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Hello.
So, I'm here on Riga's streets
and I want to speak with some people,
so today... today I want to know
what I have to do to become Latvian.
Let's go.
Come on, come on. Follow me.
- I have a question...
- No? Not interested?
- Well okay... thank you...
You have to a really brave foreigner, if you want to live here.
I don't believe it. Do you?
I don't know... if someone has a big pension perhaps he'd come,
but a young person? I don't know.
I don't know...
You should get married to a Latvian, she will teach you all traditions.
What are you saying!
Ehm... well, I don't know what you need.
Real, nice roses perhaps. - Roses? Red roses?
Latvian roses. Not from the Netherlands.
- Aha, not Dutch... Latvian roses? Yes, these are Latvian.
These are real Latvian roses. My husband's business.
The first bouquet of flowers in spring,
That is what really touches you, those first small flowers.
Not from the garden, but the ones growing in nature.
For me personally, that's closest to my heart.
Well, I don't think that you need to start a family right away
to become Latvian.
Maybe just live here for some time
so you'll understand how it is here, what we do.
And then you'll see if you still want to become Latvian.
Right now everybody is leaving, and you are coming here!
It's just necessary to work more
to work on your farmstead.
- So you think that Latvians are not very good at working hard?
No, they are hard-working people! But it's necessary to work more.
It's necessary to sing less, and to work more.
Because now, it's the time to gather the hay
for the cows. But they are singing! What's wrong with them!
Latvians are different: Some are envious, some malevolent,
some industrious.
I don't want to say that they can be characterized by singing
that's totally off the point. The problem is that they aren't raising
their children to become hard-working. We were raised with work.
I was raised by my grandmother, in the countryside, with hard work and all.
But now there isn't anything.
- What do I need to do to become Latvian?
To become Latvian...
It will happen naturally. You'll live in Latvia, eat Latvian food,
and you never know if you will like that food.
Because if you're from America, it's very different.
Oh, what to do to be like Latvian! Go to McDonald's...
then to cinema...
then you go home, buy a pizza, put it into the microwave, eat it.
I don't know... no need... I... don't know.
Pickled sour cabbage. That's very tasty.
Try some day pork ribs.
Yes... this is what does it...
You have to go through the naturalization process.
The State language exam. Unfortunately we have a population group
that have lived here all their lives, but can't learn it.
Just can't. Or don't want to.
- I want to know what you think I have to do to become Latvian?
Speak Latvian. Think Latvian.
- And what does that mean, to think Latvian?
To think in Latvian.
- You mean in Latvian language?
Yes. You could also speak Latvian but think Russian. Or English.
But if you want to be a Latvian, you need to speak in Latvian,
and think in Latvian.
I don't know. Go to school maybe.
To go through naturalization process. You visit the courses, learn
the anthem. It's about elementary things. It's very simple.
You just go to the Migration Office and say you want to naturalize.
- How would I demonstrate you that I also think in Latvian,
- that I don't just speak? How to prove it? Do I have to dance, or...?
- or play chess in the park? Or...?
No, no, no!
- Maybe let's exchange hats?
Ah, yeah, maybe...!
To show... what you can... what education you have,
what you will be. For example a journalist, or...
or whatever profession you have, I don't know.
- I'm an artist.
Then make your pictures
- Patriotic paintings?
Paintings, yes. Not patriotism. Rather those... those...
Also political paintings, no, rather not.
The wonderful bouquet of old buildings
You have to be born in Latvia, and live here, to understand.
For example, I've been abroad, too. In military service and all, you know.
There is always this feeling that you have to go home, to your land.
That's the most important.
Cricked narrow streets, sun, music...
I live here, that's my country, I was born here,
How could I not like it!
I'm a citizen. It's my country.
You have to carry the country in your soul.
To get to know the rituals, it's easier if you live here
Go to the Open-Air museum in Jugla.
There's a historic... there are all historic rituals. Every year at Easter,
at Midsummer. The best place to get to know the traditions.
You know, I have no friends left. They have all gone.
Home. - Dead.
Let me tell you like this: The one who is used to work,
will work hard. He is always working hard.
But the one who already feasting, doesn't work hard anymore.
But we still work the way we're used to work.
- Thank you very much for your information.
- I'm Rudis. Maybe we'll meet again.
- All the best to you, and happiness. Thank you!
"How to become a Latvian"