British Latvian Association
Cultural, historical and topical events for anyone interested in Latvia and its links with the United Kingdom
Members of the British Latvian Association (BLA) share a deep sense of connection to Latvia and its rich cultural heritage.
Our talks are delivered in English, by experts in their field, exploring Latvia’s fascinating history, culture, geo-politics and long-standing links with the UK.
Whether you are a Latvian expatriate, have Latvian heritage, or simply have an interest in Latvia, you are welcome to join us as a friend to attend our online and in-person events.
Please also consider becoming a member to help support our work. We are entirely funded by our members.
Upcoming Events
BLA Talks Program for 2025 Coming Soon
Monthly, usually on a Thursday
at 18:00 GMT (20:00 EET)
Online events over Zoom
Open to members and friends of the BLA
The BLA Talks program for 2024 is now complete.
The program for 2025 is being finalised with talks for the first part of the year due to be announced here shortly.
Recent Events
The Regional Museums of Latvia
with Dr. Zane Grīnvalde
Tuesday, 25th March 2025 at 18:00 GMT (20:00 EET)
Online event over Zoom
Open to members and friends of the BLA
In her talk, Dr. Grīnvalde shares with us the many fine regional museums of Latvia and explains how, through the value of their collections, research work, and communication, they enrich the lives of the communities they serve.
Originally from Alūksne, Dr. Grīnvalde has been at the Madona Local History and Art Museum since 2014 and became its director in 2024. She is also Head of the Latvian Museums Association and a member of the Executive Board of the Network of European Museums Organisation.
Recollections of the UK’s Second Ambassador to Latvia
with Richard Ralph
Thursday, 27th February 2025 at 18:00 GMT (20:00 EET)
Online event over Zoom
Open to members and friends of the BLA
In this talk, Richard shares his memories and impressions from 1993-1995, when he served as the United Kingdom’s second ambassador to the Republic of Latvia, a time when Latvia was still in the early stages of its transformation from former Soviet republic to modern European democracy.
Richard is a former diplomat who also served as Governor of the Falkland Islands and the UK’s Ambassador to Peru. He is the current Chairman amd Mebership Secretary of the British Latvian Association.
Mushrooming in Latvia
with Diāna Meiere
Thursday, 21st November 2024 at 18:00 GMT (20:00 EET)
Online event over Zoom
Open to members and friends of the BLA
In her talk Diāna spoke about the mushroom picking tradition and its roots in Latvia, giving some examples of Latvian’s obsession with picking, preparing, storing and eating muchrooms, as well as using them in some less traditional ways.
Diāna is a mycologist at the Natural History Museum of Latvia, a published author on Latvian fungi and head of The Mycological Society of Latvia.
Is the Baltic Sea a NATO Lake?
with Ian Bond
Thursday, 31st October 2024 at 18:00 GMT (20:00 EET)
Online event over Zoom
Open to members and friends of the BLA
The Baltic Sea region is under increasing threat from Russia, not only in military terms but from hybrid operations and attacks on critical subsea infrastructure. Yet, all of the states surrounding it, except Russia, are now members of NATO. In his talk, Ian discussed how Latvia, the UK and other partners can best ensure security in the region.
Ian is Deputy director of the Centre for European Reform and served as British Ambassador to Latvia from 2005-2007.
Annual General Meeting 2024 and Monitoring Latvia for the BBC
with Christopher Moseley
Thursday, 19th Sep 2024 at 18:00 GMT
Embassy of Latvia, 45 Nottingham Place, London W1U 5LY
Open to BLA members only
With the gracious permission of the new Latvian ambassador to the UK, His Excellency Atis Lots, the British Latvian Association held its Annual General Meeting at the Embassy of Latvia in London.
After the meeting, BLA committee member and expert in Baltic languages, Christopher Moseley, gave an extremely interesting and engaging talk, describing his experience of monitoring Latvian radio for the BBC through the tumultuous years in which Latvia regained its independence.
