The Latvian Canadian Cultural Centre is open for meetings and events.
The Letts Shop is open:
Monday to Friday 8:00am-3:00pm
Saturdays 9:00am-1:00pm
The Northern Birch Credit Union is open 10:00am-3:00pm, Tuesday to Friday.
We are closely following the COVID- 19, City of Toronto restrictions of physical distancing and gathering limits as well as guidelines provided by the Government of Ontario to ensure appropriate health and safety measures are met, as part of our continued commitment to the safety of our guests and employees. Please see Public Health Measures link for more information.
KANĀDAS LATVIEŠU CENTRA TORONTO YOUTUBE KANĀLS
Centra jaunajā “Youtube” kanālā “Latvians in Canada / Latvieši Kanādā” turpmāk varēs noskatīties jebkurā laikā pasākumus, kas ir notikuši Latviešu Centrā.
18. Novembra svinības “Diena Latvijai” jau ir pieejams visiem interesentiem. Klikšķiniet uz “Youtube” attēla zemāk.
OUR LATVIAN RECIPE BASKET
THE LATVIAN CENTRE IN A POST-PANDEMIC FUTURE
The Latvian Canadian Cultural Centre,(LCCC) Toronto, eagerly awaits the return of members and guests. Hopefully by Fall, the Centre will again be the focal point where people gather to experience all things Latvian. With your support, the Centre is preparing for the future. A heartfelt thank you to those whom donated this past year and a half.
In 2020-21, the Latvian Centre dealt with floods in the basement and constraints created by pandemic financial losses. COVID-19 emergency measures led to the difficult closure of the Birches Catering. But we did not give in or give up.
Much was accomplished during the eerily quiet time. Flooding damage was repaired. The kitchen was refurbished and repainted. Wooden counters were replaced by gleaming stainless steel tables. Thanks to several generous donors, the walls and ceiling of the entire ground floor have been painted and carpeting, replaced. Latvia’s honorary consul in Ontario, Kārlis Vasarājs approached the Centre with a donation and an idea to distribute surplus food items from the kitchen and Letts Shop to local community members whose mobility was restricted. This initiative expanded with support from other organizations and individuals. Centre staff prepared care packages, and, thanks to volunteer drivers, distributed them throughout the GTA and Hamilton six times reaching several hundred Latvian seniors including Kristus Dārzs residents.
With community support, the Centre has successfully hosted countless events and activities for 42 years. Yearly, the Centre lends event rooms free of charge 300 times, including to the Latvian School. The Centre’s library, the largest outside Latvia, celebrates its 40th anniversary in November. From Jāņi to November 18th, the Martins market, the Christmas Advent Brunch, and other key functions, our community activities must restart!
Through the darkest days of the Latvian Centre, in 20-21, we have been so grateful that the local community rallied. A record number of new members recently joined.
However, much work remains to be done. We need your help to keep the Latvian Centre going. Together, we can prevail.
If you are not yet a member, consider becoming one. The $1,000 tax-deductible donation will support generations to come. We cannot wait to welcome you back to a special re-opening event! (Stay tuned.)
Latvian Canadian Cultural Centre Board of Directors
EVENTS AT THE LCCC
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:
Eatsmart Caters, catering for all events
647-287-1974
Arnis Markitants
Pīrāgi, potato salad, rasols, fish in tomato sauce (Skumbria), European “kotlete”, sauerkraut
arnism@sympatico.ca
416-822-1283
Ranjith Jayawardana
Piragi, cheesecake, applebread, apple / cranberry crumble (drumstalmaize), cakes
asokackk@gmail.com
416-568-3160
The Latvian Canadian Cultural Centre is the heart of Latvian life in Toronto and Canada
Its mandate is to foster and sustain Latvian heritage and cultural traditions and to provide a venue for social and cultural exchange with other cultural communities in Canada. The non-profit Centre provides facilities for cultural, social, business and recreational activities for the general public and its members.
Helping each other through the pandemic!
The Latvian Canadian Cultural Centre and the Honorary Consul of Latvia in Southern Ontario, Karlis Vasarajs, have started an initiative to help our Latvian community during this pandemic. We are making care packages with food items to deliver to those in need. If you know of anyone who is in need please contact us with their name, address and telephone number.
Past, Present and Future
The Latvian Canadian Cultural Centre
Past, Present, and Future
It was difficult to accept the decision to leave our College Street home for our current location of 4 Credit Union Drive. It almost split the Latvian community in disagreement. But the decision was made, and the Latvian centre was purchased in 1979. Our community came together in support, and our volunteer community was strong in accommodating the change.
In a 1984 Multicultural History Society of Ontario article, written by Valdis Liepins, he writes, ”Catering (at the Latvian centre) is directed by the catering manager, aided by a very active and gourmet minded women’s committee, which has established an enviable reputation for high-class, yet affordable, catering. Being a charity, the centre is run by a board of directors who receive no remuneration. In addition to the women’s committee, there are three special function committees-an arts committee, a library committee and a building committee. As a result of their energies the centre functions smoothly and efficiently and is entirely self-supporting.”
LCCC Scholarship Fund
The Latvian Canadian Cultural Centre’s Scholarship Fund was established in 1986, to further student’s Latvian Studies. Since that time, $160,000 has been awarded in scholarships.
The 2021 Scholarship application is attached. Fully completed applications must be submitted to the Latvian Centre office by May 1, 2021.
Hall rental
Looking for a venue to host your next meeting, seminar, or training session, a wedding, anniversary, birthday or social gathering?
Please contact the office:
4 Credit Union Dr, Toronto, ON M4A 2N8
Tālrunis (416) 759-4900 | E-pasts: office@latviancentre.org
416-759-4900
office@latviancentre.org
Kanādas Latviešu Centrs Toronto
4 Credit Union Drive
Toronto, ON M4A 2N8
Canada
