rotary Club is one of the most active clubs in its district. Since 2018 it has implemented Global Grant projects almost every year.

During the visit we learned much about the Rotary movement in Turkey, and Alanya Rotary Club charmed us with southern generosity, temperament and hospitality. We became acquainted with many historical places and the colorful mountain landscape.

At a video conference on 14 April 2020 we learned that Turkish Rotarians had created the largest Global Grant project in Turkish Rotary history, uniting many Turkish Rotary clubs to deliver face masks for protection against COVID. Many activities take place every year. Alanya Rotary Club has a saying: “Rotary connects the world.” And yes, that is truly so.

Already in September 2019 the Turkish Rotarians came to Riga for the first return visit.

Captions: The city of Alanya, where we visited the Alanya Rotary Club. We travel by jeep into the mountains to experience the rhythm of life in a typical Turkish village and enjoy the rugged mountain nature. A symbolic Rotarian cake in international style - Turkey and Latvia.

Captions: With Turkish Rotarians at the Saeima building in Riga. Together with Rotarians of the Alanya club in Riga in 2019. RHRK President Lauris Rasa and Alanya Rotary Club President Ayan Gedikoglu sign the friendship agreement, and our club president introduces RHRK activities.

We began the Alanya club's visit with a visit to the Saeima. The guests were shown a certain honor at the Saeima: they were admitted through the main doors of the building, while the Latvian hosts had to use the ordinary doors at the end of the building. The guests were also shown the Red Hall, where an interesting fact was mentioned: on the impressive decorative candleholder, with one candle for each former Latvian district, the coat of arms attached to one candle is half-covered in black. It commemorates the Abrene district, which was given to Russia.

We showed our friends Rundāle Palace and visited the studio of our club member, artist Juris Jurjāns. The guests also liked the romantic little balcony of Juris' studio, with a view over the roofs of Old Riga. The Riga Motor Museum pleased them very much as well. But most important were the warm conversations, exchange of ideas and enthusiasm to continue friendship and cooperation in new projects.

Together with Alanya Rotary Club we took part in organizing aid for residents of the city of Izmir after the devastating earthquake there on 30 October 2000, contributing EUR 1,000 to the disaster fund. Turkish Rotarians then organized and financed, every other month, a tent and three medical workers for blood donation. Communication between the clubs also takes place in modern forms in the virtual world. A video meeting took place on 14 April 2020, and there was another pleasant video meeting on 4 February 2025.

Thanks to a Global Grant Foundation project led by Alanya Rotary Club and Lake Oswego Rotary Club, in cooperation with the Rotary Foundation and its branches in Turkey, America and Australia, we have provided three newborn ventilators to Alanya State Hospital. We hope these devices will improve the health of many babies. Many thanks to everyone involved.

Caption: Rotarians with three newborn ventilators at the hospital.

Aalborg City Rotary Club in Denmark since 2025

From 24 to 27 April 2025, Rotarians from Aalborg City Rotary Club visited us in Riga. As we later learned, the Baltic states are not unfamiliar to them, because they have been friends with Lithuanian clubs for many years and are active in the ICC, the Inter-Country Committee.

“Denmark and Lithuania have for ten years been the framework for the 58 scholarships our club has maintained for young students in Lithuania and for 32 projects. In 2015 ICC Denmark-Lithuania was founded to maintain the good relations that had developed when Rotary in Lithuania was part of Denmark's District 1460 until 2014 and later as an independent district. There are more than 750 ICCs in the world, and it is a wonderful opportunity to learn about other nations' cultures, gain new friends and help one another,” says club president Kim Thrysø.

Captions: RHRK secretary Ieva Zauberga tells the guests about the meaning of the Freedom Monument for Latvians. In the evening the guests enjoy Carmen at our beautiful Opera House. Cerību spārni resonated with our new Danish friends, who donated EUR 2,000 for the association's development. Kim Thrysø, ACRK president, and RHRK President Jevgeņijs Belezjaks exchange club pennants.

Aalborg City Rotary Club is our new friend - today we can say this with confidence. It was a very pleasant and exciting meeting, because we saw them in person for the first time. Five cheerful couples arrived - five Rotarians came with their partners - and they were interested in everything: Riga itself, our club, art, music, history and the feelings of Riga residents in the complex political situation of the present.

