Nearly one thousand euros raised at the charity event and presentation of the social photography project “I Am Your Friend”

Last weekend, a charity event dedicated to abandoned animals took place on the terrace of the “Just” club, featuring a presentation of the social photography project “I Am Your Friend”. Twelve well-known public figures from various fields took part, together with their pets. The 712.73 euros raised during the event will be donated to support the Tukums Animal Shelter.

Upon arriving at the event, every guest could purchase a heart-shaped gingerbread cookie from Tortes Fabrika in exchange for a donation, helping animals without owners or homes. Guests could also purchase lottery tickets and later win one of the valuable prizes. The lottery offered various invitations, gift cards, chocolates, brooches, earrings and much more. During the evening, an auction of various items was also held, with guests bidding for clothing from the brands “Disegno EK” and “Dress and Code”, flowers, a necklace by the “Soulstones by Agnese Zeltiņa” brand, a T-shirt by the “Basque” brand, a “Made with Love” bunny, several paintings, a hair accessory from the “Koroleva” brand, boxes containing Riga air, and many other items.

During the evening, singers Rūta Dūduma, Sabīne Berezina and Laura Raila, as well as singing actress Vita Baļčunaite, took the stage. All the women dedicated songs to the animals and thanked the event’s visitors for their support. The event was hosted by the duo Alekss Silvērs and Liera Štein. Liera and Alekss not only took on the role of hosts, but are also the authors of the project idea and the event’s organisers. The social photography project was created by photographer Dmitrijs Makarovs, who developed a special concept for each participant. The photographer’s creative thinking, artistic approach and individual style made it possible to fully achieve the aim of the photography project and encourage people to reflect on the fate of abandoned animals. The characters were created by a professional beauty team: make-up artist Jeļena Dubakova and hairstylist Marija Stukāne. The photography project was created in cooperation with the “Basque” clothing brand and took place at the Osy.lv photo studio.

During the photo sessions, two photographs were created for each project participant: one showing life without a pet—grey and meaningless—and another showing genuine emotions and love, as well as how life gains colour when a pet enters the home.

The project participants—TV presenter and beauty pageant organiser Kristīne Lindenblante, plus-size model Tatjana Mackeviča, businesswoman Svetlana Leva, fashion blogger Deniss Ševeļovs, dancer Rolands Šteinbergs, singers Rūta Dūduma, Laura Raila and Sabīne Berezina, chef Eduards Vandenbergs, “Just” club manager Raimonda, television personality Lelde Lietaviete, and singer Liera Štein—presented their photographs and spoke about the feelings that overcame them during the project.

The aim of the project is to draw people’s attention to abandoned animals that are unwanted by anyone, as they greatly need our help and support—not only in finding new homes, but also with something as basic as food.

The participants in the photography project were greeted with a particularly pleasant surprise in the evening. “I Am Your Friend” photographer Dmitrijs Makarovs presented each model with one of the project photographs, produced by Unicorn.lv, while the event organisers gave the project participants delicious gifts from “Labas Garšas Tirgotava” and “Sēta”. The other photograph from the project will be on display for another month at the “La Folie” restaurant, where a donation box will also be placed. Anyone who wishes will be able to support the residents of the Tukums Animal Shelter.

Don’t be indifferent—be a friend!

Project team: Liera Štein, Alekss Silvērs, Dmitrijs Makarovs, Jeļena Dubakova, Marija Stukāne.

The project was supported by: JUST, Basque, Osy.lv, Sejas.lv, beGENTEELroom, Tortes Fabrika, Labas Garšas Tirgotava, Sēta, cveti.lv, bloombox.lv, LaPhoto, Irina Perepelica, Disegno EK, Dress and Code, Vlada Koroleva, Jeļena Tonova, Jekaterina Starzinska, Eleonora Ruzvelt, Irina Kričalo, Kabinetto Mosaic Studio, Soulstones by Agnese Zeltina, Made with Love, DK Dance, Stein Studio, Anzelina Romanovica, Fit20, Hotel Daina, Salons Delor, Dental Art, Felicita, Marina Potjomkina, Regina M Art, Soffka, Lucky Chameleon, Ilona Sagova, Ziedu Sēta, Nella Gems, Aleksandra Pimenova, Svetlana Ohramenko, Ina Cimosko, Irina Beinarovica and Coctail.lv, Jadore de Luxe, EFL Fashion, Janin Studio, Unikorn.lv, Ella Bacharova, Art Fabric, La Follie, LG, Radio Baltcom, SWH+, LR4, Focuss TV, Chaula TV.