Employees of the Latvian Red Cross Ilūkste Municipality Committee Met at the Traditional Afternoon of Gratitude

Current and former employees of the Daugavpils–Ilūkste Municipality Committee of the Latvian Red Cross Society (LRC), as well as its most active volunteers, met on 15 January at the traditional Afternoon of Gratitude to celebrate Latvia’s 101st anniversary.

The event took place at the Ilūkste Children and Youth Centre and began with a visit to an exhibition dedicated to the work of the LRC Daugavpils–Ilūkste Municipality Committee. After watching a presentation dedicated to the society’s centenary, the event’s participants learned about the movement of the society throughout the world and in Latvia. Throughout the centuries, the purpose of its work has remained unchanged—from 1863, when the legendary Swiss entrepreneur and public figure Jean Henri Dunant launched the international Red Cross movement, to the present day, when we, the employees and volunteers of the LRC, provide daily assistance to people in need.

Retired and, one might say, legendary head of the LRC Daugavpils–Ilūkste Municipality Committee, Skaidrīte Davne, shared memories of her own half-century of work in the society and that of her fellow volunteers. Everyone present encouraged Ms Davne to write her memoirs so that future generations could draw inspiration for their work in the Red Cross. Ingūna Svarāne, head of the Social Service, thanked all LRC enthusiasts for their responsiveness and understanding.

A tangle of memories was unravelled in interesting conversations around a table laden with homemade treats. Songs were sung and good wishes expressed for the committee’s future work.

Thanks for helping organise the event go to Rita Žagata, Lorija Kaminska, Alvīne Formanicka, Vanda Rimša, and the employees of the Ilūkste Children and Youth Centre.