Hospiss LV Invites to 'Death Café' at LAMPA Festival
On July 10-11, Hospiss LV will run a discussion tent called 'Death Café' at the LAMPA festival, featuring seven talks about end-of-life, fears, and human dignity.
This year, the LAMPA discussion festival will host a special tent organized by the association Hospiss LV. Titled 'Death Café', the tent will offer seven discussions dedicated to end-of-life topics, including fear of death, choices, and dignified passing. The event takes place on July 10 and 11, and talks can also be followed live on Hospiss LV's Facebook page.
The program includes topics on the importance of timely help, improving doctor-patient communication, and planning the final stage of life. On Friday, July 10, discussions will include 'Why Doesn't My Doctor Care?', 'Where Should I Die?', 'Hang in There, Buddy!', and 'Imprints of Death Culture'. Saturday, July 11, features talks 'Fear, Fear – Fear of Death', 'Evacuation Plan', and 'Dumb to Die', among others.
Participants include experts from various fields, such as hospice home director Žanete Jansone, melanoma association representative Sondra Zaļupe, doctor Baiba Rozentāle, National Mental Health Center chair Sandra Pūce, film director Andris Gauja, and others. Discussions will be moderated by cultural journalist Henrieta Verhoustinska, psychologist Diāna Zande, TV presenter Edijs Bošs, and other moderators.
In addition to the discussions, both days from 12:00 to 18:00, a support point titled 'Everything Has Its Time' will be open. Visitors can learn about Latvia's first post-life planning tool MAARA, which helps arrange matters after a person's death. They can also book individual conversations with certified grief support person Artūrs Urzuls Goldmanis.
Hospiss LV co-founder Ilze Zosule emphasizes the goal is to enable open discussion about death and hospice care in society. 'Silence often creates fear, stereotypes, and loneliness, while conversation helps to understand, prepare, and be present,' she says.
