Latvia's Society of the Blind marks its centenary at Strazdumuiža
The Latvian Society of the Blind, whose community hub in Strazdumuiža has stood for nearly 150 years, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Chairman Kaspars Biezais describes daily operations and his own work coaching children's judo.
On a weekday morning, the streets around Strazdumuiža, which has served for almost a century and a half as the hub for Latvia's blind community, appear quiet, with only a handful of people about. Behind that calm, however, lies constant activity overseen by Kaspars Biezais, chairman of the Latvian Society of the Blind.
The organization is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Biezais, who has just returned from a week-long vacation, says his first day back was overwhelming in terms of workload. According to him, the volume of work does not really change with the seasons — whether summer or winter, cooperation continues with municipalities, the society's own capital companies, and various ministries.
Sport alongside leadership
Alongside running the society, Kaspars Biezais is also a judo Paralympian. In the evenings, he coaches children in judo. He says his main priority is introducing children to a sport he himself enjoys and that they might come to enjoy as well, while also developing the coordination skills the sport builds.
Biezais notes that in recent years, the number of girls training under his guidance has grown.
The Latvian Society of the Blind continues to combine social and administrative support for blind residents, working alongside state and municipal institutions, while Strazdumuiža remains a historic and still-active community center.
