Due to the State of Emergency declared by the Cabinet of Ministers, the ESU Latvia National Finals planned for Saturday, April 4th have been cancelled until further notice.
Also, the ESU International Public Speaking Competition in London scheduled for 11-15 May has been cancelled.
We will keep you posted on any new developments regarding these competitions. In the meantime, please take care and stay healthy!
This year’s theme/topic is “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”
We are extending the registration deadline to January 31st. So, if you haven’t sent in your registration yet, there is still time to do so.
February 29th: Kurzeme/Zemgale/Vidzeme regional semi-finals, The National Library, JFK Reading Room, 3rd floor, Mūkusalas iela 3, Riga. Registration begins at 11:45, competition from 12:00-15:00 (approx.)
March 6th: Latgale regional semi-finals, held in Daugavpils, Saules iela 7, City Education dept., registration 11:45, competition 12:00 – 16:00 (approx.)
March 7th: Riga regional semi-finals, held in Riga State 1st gymnasium, Raiņa iela 8, registration 9:30, competition 10:00 – 15:00 (approx.)
April 4th: National Finals RTU Riga Business School, Skolas iela 11, Riga, registration 10:30, competition 11:00-15:00 (approx.)
May 11th-15th: International Public Speaking Competition (IPSC) in London
News about the ESU Workshop, held at the Rīgas Valsts 1. Ģimnāzija, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019.
The student who wins the Nationals in Latvia is sent to London and later in the year gives a workshop to the next group of participants. The winner of the Latvian 2019 ESU speech contest was Elza Zargevica. She was sent to London to attend the international ESU finals and lead this year’s workshop. During the workshop, Elza talked about the contest in London and the people she met from other countries. Then put the attendants of the workshop through some exercises to help them prepare for the competition here in Latvia. More than 30 students attended the Workshop.
The ESU of Latvia would like to thank teacher Irena Likopa for her time arranging the place and date of the workshop in Rīgas Valsts 1. Ģimnāzija and finding volunteers to run the equipment, arrange the room and register the students attending this event. Irena’s addition of the gingerbread cookies was a welcomed surprise and added to the enjoyment of the event.
Another thanks to the Rīgas Valsts 1. Ģimnāzija for granting the ESU the continued use of their auditorium and rooms each year.
Workshop – Saturday December 7 12:00 Rigas Valsts 1.Gimnazija, Raina Blv.8, there will be signs posted to guide you to the room the workshop will be held.
The workshop will be lead by the last years Nationals winner, who was sent to London, Elza Zorgevica! The Nationals winner of 2018, Rebeka Nagle will also be in attendance and may also be able take some questions.
The Workshop is gaining more and more in popularity as it is giving students some insight into our competition here and in London and what is really required. It will be of great help in preparing their speeches.
Opening remarks – Iveta Ivansone – ESU Latvia President
Moment of Silence in honor of former President Ruta Zadziorska
Judges:
Ms. Ieva Šmite – English Teacher and Deputy Principal; Riga Secondary school 49.
Mr. Craig Paterson – Secondary School Assistant Principal; International School of Riga
Mrs. Ingrida-Karina Berzina – Attorney at Law; lecturer SSE Riga – Graduate School of Law
Introductions/MC: Rebeka Nagle – Finalist 2018 IPSC Latvia
Finalists:
Elza Viktorija Zorgevica – Rīgas Angļu ģimnāzija- “To Kill Nature”
Annamarija Terēze Andersone – Rīgas Valsts 1.ģimnāzija- “The World Through the Lense of Languages”
Marks Stacevičs – Rīgas Klasiskā ģimnāzija- “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
Tomass Ruža – Rīgas Valsts 1.ģimnāzija- “World as a Conveyor”
Andris Aleksandrs Priedītis “Rīgas Valsts 1.ģimnāzija- “Flaws of Human Nature”
Undīne Maurīte – Valmieras Viestura vidusskola- “The Last Straw”
Voldemārs Veitners – Draudzīgā Aicinājuma Cēsu Valsts ģimnāzija- “Our Ability to Change Human Nature”
Valts Zvilna – Talsu 2. Vidusskola- “Nature is the God Itself/Himself”
Kristofers Buks – Jēkabpils Valsts ģimnāzija- “ Our Only Planet”
Alisa Turukova – Daugavpils Krievu vidusskola–licejs – “Ocean: Will We Swim or Drown?”
Samira Garajeva – Daugavpils 3.vidusskola- “Coming Back to Our Roots”
Anna Samsonova – Daugavpils 3.vidusskola- “Industry Perfect Body”
Ieva Taraškeviča – Daugavpils 9.vidusskola- “Language Learners”
Awards presented – Deputy Head of Mission Ms. Ruth Rajavejjabhisal from the British Embassy
1st place – Elza Viktorija Zorgevica – Rīgas Angļu ģimnāzija
2nd place – Undīne Maurīte- Valmieras Viestura vidusskola
3rd place – Andris Aleksandrs Priedītis- Rīgas Valsts 1.ģimnāzija
