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Thursday program

10:00 Games and activities; choir rehearsal with Irisa
11:30 Exercise and health with Peter; Zoom open
12:00 Chef’s signature soup (11:50 Chef Ingo’s lunch)
12:30 Group song, Ivars’ report, surprises
1:00    Program highlight (guest speakers, concerts, films)

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January 22

From DP camps to a new land: Nova Scotia’s Latvian stories – Viesturš Zariņš & Latvia’s Honorary Consul for Nova Scotia Ingrīda Šķetris

Halifax’s Pier 21 was the gateway for thousands of Latvians fleeing Europe during the Second World War. Viesturs Zariņš uncovers the stories of those who came and those who stayed in Nova Scotia in his latest book Nova Scotia Latvian Connections. Latvia’s Honorary Consul in Nova Scotia, Ingrīda Šķetris, joins via Zoom, with Q&A to follow.

12:00 Chef’s signature soup. 1:00 Special program in ENGLISH
TLPA members: $0 | Guests: $5

January 29

Saturday School: 75 years together – Ilze Maksiņa

School principal Ilze Maksiņa will share a personal story of the TLB Saturday School’s journey from 1951 to today. Photographs and video will illustrate how the school has grown, evolved and brought generations together. Ilze will also touch on the Draudzīgais aicinājums tradition and the annual theatre production. The school’s 75th anniversary celebrations culminate on May 30.

12:00 Chef’s signature soup. 1:00 Special program in LATVIAN
TLPA members: $0 | Guests: $5

February 5

Wine tasting – Zinta Steprāns

Following lunch, sommelier Zinta Steprāns will lead an elegant and accessible wine tasting that sharpens how you sip, smell and select wine.

Recognized by Toronto Life as one of the city’s top young sommeliers, Zinta will explore organic, natural and non-alcoholic wines, with a bonus look toward the Baltics. Come curious; leave with newfound expertise!

First Thursday: 11:50 Chef Ingo’s lunch. 1:00 Special program in ENGLISH
TLPA members: $25 | Guests: $30. Register for lunch by February 3 with Maruta Freimuta: 416-233-9552, mfreimuts@gmail.com

If you would like to host an event at the LCCC, we will provide:

  • Hall set up and take down.
  • Help you arrange services and suppliers.
  • List of people who can be called, for bar tending and as wait staff.

Catering contacts:

Zupa Zupa Catering
Soups, Baltic cold table, appetizers, etc
www.zupazupa.ca
Tel 289-442-7799

Eatsmart Caters
Catering for all events
eatsmart.caters@gmail.com
647-287-1974

Ranjith Jayawardana
Piragi, cheesecake, applebread, apple / cranberry crumble (drumstalmaize), cakes
asokackk@gmail.com
416-568-3160

Christmas Brunch Menu

Slow-Roasted Beef Brisket
topped with rich pan sauce and zesty horseradish

Skābi Kāposti (Braised Sauerkraut)

Salmon Fillets
served with shrimp–dill cream sauce

Brussels Sprouts
with maple-glazed sweet potatoes and pecans

Herb-Roasted Potatoes and Leeks

Tri-Colour Rice
with black beans, mushrooms and asparagus

Cold Salad Table
featuring a selection of Baltic specialities

By Mara Gulens / TLPA

Last May, 10 Canadian choral composers and conductors spent 10 days immersing themselves in the choir cultures of Estonia and Latvia.

“My time in the Baltics completely changed my beliefs on what choral music can be and what it’s purpose is in our lives,” says Thomas Burton, conductor of the Orpheus Choir of Toronto, who kicked off his first day in Riga with a run through the Old Town.

[For more on Berton’s experience, read My journey into Baltic choral music.]

The Baltic Choral Tour 2025 was a cultural exchange where Canadian musicians learned about Latvian choral culture, “but where we also brought Canadian choral culture to Latvia,” explains tour producer, Laura Adlers.

Aira Birziņš, principal conductor of the Jazeps Vitols Latvian Music Academy, organized things on the Latvia side. Tour participants lectured on Canadian choral music, led workshops, met with Latvian composers, conductors and school directors and observed many choral rehearsals.

“It took less than a day to see that my colleagues had fallen for Latvia,” said Adlers at TLPA’s (Toronto Latvian Pensioners’ Association) October 2 event.

In Estonia, the group attended regional rehearsals for the upcoming Estonian Song and Dance Celebration, visited the Arvo Pärt Centre, and had a chance to observe and meet with Tallinn’s best Estonian choirs.

The tour’s goal to foster cross-cultural collaboration is already taking shape. On October 25, the Orpheus Choir of Toronto will perform works by Latvian composer Laura Jēkabsone and Estonian composer Veljo Tormis.

Watch it all here

Baltic choral tour – Nations that sing presentation:bit.ly/TLPAvideo

The Singing Nations Tour 2025 film: bit.ly/SingingNationsTour2025

Mara Gulens is TLPA’s Content and Communications Lead

Thomas Burton is the conductor of the Orpheus Choir of Toronto and was a member of the Baltic Choral Tour 2025. Burton’s October 2 TLPA (Toronto Latvian Pensioner Association) talk has been shortened and edited.

On the first morning in Riga, I set out to explore the neighbourhood around our hotel through the lens of a brisk jog. I ran along the river, past the Opera House and into the winding maze of cobblestone streets.

