Latvian Language Agency launches quiz tournament for Latvians abroad

The Latvian Language Agency, in partnership with the quiz brand 'Cietie rieksti' (Hard Nuts), is inviting Latvians living abroad to join its annual tournament, 'Cietie rieksti for Latvians Worldwide.' Organizers noted that for six years running, the tournament's start has coincided with the arrival of autumn in Latvia, and this year is no exception.

Dedicated to the alphabet

This year's theme centers on the Latvian alphabet, as next year marks 70 years since the alphabet took the form known today, with 33 letters.

How to take part

Participants form teams of three to five people and choose a team name. Registration happens on the website www.cietierieksti.com, under the 'Cietie rieksti. Alphabet' section. Each team may register and play each round only once, watching a recording of the game at a convenient time and then submitting answers to 30 varied questions. Results are published on the tournament's website.

The tournament consists of five rounds, each running for one week. Answers for the first round can be submitted from October 12 to October 18, 2026, by 23:59 Latvian time; the schedule for subsequent rounds is posted on the tournament website. The ten best-performing teams will advance to the final round, which will take place online on November 21. Prizes will be awarded both to top performers in individual rounds and to the winners of the final.

The Latvian Language Agency operates under the Ministry of Education and Science, with a mission to strengthen and sustain the status of the Latvian language, including supporting the diaspora in learning and preserving the language abroad.