The Latvian and Estonian Foreign Ministries’ Languages Award presented to translator Daila Ozola

On 9 September 2022, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Urmas Reinsalu met in Valka, Latvia, and Valga, Estonia. The ministers discussed the bilateral and regional cooperation, took part in the ceremony for the presentation of the Languages Award bestowed by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and Estonia, and heard the presentation of a report on future cooperation between Latvia and Estonia.

This year, the Languages Award of the Latvian and Estonian Foreign Ministries went to the translator Daila Ozola. “It gives me great pleasure to be here at Valka Local History Museum today. I am also happy to welcome my colleague Urmas Reinsalu to Valka, a town at the border of Latvia and Estonia, so as to jointly host the ceremony for the presentation of the annual Languages Award. This is the thirteenth time that the prize is being awarded, while I am presenting it together with my Estonian counterpart for the second time. 

The Latvian Foreign Minister drew attention to the major role played by the Languages Award in promoting the Latvian and Estonian languages, and a mutual understanding and interest between the two nations. “This year, translations of children’s books deserve a special mention: they offer people of both nationalities the opportunity to get to know each other from early childhood. By fostering interest in our neighbours’ literature and culture, we are laying the foundation of friendly relations for the generations to come,” the Latvian Foreign Minister underlined.

In the Estonian city of Valga, the Foreign Ministers took part in an event for the presentation of a report titled “Latvia-Estonia Cooperation: A New Turning Point?”. “Today’s visit to Valga and Valka is a prime example of the close cross-border cooperation between Latvia and Estonia. We presented the annual Languages Award in Valka, while the presentation of the Latvia-Estonia report is taking place in Valka. Latvia and Estonia, being friendly neighbouring countries, enjoy dynamic and multifaceted cooperation. Our countries are linked by common goals in foreign policy and practical contacts. Our close people-to-people contacts are even more important than political cooperation. The example of Valka and Valga excellently demonstrates that it is possible for two countries to work together as they share one and the same city, and to make better both the environment and the quality of life of its residents” Edgars Rinkēvičs underlined.

The Minister also said he was certain that in the new geopolitical environment it was of utmost importance to analyse the potential of Latvian-Estonian cooperation from a fresh perspective. Such information gives the opportunity not only to share best practice but also find new points of intersection to take cooperation between the two countries to a new level. Edgars Rinkēvičs also thanked the authors of the report, Jānis Eichmanis and Ragnar Kond, for their work invested in the analysis of relations between Latvia and Estonia.

Background information

Daila Ozola has translated the works of Estonian writers such as Edgar Valter, Mika Keränen, Indrek Koff, and Ilmar Tomusk.