Guided by architect Jānis Dripe, we walked through the National Library, visited our Opera House and watched Carmen. Under the care of Vineta Kaulača, we explored the exhibition of the Latvian National Museum of Art. We spent a day in Līgatne and Sigulda and also looked into the everyday life of Cerību spārni.

Together we also walked through Old Riga and spent a wonderful introductory evening listening to one another's stories and future plans. Next year we are kindly invited to visit Aalborg City Rotary Club, and we certainly will.

Captions: Beer in Latvia is quite good too. At the New Castle of Sigulda.

We ourselves together

Riga Hansa Rotary Club activities over 30 years - together in celebrations and on trips

Caption: All of us together test the strength of the bridge in Līgatne Nature Park, whose environmental design was created by Riga Hansa Rotary Club member and architect Ināra Kārkliņa. The bridge holds very well - and so does RHRK.

“I knew that homestead, līgo, līgo, where Jānis' children were awaited: līgo! That homestead was decorated, līgo, līgo, with green oak branches. Līgo!”

For nearly ten years RHRK Rotarians celebrated Midsummer Day at Guntis and Vija Belēvičs' Vecvārnas. It was an unforgettable time when folk traditions intertwined with Rotarian togetherness, human warmth, the magic of Midsummer night, scents from the lake, flowers from nearby fields, pitchers of beer from real Latvian breweries and dancing around large bonfires. And when maestro Imants Kokars, one of Latvia's most outstanding conductors and an RHRK member, set the correct pitch for the songs, the Midsummer nights became unforgettable moments in the history of the Riga Hansa Rotary Club.

An auction was part of the Riga Hansa Rotary Club's New Year celebration tradition. It is a very lively and profitable event, led energetically year after year by Guntis Belēvičs, Andris Kļaviņš, Juris Jākobsons and others. During the New Year festivities, auctions have succeeded in raising several thousand euros. The funds collected are invested in Rotary projects. Club members come to the celebration with items intended for auction, competing to bring the most interesting ones. Once, for example, a “ticket” was offered for a flight in Jānis Andersons' airplane, with Jānis himself in the pilot's seat.

RHRK weekly lunches and events include invited speakers: notable personalities in Latvia, leading specialists in various fields and representatives of government. Latvian President Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga (1999-2007) is a supporter of our club, and her husband Imants Freibergs was an active RHRK member (1934-2026).

Captions: The Midsummer bonfire at the Belēvičs' Vecvārnas was a symbol of mysticism, beauty, cosmic mystery and Rotarian fellowship. Juris Jākobsons and Andris Kļaviņš try to auction a food basket.

Captions: RHRK members with their spouses and Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga at the center. RHRK members with Valdis Dombrovskis, Prime Minister of Latvia from 2011 to 2014 and now Executive Vice-President of the European Commission. Rotary projects are also projects of national significance and of promoting a prosperous society, supporting European values.

On 3 February 2020, Latvian President Egils Levits visited us, and representatives from many Latvian Rotary clubs came to the meeting. Around 60 people took part in the lunch meeting.

Captions: Tree planting at Likteņdārzs in 2016. Clean-up work in 2020.

Members of the Riga Hansa Rotary Club took part in a Rotary clean-up day at Likteņdārzs in Lielvārde on 8 August 2020. It was an unforgettable and lovely day. We planted a tree for the club's founder Viktors Kulbergs (1948-2013). In 2016 RHRK established the Viktors Kulbergs Rotary Scholarship.

At Riga Hansa Rotary Club meetings every Tuesday at 12:00, lectures, discussions and sharing of professional experience take place. Many well-known public figures have visited the club, including diplomat Andrejs Pildegovičs, Commander of the National Armed Forces Raimonds Graube, NAF Major Jānis Slaidiņš and Foreign Minister Baiba Braže, to name only a few. Club member Jānis Andersons called the meetings “our small university.” As keepsakes, guests receive RHRK mugs designed by club member and artist Juris Jurjāns, or Prof. Maija Kūle's monograph Euro-life: Forms, Principles, Feelings, or Viktors Kulbergs' book Mission Impossible.

