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Media release

My Baltic Sea 2015 campaign calls for action to restore the Baltic Sea

19 June 2015

The Baltic Sea is an integral part of the Latvian identity, but it is also the most polluted sea in the world. Therefore, from 26 May to 28 June the My Baltic Sea 2015 campaign is being organised along the whole of the Latvian coastline. Itsaim is to educate society about problems relating to the maritime environment in order to better understand what harm is being done and how the Baltic Sea can be restored.

During the My Baltic Sea 2015 campaign a group of people is walking from the village of Nida (on the Latvian-Lithuanian border) to the town of Ainaži (close to the Latvian-Estonian border). This is, however, not just a stroll – it is both a serious and exciting educational event.

Publicitātes foto

Firstly, it is a great opportunity to gain a deep and personal understanding of the fantastic and precious Latvian coast. Those taking part in the expedition are constantly surprised by the contrasts they discover in Latvian nature.

Secondly, on an almost daily basis the participants meet with experts who hold lectures on various issues connected with the sea. There have been talks on the culture of the Livonians or Livs (an ancient tribe with their own language who used to live in the North of Latvia) as well as lectures on the Baltic Sea climate and pollution. Given the importance of the feelgood factor for understanding what is being said, several of the events have taken place in an unusual form with the audience lying on the ground while lecturers speak about subjects close to their hearts.

Thirdly, each participant can personally explore the problems of sea pollution. Each day, the members of the expedition make a count of the different types of litter found on the beach in order to understand which pollution problems need to be solved most urgently.

During the expedition, those taking part are constantly close to nature. They spend their nights in tents listening to the sough of the sea. During the day, they take part in lectures and workshops on how to monitor litter. At weekends, the campaign visits coastal towns where public events – such as concerts and poetry nights – have been organised. On 20 June, for example, an open-air movie night will take place in Saulkrasti.

Registration and information about the campaign is available on the campaign's website www.manajura.lv. and via social media.

See you at the sea!