Opening event of the IDIL (2022–2032) in Latvia

On March 19th the opening event of the IDIL (2022–2032) in Latvia will take place in the Livonian National House in Irē (Mazirbe). Symbolically the opening event will combine one of the most unique Livonian traditions – bird awakening – and initiatives of establishing Livonian language and culture in the digital environment.

Livonians are indigenous people in Latvia and Livonian is one of the most endangered languages in the world. This makes The Decade and its planned activities important in Latvia in order to ensure survival and continuation of Livonian.

The opening of the Decade has been aligned with the bird awakening, which is one of the most unique Livonian traditions. Livonians believe, that the migrating birds do not depart in the autumn, but rather sleep within the depths of the sea, rivers and lakes or along the shoreline and that they need to be awakened in spring. Bird awakening signifies the beginning of the year for Livonians and this time the ritual will also mark the opening of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages.

Bird awakening will take place on the beach of Irē at 11:00, it will include the ritual, Livonian greetings, decorating a spruce and songs. At 13:00 the event will continue in the Livonian National House, with greetings by guests, presentation of the new platform of the Livonian language and culture Livonian.tech, and presentation of the initiative of the National Latvia’s encyclopaedia about including the Livonian language into the titles of the entries of the encyclopaedia. The opening event of the Decade will be accompanied by a mixed choir “Lōja” from Salaspils, Livonian song ensemble “Laula” from Kūolka (Kolka) and a Livonian singer and song author Julgī Stalte.

The event is organized by UL Livonian Institute in cooperation with the Livonian community organizations and Latvian National Commission for UNESCO.