Public invited to join “Different Shoes Day” campaign in Jelgava and beyond
On September 25, Latvia's Welfare Ministry is holding its fourth annual “Different Shoes Day” social campaign, encouraging people to wear mismatched shoes to raise awareness of people with functional disabilities. Jelgava will host an event at the “Taka” center.
For the fourth year running, Latvia's Ministry of Welfare is inviting the public to take part in the “Different Shoes Day” social campaign on September 25. The initiative aims to raise awareness and foster an inclusive attitude toward people with functional disabilities, including mental health conditions. Participants are asked to wear two different shoes, one on each foot, as a symbolic gesture of understanding toward people facing such challenges.
Event in Jelgava
In Jelgava, an event will take place from 12:00 to 14:00 at the social services center “Taka” on Stacijas iela 13. The program includes a performance by the Benjamiņi House mixed choir “Atpuhta,” led by conductor Jēkabs Bernāts. Visitors can also expect inspiring personal stories, musical performances, creative workshops and an exhibition. The event will be hosted by Krists Latišs. “Taka” is one of the centers in Jelgava providing community-based social services.
A growing international initiative
Campaign events will also be held in Riga, Smiltene, Kuldīga and Preiļi. Over the years, the initiative has grown into an international cooperation effort, now joined by 11 European Union member states. Organizers are encouraging everyone to wear mismatched shoes on the day and share photos on social media using the hashtag #IekāpOtraKurpēs.
The campaign is linked to the broader development of community-based social services in Latvia, supported by the European Social Fund since 2016 as part of the country's deinstitutionalization efforts. By the end of 2026, at least 20 more such projects are planned, which would expand access to services for at least 2,635 people belonging to deinstitutionalization target groups.
