Latvia's '2x2' cultural camp set for its Australian premiere in 2025

Celebrating Six Decades of the Global Latvian Youth Seminar "2x2"

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the "2x2" global Latvian youth seminar, an event that has been bringing together young Latvians from around the world since the 1960s.

Originating in North America, the seminar has since expanded its reach, with camps now held in Latvia since 2015. The seminar's theme of two suns during the solstice symbolizes two types of themselves, a concept that remains central to the event.

The intensive week-long seminar is packed with orientations or interactive lectures in the morning, projects or activities in the afternoon, and games, creative events, songs, dances, and conversations in the evenings.

Dārta Apsite and Vanda Dauksta, both with extensive experience in the "2x2" seminar, will be leading this year's event. Apsite, the head of the workshop, states that the seminar aims to establish new friendships, discuss, sing, and strengthen the feeling of belonging to Latvia. Dauksta, on the other hand, will be providing an exciting program for the event.

Initially, the purpose of the camps was to gather exiled Latvians to preserve a sense of national unity. Over the years, however, the focus has broadened to include young Latvians from various parts of the world.

The "2x2" seminar, named TWO SUNS, will take place at the solstice. The organization of "2x2" is based on the principle of volunteering, with all organizers working without compensation.

The seminar is aimed at 18-30-year-olds with Latvian backgrounds. "2x2" aims to hold camps in various locations, including those outside of Latvia, to provide opportunities for young Latvians living abroad to meet and discuss their identity.

More information about the seminar can be found at ej.uz/2x2divassaules. Despite our efforts, the names of the board members or program managers of the upcoming "2x2" seminar series celebrating its 60th anniversary this year could not be found in our search results.

In the summer of 2024, "2x2" camps were held in Canada and Germany, a testament to the seminar's global reach and enduring appeal. As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we look forward to another year of fostering connections, discussions, and a strong sense of Latvian identity among its participants.