“Latvian School Finish” Lucia Rananes McKashan office in secondary school

In the 1 st semester of 2021/20212, the activities of the “Latvian School Finish” programme continued in Latvian schools, presenting young people with various educational and history educational developments.

He had a chance to watch the new Riga Theatre's digital exhibition “teacher Jps and his class”, created according to Jacques Friens's story motives. The attractive teacher Jaap and his schooling methods are liked by students, as it was topical and binding – school, relationships with teachers, relationships with classmates, and family relationships. The pupils, watching the show, said, “I learned from the show that the lessons could be fun and interesting”, “I liked the fact that the teacher Jap was on all 100% – they must be all teachers!”

Most events were organised this year for the independence of the Republic of Latvia and the struggles of freedom.

As part of the project, pupils had the opportunity to participate in the remote Zoom museum pedagogical lesson “what you know about Latvia?” organised by the Cēsis Museum. The students were introduced to the history of the flag of Latvia, its authors and the flag of the flag of the flag, in which the Latvian flag of 105 years of age is stored gently. Young people introduced the first “promotional” materials of the Republic of Latvia – 1917 postcards with Latvian symbolic – red white flag, which is only approved as a national flag in November 1918. The Latvian Army was also discussed, indicating the important battle places for a free, independent Latvian state. The patrol vessels “Cēsis”, “Rezekne”, “Viesīte”, “Skrunda” and “Jelgava” were also named as the critics. In the second part of the lesson, students had the opportunity to verify their knowledge of Latvia's symbolism, the author of the anthem, the presidents and other significant persons.

The 8 th, 9 th class students had the opportunity to participate in the famous lesson “Latvian soldier during the First World War and Latvian Independence War – the cornerstone of the establishment of Latvia”, which was offered by the association “grey Vilks”. The students were introduced to the English soldier of World War 1: both spoons and knives, boiler, beard knife and soap. Similarly, the precious chicken and soldier boots he used and saved for years. He also introduced more familiar things – duchers, turtle hats and a hundred-year-old phone. The consciences and sacrifices of soldiers were praised in relation to their property. The Latvian Army's emblem was also explained to young people, as an army distinguishing sign, which was placed on hat cockpit and uniforms. It was interesting for pupils to admit that it would be much more interesting to look at the exhibits.

In the framework of the “Latvian School Finish” programme, students of classes 9-12 had the opportunity to watch the exhibition “meeting place – Riga City II Theatre.” During this time, it was possible to observe the speech of the Members of the First President of the People's Council of Latvia, the atmosphere and significance of the festive event, and in the background the pupils hear talking to the bored viewer who has carried out the leap in the past. Listening carefully – many interesting historical conclusions and political judgements can be made. Among the patriotic and enthusiastic politicians, there were also sceptical and doubtful people, among the clever and erudites, the confused. It's all revealed in the pupils during the show.

The group 4-12 had a unique opportunity to look at the expedition of the Belshevica life story in the movie Bille. With his classmates, young people tried to understand what is a lethputrium, meaning “ultra-children”, who knew the conditions of normal Latvian family life at the end of the 20 th century. There was no indifferent student who would not be remembered in the film during the time of the film.

Thank you very much for the “Latvian School Finish” for the wide range of developments and the opportunity to explore Latvian cultural developments!

Ilze Teilāne,
Co-ordinator of “Latvian School Finish” AT L. Rananes McKashan High School