There is a Latvian school in Stockholm every Saturday, which is attended by families from the surrounding area for whom it is important that their children do not lose touch with Latvia.
As the school emphasizes, it is important not only to learn and maintain Latvian language skills, but also to build friendships that create a natural desire for children to speak Latvian.
The Stockholm Latvian School is one of the oldest and largest Latvian diaspora schools. It was founded in 1945, when war refugees from Latvia arrived in Sweden. Currently, the school has about 100 children every Saturday, from very young children, one year old, to fifteen year olds.
“You don’t come here to learn maths or physical education. You learn the language, you learn about Latvia, you learn who we are – we as adults already know what is self-evident to us, but the children who were born here don’t know anything about it,” said Agnese Blaubārde, the head of the Stockholm Latvian School.
Many of these children were born in Sweden, and their daily lives often take place in multiple languages.
“I’ve been coming to a Latvian school since I was three years old. I’m 11 now, soon to be 12. So about eight years. I like it here, I have friends here and I can learn about Latvia. I love Latvia very much,” said student Sofija.
Another pupil, Teodors, was born in Sweden and has been attending Latvian school on Saturdays since he was a child – his earliest childhood memories are also associated with it. He is currently in eighth grade and sees his future in Latvia.
“I really like Latvia, Latvia is the best there is. All my friends know that I am from Latvia, because I am very happy about it and I am proud,” said Teodors.
Teacher Lilita Zaļkalns was born in Australia, raised in America, and has lived in Sweden for almost fifty years. She previously taught Latvian in California, at the Oakland Latvian School. Lilita’s children once attended the school, and now her two grandchildren also study in her class.
“We are the third generation at the Stockholm Latvian School. I don’t believe that the most important thing is knowledge as such, but rather togetherness, friendship and maybe interest,” said Zaļkalns.
The choice to go to school is often not always an easy one. “Unfortunately, it’s usually in tears that you go to Latvian school. This happens on Saturday mornings when there are sports classes. You have to choose,” the teacher pointed out.
At the end of the eighth grade, students receive a Namejs ring – a symbol of belonging to Latvia.
“Our main task, no matter how much we want to write beautifully and recite poems and learn, is to maintain friendships,” Blaubārde emphasized.
Latvia is not just a place on the map for them – it is the language, friends and Saturday school in Stockholm. And, perhaps, it is here that a connection with Latvia is formed that will remain with them throughout their lives.
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