One short morning into our trip and I was already falling in love with my Baltic surroundings.

The rest of the journey felt like a marathon of its own – in the best way. We observed countless rehearsals, met remarkable conductors and composers, and moved constantly from one transformative choral experience to the next.

Why these nations sing

A few days into our trip, I began to wonder why these countries – each not much larger than my home province of Nova Scotia – produce some of the world’s finest music and art?

What drives these people to create so naturally and collaboratively? What draws them to the unifying act of song?

It was our last morning in Riga. I was finishing my final run when I came upon a large, black, square building.

In North America, we’re often taught that the years following the Second World War were marked by rebuilding and celebration. But as I walked through the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, I quickly realized that my historical knowledge had some very serious gaps.

I knew next to nothing of the over 50 years of Soviet occupation imposed on the Baltic countries. I hadn’t grasped the brutality of conflict between the Nazis and Soviets – a conflict that forced Latvians to fight brother against brother.

I thought about how recently these countries had regained their independence and how many of the musicians and new friends I had met on the trip had spent much of their lives under this occupation. I thought about the beautiful music and art I had witnessed. Gradually, the answers began to crystallize.

Song and dance are among the most powerful tools for human connection. They forge identity and preserve language and culture in the face of oppression.

In the Baltics, singing isn’t just a pastime. It’s a vital and integral way for people to tell their story and be who they’re meant to be.

My time in the Baltics completely changed my beliefs on what choral music can be and what its purpose is in our lives.

Watch it all here

Baltic choral tour – Nations that sing presentation:bit.ly/TLPAvideo

The Singing Nations Tour 2025 film: bit.ly/SingingNationsTour2025

Join us for TLPA First Thursdays

TLPA meet-ups take place every Thursday from 12:00-2:00 at the Latvian Canadian Cultural Centre. On the first Thursday of each month, programming is in English and Chef Ingo serves a hot lunch. More info: Latvianseniors.org

November 6: Ambassador of Latvia to Canada Kaspars Ozoliņš – Riga’s Art Nouveau architecture
Riga boasts the world’s largest concentration of Art Nouveau buildings, their expressive façades drawing photographers from around the globe. Latvia’s Ambassador to Canada, Kaspars Ozoliņš, will offer a closer look at this distinctive architectural style that makes Rīga so special.
In English. Chef Ingo’s lunch. TLPA members: $25 | Guests: $30. Register for lunch by November 2 with Maruta Freimuta: 416-233-9552, mfreimuts@gmail.com

December 4: Navigating the Baltics’ unwritten future
As Chair of Estonian Studies at the University of Toronto and author of the award-winning A History of the Baltic States, Prof. Andres Kasekamp brings deep expertise in Baltic history, politics and culture. His timely talk will reflect the rapidly changing world around us.
In English. Chef Ingo’s lunch. TLPA members: $25 | Guests: $30. Register for lunch by November 30 with Maruta Freimuta: 416-233-9552, mfreimuts@gmail.com

Join from anywhere in the world

Mara Gulens is TLPA’s Content and Communications Lead

Embark on a vibrant journey through cinematic stories and powerful reflections at the annual European Union Film Festival in Toronto taking place in person from November 13th to 27th at the Alliance Française de Toronto (24 Spadina Rd) and available online from December 1st to 15th. The line-up features 27 films from 27 EU countries, including special presentations, and live guests Q&A. 
This year, we are thrilled to co-present the Latvia film, MARIA’S SILENCE by director Dāvis Sīmanis Jr. on November 18th at 8:30pm. The story of an artist avoiding a confrontation with power and the artistic and personal consequences of this choice.
As always, admission to the festival is FREE but it is also possible to reserve seats in advance to avoid the line-up at: https://euffto.com/. See you at the movies! #EUFF2025

Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1125541709

Synopsis: Dāvis Sīmanis Jr. offers a powerful historical drama shot in luminous black and white. The film is based on the true story of Marija Leiko, a famous actor who becomes both a witness to and victim of Stalin’s brutal regime. In 1937, the former silent film star travels to Russia after learning of the birth of her granddaughter. Discovering tragic circumstances upon her arrival, she is persuaded by KGB agents to stay, abandoning her film career to join the Latvian State Theatre in Moscow. Increasingly aware that she is being manipulated by the government during its ruthless purges of political enemies, she must choose between family and career, and between her artistic ideals and the policies of Stalinism.

Ainars Mielavs ir latviešu dziedātājs, dziesmu rakstnieks un gleznotājs no Rīgas. Uzstājies ar grupām JAUNS MĒNESS, MIELAVS UN PĀRCĒLĀJI un arī kā solo mākslinieks. Svētku koncertā skanēs Ainara Mielava standarti – populārākās dziesmas no visiem radošajiem periodiem – “Piekūns skrien debesīs”, “Kad mēness jūrā krīt”, “Ai, jel manu vieglu prātu”, “Tu saviļņoji mani”, kā kopā ar Imantu Kalniņu radītie skaņdarbi un latviešu tradicionālās dziesmas.

Dziedātājs uzstāsies kopā ar pianistu – virtuozu Rūdolfu Macatu.

Pirms un pēc koncerta būs iespējams iegādāties dziedātāja grāmatu “Kad mēness jūrā krīt” un skaņuplates.