Paste no Latvija...Post from Latvia...with a touch of Paris!!!

Here is a Tapestry done by my very dear Aunt/Tantin and Godmother/Krustmate...

Dieves Sveti Latviju....translated to God Bless Latvia...

so what does this have to do with this post...

Yesterday I received a parcel from Latvia...Paste no Latvija from my very dear/mila Cousin/Macica Dagnija...

Dagnija has been reading my blog over in Latvia and has sent me this absolutely gorgeous linen apron/prieksauts...

along with some woven linen...

and the well known Laima chocolate/sokolade...
Absolutely gorgeous gifts Dagnija...I will put them all to good use!!!
Daudz Daudz paldies mila Dagnija...
Many many thanks dear Dagnija...

A few weeks ago my very dear Friend Georgina sent me a postcard from Paris...
Georgina was there last month and promised to purchase me a gift for my birthday...all the way from Paris...

This beaut little cheese grater...the grater actually comes out of the pack and the Eiffel Tower can be used as a frame...or I think it could be left there and hung up...


And the biggest surprise from Georgina...a brooch from Riga...the capital of Latvia/Latvija!!!
Thank you Dear Friend Georgina...
Daudz paldies draudzene Dzordzina!!!

So...what do Riga and Paris have in common...Riga has been called 'The Paris of the Baltics'...
Pic is of old Riga/Vec Riga...
Old Riga is, as its name suggests, the most ancient part of the city. It covers the area upon which the old Livonian and Courlandian settlements were found in the 11th and 12th centuries. Beginning in the 13th century, the site became a fortified Medieval city-fortress, one which was gradually enlarged as the decades passed. As was typical for European cities of the same age, Riga was built around a central square, with castles for the feudal overlords - The Archbishop of Riga and the Livonian Order of Knights - churches and cloisters, guilds for tradesmen and craftsmen, and narrow winding streets along wich residential homes were located.
Riga has a rich history with the name appearing in historical chronicles for the first time in 1198 and the town of Riga was founded in 1201
Text Riga Celvedis Guide, Jumava

Timber features heavily in the Latvian culture...with amber/dzintars jewellery very predominant...

Dzintra is the feminine form which is my Latvian name which I have recently started to use... pronounced without the D...but in actual Latvian it is a soft dzzz sound, which the Greek language recognizes and says beautifully...just thought I'd throw that in...

and of course still known as Ingrid!!!

There is even a song...Pie Dzintara Juras...translated By The Amber Sea...or as I like to think of it...Dzintra by the Sea!!! The beautiful St Peters Church/Sv. Petera Baznica

Hand carved timber lady holding an amber/dzintars

Latvians have many Culture Days/Kulturas Dienas...

One of which is the Song Festival/Janu Diena...A Midsummer Festival held in June...a huge event!!!

Here in Australia there are Latvian Halls...one in Sydney and one in Adelaide...most capital cities here do have these Halls...

Round bowls which can be used for jewellery (in front)...Latvian dollies wearing National Costume/Tautas Starpa...candle holder in the background...

This post has inspired me to do a post on Latvia/Latvija which I will do in a little while...

And to Dagnija who has asked how to comment:

Hit Translate button

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Hope this works for you...

I hope you have enjoyed this little post on Riga...Dzintra♥

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Meanwhile...I have been lucky enough to have met Vicki over in California in the United States of America and we have decided to do some cook ups together from the Donna Hay magazine which she has been lucky enough to find over there.

If you get a chance check out Vicki's delightful blog and see what she has been up to...while I prepare my meal. This is going to be fun Vicki...

Stay tuned...