Our own members also often speak; for example, University of Latvia professor Andris Ambainis explains the possibilities, threats and advantages of artificial intelligence. Club meetings take place not only at the usual meeting place in Hotel Monika but also at off-site meetings.

Caption: We visited the Rocket Bean coffee roastery, took part in a coffee tasting, tested the abilities of our noses and learned how to brew coffee correctly.

Caption: RHRK meeting at Hanzas Perons in Riga on 11 February 2020. Architect Reinis Liepiņš, an award-winning architect of the year, introduced us to his project and revealed the difficulties that had to be overcome to build such an unusual building.

Caption: On 23 September 2025 at the Botanical Garden in Riga. We returned with the idea of a rhododendron named after RHRK. A beautiful gift.

Visiting the “strong men” of the Liepāja Rotary Club - the club has many new members, active and enthusiastic patriots of Liepāja.

Liepāja celebrates its 400th anniversary. The music heard at the Great Amber concert hall was outstanding, and our friends had prepared an interesting program.

The park pavilion at M. Valtera Street 3 in Liepāja was rebuilt from old photographs by Liepāja Rotary Club member Zigurds Kirhners. A restaurant now operates there.

Caption: Liepāja Rotary Club member Valdis Skujiņš introduces guests to the vinyl-record exhibition arranged in Raitis Pavlovičs' music space Vinilkoks, whose collection includes 333 records with songs by Raimonds Pauls.

We celebrate Christmas together by listening to beautiful music. It has already become a tradition.

Caption: The ceremony of passing the district governor's chain on 1 July 2025. Photo: a group of Rotarians in the University of Latvia Botanical Garden. The new governor is Jānis Teteris, already the fourth RHRK member to take on these duties.

In 2025 a Latvian National Symphony Orchestra concert took place at the Congress House, attended by Rotarians.

RHRK members

May 2016.

The club also included Guntis Belēvičs, Ingars Eriņš, Imants Freibergs, Ēvalds Ikaunieks, Juris Jurjāns, Aivars Kalniņš, Tīna Kukka, Tālis Millers, Dace Penke, Toms Siliņš and Edgars Šīns.

Caption: First row from the left: Ilze Neparte-Saleniece, Signe Bāliņa, Margarita Platace, Elena Kulberga, Jānis Teteris in the center, Gundega Zeltiņa, Inta Sikora, Ināra Kārkliņa, Maija Kūle. Second row from the left: Juris Apsītis, Andris Ambainis, Viktors Puriņš, Andris Kļaviņš, Lauris Rasa, Māris Slokenbergs, Gundars Strautmanis, Guntis Bērziņš, Juris Jākobsons, Aivars Kalniņš, Ivars Knēts and Jānis Andersons.

April 2026.

In 2026 the club also included Andris Ambainis, Aigars Milts, Aivars Kalniņš, Edijs Tanons, Ēvalds Ikaunieks, Ilze Neparte-Saleniece, Ingars Eriņš, Jānis Andersons, Juris Apsītis, Krišjānis Krūmiņš, Margarita Platace, Māris Slokenbergs, Signe Bāliņa, Toms Siliņš and Vineta Kaulača.

Caption: First row from the left: Gundega Zeltiņa, Argita Daudze, Maija Kūle, Elena Kulberga, Jānis Teteris, Inta Sikora, Sigma Ankrava, Jevgeņijs Belezjaks and Dace Penke. Second row: Juris Jākobsons, Gundars Strautmanis, Andris Kļaviņš, Ieva Zauberga, Guntis Bērziņš, Mikus Lācis, Lauris Rasa and Juris Ozoliņš.

RHRK has 21 Rotarians who are Paul Harris Fellow members

RHRK growth

Over the last ten years, 11 new members have joined the club.

Caption: On 30 June 2020, Inta Sikora, Juris Apsītis and Dace Penke receive the Paul Harris Fellow honorary pin and award of Rotary's founder.

