News

Staff from Jelgava City Hospital – surgeon Kaspars Vaivods and neonatologist Ilze Punka – have returned from an exchange trip to Jelgava’s sister city, Carmel (IN, USA), where they spent two weeks visiting one of the 16 hospitals in the Indiana University Health network in the state of Indiana, gaining medical experience and getting acquainted with the working environment of a multidisciplinary medical institution.

In an effort to foster friendship and enhance knowledge about Jelgava and Latvia, the Jelgava City Library sent approximately 40 books of various genres, along with CDs and games, to its sister city Carmel in Indiana, USA, this May.

On the 8th and 9th of June, the “Summer Signs 2024” festival will take place on Pasta Island. Visitors will be welcomed by the largest sand sculpture park in the Baltics, where 17 professional sculptors from 10 countries will reveal their interpretations of the theme “World Fairy Tales” through sand art. The festival will also traditionally feature concerts by Latvian musicians and a wide-ranging entertainment programme for families with children.

“Jelgava today is not what it was yesterday, and the city tomorrow will no longer be what we know today. Jelgava is constantly growing, changing, and developing. However, the soul of the city remains unchanged – the people of Jelgava, who are demanding, wise, and industrious. The people of Jelgava are the driving force that has kept the city moving for 759 years. That is why every birthday of the city is also a celebration for every resident, as we clearly understand that Jelgava is us. Happy birthday, Jelgava!” wishes Andris Rāviņš, the Chairman of Jelgava City Council, inviting everyone to enjoy the festivities this week.

Next week we will celebrate Jelgava’s 759th birthday. Residents and visitors are invited to take photos as a keepsake or as a greeting to Jelgava on its anniversary. Photo frames designed as festive postcards have been set up on Driksa Street and in Ozolskvērs. Festive decorations in the city’s colours have also been placed elsewhere.

Residents of Jelgava are invited to visit the photo exhibition ‘Carmel in Photo Moments’ in the foyer of the Jelgava Cultural Centre until June 3, which introduces Jelgava’s newest sister city – Carmel, USA. By viewing the works of local photographers, it is possible to gain an insight into the architecture, culture, and residents of the sister city.

Jelgava city festival is a time of patriotism, pride and being together, when each of us feels the most belonging to our city. A joint celebration unites and confirms – we are Jelgava! This year, we will celebrate Jelgava’s 759th birthday with a rich festive program from May 24 to 26.

Continuing to strengthen the collaboration between Jelgava and our sister city Carmel in the USA, on May 4, for the first time, two doctors from Jelgava City Hospital went on an exchange of experiences to the state of Indiana. Over the next two weeks, they will visit state hospitals to gain medical experience and familiarize themselves with the working environment of medical institutions. In March, Jelgava City Hospital received an invitation from Indiana University Health in the USA, offering the opportunity for two of the institution’s medical professionals to participate in an exchange program.

In gratitude for the 17 years of long-standing friendship and successful cooperation in various areas, the sister city of Jelgava in France, Rueil-Malmaison, has arranged an exclusive gift for our city – the large gates of the fence of the Jelgava Holy Trinity Church tower, crafted according to historical gate photographs. On Saturday, in the presence of the sister city delegation, the gates were ceremoniously unveiled. “This is a wonderful testament to the friendship between our two cities. Jelgava expresses great gratitude to you for this valuable gift and for recognizing the historical significance of the gates of the Jelgava Holy Trinity Church tower and allowing this object to regain its historical large gates,” thanked the Chairman of the Jelgava City Council, Andris Rāviņš.

This week, from Jelgava’s sister city in France, Rueil-Malmaison, the large metal gates of the tower of the Holy Trinity Church in our city have been delivered. This French gift to Jelgava serves as a symbol of friendship for over 15 years of successful collaboration between the two cities in various fields. On Saturday, April 27th, at 12 o’clock by the tower, the unveiling of the grand gates will take place, and Jelgava residents are also invited to participate.

On April 24th, the extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of Georgia to Latvia, Irakli Kurashvili, along with his advisor Mikheil Sulaberidze, visited Jelgava on an official visit, to get acquainted with the city and discuss further cooperation.

In May, the Jelgava municipality will announce a tender for the project “Development of Zemgale Industrial Park, Phase I.” This will involve the reconstruction of sections of Atmodas, Lapskalna, and Slokas streets, as well as the establishment of new road sections to connect Atmodas Street with Dobele Highway, and the resurfacing of asphalt on Meiju Street. This will be one of the most ambitious projects in the city in recent times, significantly transforming this area of the city in the coming years.