Kursa 2025 Program & Open House – open doors, song battles, and dance!

Summer is almost here, and we are preparing for another exciting season at Kursa!

We will welcome 12 teachers and counselors from Latvia – the largest number so far! Some were born in Latvia – returning are Indra Jēkabsone (Geography and History); Evija Giņko (Literature and Language); Kristaps Ozolīņš (Educational Support). Others are those who have moved to Latvia – including guitarist Arnolds Kārklis (Akacis; Iļģi), a Latvian born in the U.S., who will be teaching singing and musical performance this year. Among the returning “local” U.S.-based teachers are Andris Rūtiņš (Metalsmithing), Vilnis Humeyumptewa (Folk Dance; Dean of Students), Marita Pelēce (Ceramics), and Viktors Pūpols (History and Chess). Joining the staff is Andris Balodis as an art teacher. A one-week Ethics seminar will be led by Pastor Mārtiņš Rubenis, and Pastor Ilze Larsen will teach Latvian Church History. The team of counselors has grown, as we have had more students enrolled the past couple of years. Once again, we expect at least 35 students this year – a testament to the ongoing interest in Latvian language and culture in North America.

The academic program will enter its third cycle this year. We will study history and literature from the proclamation of Latvian independence to the Second World War. Related seminars include Art History (seminar author Linda Treija, taught by Andris Balodis), and The History of the Holocaust in Latvia, with special focus on Žanis Lipke, taught by Cory McLeod together with an educational Virtual Reality film.

We invite you to visit during some of these key events:

• Sunday, July 6 – Candlelight Service led by Pastor Daira Cilne will be at 7:00 p.m. 

• Kursa Open House – July 26–27, 2025

  This year’s Visitors’ Days will follow an “open house” format – we warmly welcome all who are interested to explore our environment, work, and community! There will be opportunities to view students’ work in ceramics, art, and metalwork, as well as meet the teachers and counselors who shape this special educational space. (And, maybe even something to eat, courtesy of the Latvian Cooking group!) 

  It will also be possible to take the Latvian Language Agency (LVA) exam – if interested, please email: admin@kursa.org by July 10. Sample exams and material can be found on the LVA website: https://www.viaa.gov.lv/lv/parbaudes-programma

• Graduation will be held on Saturday, August 2 at 10:00 a.m.

  
  

For more information, please refer to the calendar on our website: 

CALENDAR