New members listed in the booklet:

• Edijs Tanons - 12/7/2017
• Mikus Lācis - 10/8/2019
• Aigars Milts - 10/8/2019
• Jevgeņijs Belezjaks - 8/30/2021
• Sigma Ankrava - 1/1/2022
• Krišjānis Krūmiņš - 3/21/2023
• Ieva Zauberga - 10/17/2023
• Vineta Kaulača - 1/9/2024
• Argita Daudze - 1/7/2025
• Juris Ozoliņš - 1/19/2026
• Māris Zutis - 1/27/2026

Nine members have been active in the club since its founding: Guntis Bērziņš, Ēvalds Ikaunieks, Aivars Kalniņš, Elena Kulberga, Maija Kūle, Inta Sikora, Māris Slokenbergs, Gundars Strautmanis and Gundega Zeltiņa.

RHRK members who have passed away since the club's founding, whose participation in the club lasted until the end of their lives, are held in loving memory:

• Viktors Kulbergs, 1948-2013
• Ivars Vīgners, 1940-2007
• Valdis Jākobsons, 1938-2021
• Tālis Millers, 1929-2022
• Juris Jurjāns, 1944-2023
• Imants Kokars, 1921-2011
• Ivars Knēts, 1938-2019
• Imants Freibergs, 1934-2026

Presidents of the Riga Hansa Rotary Club

• Viktors Kulbergs - 1996-2026, charter president
• Aivars Kalniņš - 1997-1998
• Aris Lācis - 1998-1999
• Dzintars Pommers - 1999-2000
• Elena Kulberga - 2000-2001
• Guntis Bērziņš - 2001-2002
• Gundega Zeltiņa - 2002-2003
• Māris Slokenbergs - 2003-2004
• Andris Kļaviņš - 2004-2005
• Tālis Millers - 2005-2006
• Guntis Belēvičs - 2006-2007
• Inta Sikora - 2007-2008
• Margarita Platace - 2008-2009
• Normunds Breidaks - 2009-2010
• Valdis Jākobsons - 2010-2011
• Juris Jākobsons - 2011-2012
• Jānis Andersons - 2012-2013
• Gundars Strautmanis - 2013-2014
• Ivars Knēts - 2014-2015
• Jānis Teteris - 2015-2016
• Signe Bāliņa - 2016-2017
• Ingars Eriņš - 2017-2018
• Lauris Rasa - 2018-2019
• Dace Penke - 2019-2020
• Edijs Tanons - 2020-2021
• Andris Ambainis - 2021-2022
• Mikus Lācis - 2022-2023
• Toms Siliņš - 2023-2024
• Jevgeņijs Belezjaks - 2024-2025
• Sigma Ankrava - 2025-2026

RHRK 30th anniversary project: Cerību spārni for the future

A new project is taking shape in 2026

Cooperation with foreign Rotary clubs continues after the completion of earlier projects, expanding support for new initiatives. At Spāre Manor, what is now becoming the largest Cerību spārni site is taking shape. There is already a day center, a group home, and there will be a senior residence - a huge complex with many buildings, a park and the manor itself. Various master classes for local residents already take place there: painting, making useful objects, concerts, and a cafe operates. The chef at the cafe is Māris, whom we congratulated when he won an international chefs' competition. There are rooms dedicated to the memory of poet Aleksandrs Čaks, a history hall and rooms to stay in. There is much already, and much more to come. It is an active community: they have made cosmetic repairs with their own strength. Of course, it is far from ideal, but everything moves forward step by step.

“Spāre Manor - the RHRK 30th anniversary project.”

We have decided to continue cooperating with the association Cerību spārni, whose work is strongly oriented toward sustainability. Branches operate in Mālpils, Bauska, Iecava and Smiltene. Together with the chair of the association we are beginning to plan which of the current needs we can help solve. We already have a EUR 2,000 donation from our Danish friend club. But there are many needs. Several historically valuable houses belong to the manor. At present the most urgent need is to purchase equipment for the Spāre Manor cafe so that it can begin operating and generate income. The workshops and the Čaks room also need appropriate equipment.

We invite our Rotarian friends to take part in the project and hope to create a new Global Grant project in the next Rotary year.

Captions: Cafe. Painting studio. Leather-processing workshop. Čaks room.

RHRK beauty

A rhododendron variety dedicated to us has been named after the RHRK club.

Caption: The rhododendron named after Riga Hansa Rotary. Its author is Gunita Riekstiņa, breeder at the University of Latvia.

Credits

The booklet Riga Hansa Rotary Club - 30 was compiled by Maija Kūle and Gundega Zeltiņa.

Photographs are from personal archives and LETA.