Myths and reality: former Latvian Radio chief turned traveler Dzintris Kolāts
Two persistent myths still surround former Latvian Radio director-general Dzintris Kolāts, though in reality his recent years have unfolded far from the newsroom, somewhere between the village of Kuivizi and Africa.
In Latvia, both in the village of Kuivizi and in Riga, two widespread but false ideas about Dzintris Kolāts continue to circulate. Kolāts is the former director-general of Latvian Radio, now also known as an avid traveler.
Two myths
The first myth claims that Kolāts still holds a leading position at Latvian Radio and continues to work as its chief. The second suggests that, although he has left the post, he still occasionally appears on air. Neither claim turns out to be true — Kolāts is no longer involved in the station's day-to-day work, nor does he regularly take part in broadcasts.
Rich experience in both fields
While the myths themselves are untrue, they did not emerge from nothing — Kolāts has accumulated broad experience both in radio and in travel. His life story combines a senior leadership role at a public broadcaster with later years spent traveling the world. He is reportedly ready to speak openly about both chapters of his life.
The link to Kuivizi
Kuivizi holds a special place in Kolāts's story — it is the place he is connected to, and where the myths about him also circulate, just as they do in the capital. The mentioned link between Kuivizi and Africa suggests that his recent years have played out between these two seemingly distant points: a quiet Latvian coastal village and a faraway continent his passion for travel has taken him to.
An open conversation is promised, covering both his past in radio and his travel experiences and a life lived far from the usual noise of the media world.
