Composer Raimonds Pauls to receive Cabinet of Ministers Award for lifetime contribution

At its Tuesday meeting, the Latvian government backed a decision to give the Cabinet of Ministers Award to composer and pianist Raimonds Pauls. It recognises his lifetime contribution to the development of Latvian music and culture, the strengthening of national identity and the promotion of Latvia's name worldwide. The news was provided by Lita Kokale, head of the Public Relations Department at the Ministry of Culture.

The Cabinet of Ministers Award is the highest honour given by the Latvian government, ranking just below the Order of the Three Stars. Laureates will receive an Honorary Diploma, a breast badge and a cash prize of 10,000 euros at a formal ceremony.

Other laureates

The award also goes to Anna Žīgure, a writer, journalist, translator and diplomat, for strengthening cultural and diplomatic ties among Latvia, Finland and Estonia and for her work in literature, translation and journalism.

Daiga Dadzīte, former president of the Latvian Paralympic Committee, was honoured for her contribution to sport and to the inclusion of people with disabilities in society. Agronomist Edgars Ruža, founder and long-time head of the cooperative "LATRAPS", was recognised for attracting foreign investment and boosting Latvia's competitiveness.

In medicine, the award goes to University of Latvia professor Mārcis Leja for his work in oncology, cancer prevention and early diagnostics, and to Sandra Lejniece, professor at Riga Stradiņš University and head of the Haematology Clinic at Riga East University Hospital, for her lifetime contribution to medical science and the modernisation of healthcare.

Certificates of Appreciation

The government decided to grant 37 Certificates of Appreciation. In culture, recipients include Māris Skanis, former director of the Bauska Castle Museum; the team behind the National Library's "500 for the Latvian Book" event series; Rudīte Kalpiņa, editor-in-chief of the magazine "Domuzīme"; teacher Inta Udodova; art historian Rūta Kaminska; film producer Andrejs Ēķis; and architect Juris Dambis. The culture minister will present the certificates to cultural figures at a formal event.

The Certificate of Appreciation was established by the Cabinet of Ministers in April 1995 and is given for outstanding achievements in various fields.