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“We are truly proud and grateful to have such outstanding and inspiring individuals here in Latvia who, through selfless action, help those in need and elevate Latvia’s name on the international stage,” said Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima, on Friday, October 17, as she expressed gratitude to representatives of civil society for their support of Ukraine. Ukrainian State awards were presented today at the Saeima to Liene Dambiņa, President of the Children's Hospital Foundation in Latvia, and NGO “Agendum” for their significant contributions in providing aid to Ukraine during the war. Deputy Speaker Kalniņa-Lukaševica presented the awards together with Edvards Smiltēns, Secretary of the Saeima, and Vasyl Kniazevych, Head of the Honourable Council of the Ukrainian Order of Saint Panteleimon.
During the award ceremony, the Deputy Speaker of the Saeima emphasised that Russia once seemed unstoppable, and few dared to believe in Ukraine's unwavering will, courage and strength, “yet, by believing and witnessing how the people of Ukraine stood up without the slightest hesitation against overwhelming force, inscribing themselves into the history of the 21st century in golden letters, individuals around the world joined hands. By supporting each other, many people in Latvia and across the world found ways to help and strengthen the people of Ukraine.”
She stressed that today’s award recipients are people who tirelessly and selflessly fight for justice, for our future and, ultimately, for humanity: “These individuals have changed and continue to change people's lives, and are contributing to the fight for the independence of our friends and allies in Ukraine.”
While congratulating the award recipients and thanking them for their dedicated work in support of Ukraine, Secretary Smiltēns also highlighted the Twitter Convoy exhibition, which is currently on display in the Plenary Chamber of the Saeima. The exhibition is dedicated to the Latvian volunteer movement, which has provided significant support to Ukraine and delivered more than 3200 vehicles to the country’s defenders.
The Order of Saint Panteleimon is a Ukrainian State award, initiated in 2009 by the Ukrainian Ministry of Health to recognize outstanding achievements by medical professionals. The Order has also been awarded to civil society activists since 2017, to combat medics since 2022, and to individuals in gratitude of their support of Ukraine since 2024.
This is the second year that representatives from Latvia have been honoured for their significant contributions in supporting Ukraine during the war. Last year, the Order was presented to combat medic Sarmīte Cīrule and NGO “Tavi draugi” (“Your friends”), who also addressed today’s award ceremony at the Saeima.
The event featured performances by the boys’ choir of the Jāzeps Mediņš 1st Music School of Riga, musician Marta Korneliusa and Ukrainian bandura player Daria Leleko.
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/saeima/albums/72177720329726917/with/54860734850/
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Saeima Press Service