Jūrmala Latvian Society
23.12.2015
The Jūrmala Latvian Society was founded in 1935, uniting several Societies. The Jūrmala Latvian Society was renewed in 1990 and registered in 1994. The main working directions of the Jūrmala Latvian Society are cooperation with the Latvian Societies abroad, organising of charity events, children summer camps, culture events and Latvian traditions and visiting of Latvias regions.
The Jūrmala Latvian Society is a member of the Union of the Latvian Societies. The Board consisting of 7 people manages the Society. The Board is elected to 4 years. The Chairwoman of the Jūrmala Latvian Society since 2001 is Gunta Liepiņa.
History
The beginnings of the Jūrmala Latvian Society are found in 1882, when the group of the local prosperous citizens founded Majori Dubulti Charity Society on March 7 with an aim that was written in the first Societys protocol: how we can give some help and good works to Latvians. The first Societys Chairman was J.Zommers. On July10, 1882 the Society decided to build Majori Dubulti Charity Society house one of the first stone buildings in Majori. It was decided that school, would work in the Societys building. The Majori Dubulti Charity Society was the only from that time organisations that decided to build not the Society house, but the school. The school is still working there. In 1899 the school was enlarged and the event hall was built in the upper floor, where all Latvians could gather. The Society had its choir, theatre group, art section and library. In 1883 the Ladies Committee was established that helped to earn money with its active work to the Society. The World War I and the evacuation of citizens stopped the Societys work in 1915.
On April 30, 1935 several Jūrmala citizen organisations united and established the Jūrmala Latvian Society. These were MajoriDubulti Charity Society, Riga-Jūrmala Society of Summer Cottage Owners and Riga-Jūrmala Sports Society. One of the established Jūrmala Latvian Society working directions was the lifting of the cultural life, that is why the Society decided to organise courses, lectures, exhibitions, museums, excursions and useful leisure events, as well as to organise choirs and orchestras. Since 1938 the Society has its own flag. In 1940 the Soviet Regime stopped the work of the Society.
On March 21, 1990 Jūrmala cultural workers suggested to renew the Society during the meeting. The Societys founding and renewing meeting took place in Rainis and Aspazija Summer Cottage. The renewed Jūrmala Latvian Society resumed its work under the leadership of the guide Guna Puriņa. In the course of time the senior members of the Society, who themselves or their parents had been members of the Society until 1940, joined the organisations work. On June 1, 1994 the Society was registered in the Ministry of Justice. In 1995 the Jūrmala Court acknowledged the renewed Society as the successor of the Jūrmala Latvian Society founded in 1935, however, it did not resume the Societys ownership to its historic building.
After serious researches in the State Archive the Society found materials about its flag and members badge. In 1997 the resumed Jūrmala Latvian Societys flag was consecrated in Dubulti Church. Activities
The Jūrmala Latvian Society is an active member of the Union of the Latvian Societies; the organisation has organised large Latvian Societies gatherings for several times. The Society has organised several important competitions for pupils, it celebrates State and annual events, anniversaries of Latvian cultural workers Jūrmala citizens, studies and popularises its history, organises children summer camps, concerts, excursions, cooperates with other Jūrmala non-governmental organisations and participate in international projects. The Jūrmala Latvian Society Ladies Committee is actively working. 
Contacts
Address:
Jūrmala Latvian Society, Rīgas Street 3, Jūrmala, LV-2015
Gunta Liepiņa, Jūrmala Latvian Society Chairwoman
E-mail: gunta.liepina@jpd.gov.lv
Phone: +371 29404230
Home page:
www.latvisubiedribas.lv
