The Latvian Society of Philadelphia

06/17/2026

Jānis Chakars and Indra Ekmanis of the Foreign Policy Research Institute presented early findings from their survey of Baltic Americans regarding political perceptions and cultural engagement at the 30th Biennial Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Baltic Studies.

The survey is still open and completely anonymous if you wish to participate. Feel free to pass it along to others as well.

06/16/2026

Ir laiks atjaunot jūsu Biedrības gada maksu! Mums ir daudz vēl plānots šogad, ieskaitot projekti saistīti ar arhīvu, saviesīgās stundas, balles, Saeimas vēlēšana, un vēl! Ja ir kādi jautājumi, droši rakstiet uz [email protected]. Paldies un uz drīzu tikšanos!

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It’s time to renew your 2026 membership (or become a member)! We still have a lot of things planned for the rest of the year, including archive projects, happy hours, balls, Latvian elections, and more! If you have any questions, please write to [email protected]. Paldies and see you soon!

https://www.latviansociety.com/join

06/15/2026

The Latvian Society is saddened by the passing of Dito van Reigersberg, aka Martha Graham Cracker. Vieglas smiltis.

Dito graced our theater stage many times and his performance of Hedwig brought new life to our theater and his role in Pig Iron Theater’s Chekov Lizardbrain was a standout in our early days of sharing our space with the Philadelphia theater community.

A co-founder of Pig Iron Theater Company, known for its surreal productions, he also gave energetic performances as his alter ego, Martha Graham Cracker.

06/12/2026

🌿 TRADICIONĀLIE JĀŅI PRIEDAINĒ 🌿
🌿 TRADITIONAL JĀŅI AT PRIEDAINE 🌿

📅 20. JŪNIJS / JUNE 20
🕒 Durvis atveras 3:00 PM / Doors open at 3:00 PM
🎭 Programma sākas 6:00 PM / Program starts at 6:00 PM

🔥 Ugunskurs / Bonfire
🎶 Folkloras kolektīvi / Folk Groups
🎵 Dziedāšana pie ugunskura / Campfire Singing
🎤 Brīvais mikrofons / Open Mic
🌭 Garšīgs ēdiens / Delicious Food
🍺 Auksts alus / Cold Beer
🧺 Latviešu amatnieku tirdziņš / Latvian Crafts Market
🌼 Tradīcijas, dejas un Līgo noskaņa / Traditions, Dancing & Līgo Spirit

💃 Tautas deju programma ar:
• Ņujorkas TDK "Jumalīte"
• Ņujorkas VPDK "Jumis"
• Filadelfijas "Dzirkstele"
• "Mazais Jumis"
• "Zagītis"

🎸 Ņem līdzi savu instrumentu un pievienojies kopīgai muzicēšanai!
🎸 Bring your instrument and join the music!

🎵 Dziedāsim kopā pie ugunskura līdz pat saullēktam!
🎵 Sing together by the bonfire into the night!

🧖 Iespējams, ka būs pieejama arī tradicionālā latviešu pirts!
🧖 A traditional Latvian sauna may also be available!

💚 Izbaudi īstu Jāņu noskaņu kopā ar draugiem un ģimeni!
💚 Enjoy the true Jāņi atmosphere with friends and family!

🎟️ IEEJAS MAKSA / ADMISSION

• Ieejas maksa / General Admission — $50
• ŅLB biedriem un pensionāriem / NJLS Members & Seniors — $35
• Uzrādot studenta ID / With Student ID — $25
• No 15 līdz 18 gadiem / Ages 15–18 — $20
• Bērniem līdz 15 gadiem / Children Under 15 — FREE

⛺ Telts vieta / Tent Site — $30 par nakti / per night

🌲 Viesi ir aicināti ierasties agrāk nedēļas laikā un pavadīt vairākas dienas Priedainē.
🌲 Guests are welcome to arrive earlier during the week and enjoy several days at Priedaine.

🎁 Pērc biļetes iepriekš vietnē [www.priedaine.com](http://www.priedaine.com) un saņem pārsteiguma dāvanu Jāņos!
🎁 Buy tickets in advance at [www.priedaine.com](http://www.priedaine.com) and receive a surprise gift at Jāņi!

🧺 Tirgotāji vēl gaidīti!
🧺 Vendors still welcome!

📧 Tirgotāju pieteikumi un rezervācijas:
[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

📍 1017 State Route 33, Freehold, NJ 07728
📞 732-462-5110
🌐 [www.priedaine.com](http://www.priedaine.com)

✨ LĪGO! LĪGO! ✨

✨ LĪGO! LĪGO! ✨

06/11/2026

Jānis Chakars and Pēteris Dajevskis gave presentations about the Latvian Society of Philadelphia at the 30th Biennial Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Baltic Studies.

Pēteris screened a film he produced with Māra Pelēcis titled 'The Early Latvians of Philadelphia: Seeking New Beginnings, 1890-1940.' The film was supported by a grant from AABS.

Panelists also included Mārtiņš Andersons, president of American Latvian Association, and Karl Altau, director of the Joint Baltic American National Council JBANC.

Māra Pelēcis is featured with the panel in the group photo.

06/10/2026

06/09/2026

A spectacular day at the Hunterdon County World Fair - Presented by Descendants Brewing Company in Milford, NJ! The Latvian Society was honored to be part of the festivities again! Jāņi was the theme at our booth and visitors tried on vainagi while learning about Latvian midsummer traditions.

The Kalmyk delegation stopped by our booth and they were impressed that our very own Melissa had visited their homeland. They remarked that Latvians and Kalmyks had the shared experience of being deported to Siberia by Stalin.

06/06/2026

Stop by our booth today!

06/03/2026

Stop by the Latvian Society's booth at the Hunterdon County World Fair in Milford, NJ!
Saturday, June 6th
12-6pm
Cultural performances, activities, and international cuisine!
www.hunterdoncountyworldfair.org