Summer Party 2024 and Book Launch: The Bradt Guide to Latvia
with Ambassador Paul Brummel
Thursday, 27th June 2024 at 18:00 GMT
72QT - The London Latvian Centre, 72 Queensborough Terrace, London W2 3SH
Open to BLA members, their families and guests
Members and guests of the BLA gathered at the London Latvian Centre for a slightly delayed midsummer party and to hear His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Latvia, Paul Brummell give an extremely entertaining talk launching his new book, The Bradt Guide to Latvia.
For those new to Latvia, Paul’s book highlights all the familiar gems but also points out other great places to visit that may be new, even to residents and seasoned travellers.
A lovely evening was had by all with lively conversation, wonderful food from the team at 72QT and music from David Clarke and Friends.
European Art in Rīga
with Dr. Daiga Upeniece
Thursday, 16th May 2024 at 18:00 GMT (20:00 EET)
Online meeting over Zoom
Open to members and friends of the BLA
The Art Museum Riga Bourse brings together foreign art collections formed in Riga from the 16th to the early 20th century, embracing works from Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Italy.
In her talk, Dr. Upeniece described the historical background of the museum and some of the important paintings in the collection.
Dr. Upeniece, an art historian, has been head of the Art Museum Riga Bourse since 2011, being previously Director of the Museum of Foreign Art. She has curated numerous international exhibitions and authored many publications.
The Monuments of Rīga
with Dr. Gunārs Nāgels
Thursday, 18th April 2024 at 18:00 GMT (20:00 EET)
Online meeting over Zoom
Open to members and friends of the BLA
The Riga Monument Agency is a local government agency tasked with the maintenance and restoration of the outdoor monuments, sculptures, and similar objects in Riga. Its Director, Dr. Nāgels, took us on an illustrated journey showing how these objects can bring the joys of life or memories of the horrors of the Holocaust.
The talk also touched upon the traces of politicians, businessmen and warriors with British heritage who have been active in Latvia for centuries.
An American in Rīga on Putin’s Russia
with Michele Berdy
Tuesday, 20th February 2024 at 18:00 GMT (20:00 EET)
Online meeting over Zoom
Open to members and friends of the BLA
In her talk to the British Latvian Association on 20th February 2024, American journalist, Michele Berdy, describes how she came to live in Moscow, her views on Putin's Russia, and what it is like reporting on Russia from abroad.
Michele also gives her impressions of Latvia, including the sensitive question of the Russian speaking population and she also discussed the future of Russia, it's implications for Latvia, the Baltic States and the West more generally.
The Road of Slaughter
with Vincent Hunt
Thursday, 18th January 2024 at 18:00 GMT (20:00 EET)
Online meeting over Zoom
Open to members and friends of the BLA
In this talk, journalist and author, Vincent Hunt, discussed his fourth book on the fate of the Latvian 15th SS Division in Pomerania, January-March 1945
With chilling echoes of the 2022 war in Ukraine, 40,000 Latvian soldiers of the 15th SS Division faced the Red Army in Pomerania in Arctic blizzards between January and March 1945. Some were veterans of the Russian Front but most were raw teenage conscripts. One in three died: the majority never returned home. They became the lost Legion.
Early Medieval Baltic Archaeology
with Barry Ager
9th November 2023 at 18:00 GMT (20:00 EET)
Online meeting over Zoom
Open to members and friends of the BLA
Barry focused on the archeological and structural evidence for the Balts in the Early Medieval period, before the Christian missions and military campaigns began. He also covered the amber trade, which brought the region into long-distance contact with the Roman Empire as early as the reign of Nero, and much later relations with Scandinavia, which were not always on the best of terms.
Barry was formerly Curator of the Continental Early Medieval Collection at the British Museum,
Join Us
All of our events are free to attend. You can become a Friend of the British Latvian Association (BLA) simply by registering your interest and attending any of our regular online or in person events.
All of the costs of our activities are met entirely by our members, who get advance notice of events, access to the BLA’s newsletter Blāzma and invitations to any “members only” events such as our seasonal parties and recent visit to see the Latvian Collection at the British Library.
Membership is priced at £20 per person, per year (£10 for students)