On November 18, in the Embassy of Latgale GORS was held the Independence Day concert “The Feel of Latvia” which revealed the popular folk songs and compositions of beloved composers as Raimonds Pauls, Imants Kalniņš and others, in the new sounds, performed by Jolanta Gulbe and Swede Hans Antehed. In the concert participated singer Jolanta Gulbe-Paškeviča, saxophone virtuoso Deniss Paškevičs and the Trio of Hans Antehed: Hans Antehed (Sweden) (piano, arranger), Edvīns Ozols (bass), and Daniels Olsons (Sweden), drums and percussions.
During the first part of concert the award of the Honorous Citizen of Rezekne was given to Iveta Apkalna (Iveta Schuenemann) for the effort in the culture environment of Latgale and Latvia as well as the popularizing the image of Rezekne city. Iveta Apkalna was born in Rezekne and has made the name of Rezekne known in the culture environment of the world. At the age 16, she was assignet to be an organist in the visit of John Paul II in Aglona Basilica in 1993. Since then, she has advanced her skills and has gained the high assessment and recognition in Latvian and international competitions. Today she is one of the most active and highly demanded solo organists. Iveta Apkalna was participating in the Grand Opening Ceremony of the Embassy of Latgale GORS, and thanks to her persistence, with the support of the State Stock Company “Latvia’s State Forests”, now the digital organ Johannus Ecclesia can be played on the stage of the Embassy of Latgale GORS. In her numerous concerts, the artists especially highlights her origin – Latvia, Rezekne.
During the ceremony, Latgale Business Center (LUC) of Latgale Planning Region (LPR) awarded the local businesses within “The Award of Latgale Region Business 2014” (announced with a support of LPR Development Council). The goal of the competition was to identify and honor the business owners of Latgale Planning Region for their active and honest work in their industry, to promote the business environment in Latgale region and the visibility of the business owners of Latgale Planning Region, to popularize the examples of a good practice in business of Latgale. The award “The Comersant of the Year” was given to the “Austrumlatvijas koncertzāle” Ltd or the Embassy of Latgale GORS.
