Episode 160: The Latvian Department in DGT: how it all started in 2004

DGT Radio — Radio Lingvistika

Three ‘big-bangers’ – Ivars Apinis, Valda Liepina and Liena Muskare – share their memories of the beginnings of the Latvian language department, 20 years ago. With some sound from Latvia (a waltz, a metal band and a famous poem), they recall their adventures, their excitement, their hopes, and also the many challenges they faced, with huge piles of documents to handle and numerous terminology gaps to fill in while slowly recruiting new colleagues. They also recall how the Latvian community grew and throve in those years, like one big expat family.
Poem: Baiga Vasara by Edvarts Virza, read by Inese Ruse
Music: Melanholiskais valsis by Emīls Dārziņš, performed by Elise Artoisenet; Paliekas by Catalepsia; Days Past by In Closing