Latvia marks “Different Shoes Day” with concerts and public events
On September 25, five Latvian cities held events for the Welfare Ministry's social campaign “Different Shoes Day,” encouraging the public to understand and accept people with functional and mental disabilities. Now in its fourth year, the campaign carried the slogan “Step into another's shoes. Let's move forward together.”
On Friday, September 25, Latvia held its Welfare Ministry-organized social campaign “Different Shoes Day,” inviting residents to wear two mismatched shoes as a symbolic gesture of understanding toward people with functional and mental disabilities. The campaign's central events took place simultaneously from 12:00 to 15:00 in Riga, Smiltene, Kuldīga, Preiļi and Jelgava.
All five venues shared a common concept: choir performances as a symbol of unity, highlighting that diversity creates a beautiful collective sound and that everyone in society has a voice and a place. This year marked the campaign's fourth edition, with its message expanded to a new slogan: “Step into another's shoes. Let's move forward together.”
Ministry's message
Welfare Ministry State Secretary Ingus Alliks stressed that accepting and including people is not just an abstract concept but concrete opportunities and everyday support. He noted that European Union fund investments are being used to purposefully develop community-based social services and infrastructure across Latvia's municipalities, but that public attitudes are an equally important part of the equation.
Events across five cities
In Riga's Āgenskalns Market, performers included Māra Upmane-Holšteine and the Riga Silverwhite Choir; in Smiltene, Ingus Ulmanis performed with the Limbaži Red Choir; in Kuldīga, Asnate Rancāne appeared with the Saulkrasti Pearl Choir; in Preiļi, tenor Dainis Skutelis performed with Preiļi choir singers; and in Jelgava, audiences were entertained by the Preiļi Purple Choir and the Preiļi seniors' choir “Līga.” The events also featured personal stories, creative workshops and exhibitions.
The initiative, which began in Latvia, has grown into an international cooperation project called “Step into Another's Shoes,” now joined by 11 EU member states aiming to promote inclusive attitudes and the development of community-based social services.
With support from the European Social Fund, Latvia has been developing community-based social services for deinstitutionalization target groups since 2016. By the end of 2026, at least 20 more projects are planned, expanding access to services for more than 2,600 people.
