Forty students from twenty-eight Latvian schools awarded in the competition on the significance of equality and responsibility, devoted to the Constitution of Latvia
On Monday, 15 February, to mark 99 years since the adoption of the Satversme of the Republic of Latvia (the Constitution), an online ceremony was held to award the prize winners in the drawings and essay competition organised by the Constitutional Court. Awards and the special prizes of the cooperation partners were presented to 40 students from 28 schools, covering all regions of Latvia.
The ceremony was opened by the President of the Constitutional Court Sanita Osipova. The prize winners of the school students’ competition and their teachers were addressed by the justices of the Constitutional Court. Participating in the awards ceremony were also the Minister for Education and Science Ilga Šuplinska, the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Justice Andris Vītols, the Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Culture Uldis Zariņš, as well as the cooperation partners of the school students’ competition organised by the Court.
Congratulating the participants in the event on the 99th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution, Sanita Osipova stressed:
“Satversme is one of the oldest constitutions in Europe. It is the soul of our nation, of our homeland.”
The President of the Constitutional Court thanked the competition participants, their teachers, all those who had been evaluating the works, as well as the cooperation partners. She called for thinking about the competition topics – equality and responsibility – also in day-to-day life, so that all together we could build a state where everyone would feel good.
The Minister for Education and Science Ilga Šuplinska invited the participants in the ceremony to appreciate the values around them. She encouraged everyone to think freely, to be free in spirit and free in one’s works, but most important – to be jointly responsible. In her address to the competition participants, the Minister emphasised:“The extent to which we take responsibility for our actions, the extent to which we teach, set the example, inspire young people, is the pillar for the future, growth, and power of our state.”
The Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Justice Andris Vītols stressed in his address that the Constitution granted us many rights, but those rights had to be used responsibly, without forgetting about the rights of fellow humans and the common values of society. He said:
“The Constitution is the foundation of our state, it contains the values that live on through time. Adopted almost a century ago, it is still able to adjust to the changing conditions, showing our country the direction to follow. The more we rest on the values enshrined in the Constitution, the more we as a state will be able to achieve and give to every member of society.”
The participants in the awards ceremony were also addressed by the Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Culture Uldis Zariņš, who emphasised that Latvia had a constitution based on democratic legal values, but it was Latvian residents who needed to help those values manifest in the life of the Latvian state and society.
“The competition makes one look not only into the Constitution, but also into oneself. What kind of a person, and what kind of a citizen of my country am I? How do I and my schoolmates exercise in our life the rights granted to us by the Constitution – can we see and balance them with the rights of our fellow humans?”, said Uldis Zariņš, encouraging those present to reflect.
The prize winners of the drawing competition for 6th grade students were addressed by the Constitutional Court Justice Jānis Neimanis. Justice Neimanis invited the school students to think about how the principle of equality expressed itself in their lives. He noted that the justices of the Constitutional Court, too, clarified the content of the principles of equality and justice in each particular case.
“The principle of equality permeates our everyday life. For instance, a school student expects that her or his performance in class or test will be assessed fairly, based on equal standards. It is important that school is a safe place for pupils to study and spend their time, without interference and discrimination,” said Justice Neimanis.
The prize winners of the essay competition for 9th grade students were congratulated by the Vice President of the Constitutional Court Aldis Laviņš. Justice Laviņš was pleased to highlight that, in their works, the school students had accentuated developing an attitude of respect towards others as one of the most important values.
“Already now, the students have a perception of the world in which a person next to them deserves equal treatment. The other person is not perceived as being either superior or inferior to oneself,” stressed the Vice President of the Court.
Finally, the prize winners of the essay competition for 12th grade students were addressed by the Constitutional Court Justice Gunārs Kusiņš. In his address, he pointed out how important it was in one’s life to be able to create a convincing, well-reasoned text. He noted with delight that the essays attested to the students’ ability to express their thoughts concisely, and to approach analytically the complex topic of responsibility. The Justice encouraged the young people to think about the future and stressed:
“Only you and your efforts determine how well you will build up the sentences that are intended to open the doors you want to be opened.”
The Constitutional Court Justice Daiga Rezevska thanked the award winners’ teachers for the support they had provided and the time they had devoted to inspiring the students while they were creating their works. She emphasised that the students’ achievements were, to a large extent, their teachers’ merit.
“A teacher is reflected in her/his students and their works. None of us would be the way we are without the reflection of our teachers in us,” said Daiga Rezevska in her thank-you address.
The cooperation partners of the competition, too, greeted the winners of their prizes during the awards ceremony.
For the first time in the history of the school students’ competition, the Court of Justice of the European Union (the CJEU) had taken part in evaluating the works. The CJEU judge Ineta Ziemele pointed out as an especially heartening fact that the Constitutional Court could bring this competition into every region of Latvia, and to reach out also over the Latvian borders. In her speech, Justice Ziemele highlighted the important values that permeated the essay by Anna Elizabete Ķēniņa – the winner of her special prize. She accentuated the role of the Latvian language and every resident’s civic engagement in the development of Latvia.
The great-granddaughter of the first President of Latvia Jānis Čakste Kristīne Čakste said that evaluating the school students’ drawings and essays had made her look ahead to the future with great hopes. She emphasised that the young people should continue their education, go on studying the Constitution, and, in spite of any difficulties, plan their future and follow their dreams.
The Rector of the Art Academy of Latvia Kristaps Zariņš greeted the award winners and noted that an understanding of the Constitution and the fundamental human rights came from childhood, when those are talked about in the family, when children, together with their parents, learn to express themselves creatively, and visit museums. He welcomed the fact that the Constitutional Court was giving young people an opportunity to have their drawings seen and to express their thoughts.
The Editor-in-Chief of Jurista Vārds journal Dina Gailīte said that the students’ work gave a fresh perspective on the young people’s mindset and their understanding of the Constitution. This year, too, the works chosen by the editorial staff will be published in the issue dedicated to the anniversary of the Constitution. She was pleased to say that the works communicated an inclusive, up-to-date and modern view on the fundamental rights, which inspired well-founded hopes for the bright future of Latvia and its Constitution.
In her speech, the Editor-in-Chief of Domuzīme magazine Rudīte Kalpiņa encouraged reflection on the significant role of the media in the development of Latvia and underscored the enduring value of a printed periodical. She also accentuated the need for everyone to work on perfecting one’s language. Presenting seven schools with annual subscriptions to the magazine, she expressed her confidence that this prize would come in useful both to the students at senior school and to the teachers, who are most important in shaping the future of Latvia.
Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Ilustrētā Junioriem magazine Madara Pauzere named the winners of the magazine’s special prize and said that the works sent in confirmed: Latvia has wonderful and creative young people.
Director of the Public Law Institute Arvīds Dravnieks, after presenting the special prizes, gave the young people another piece of good news – an invitation to take part in the discussion “Why do I write?”, to be held as part of the anticipated conversation festival LAMPA. The winners of the special prizes in the essay competition, as well as their teachers, were also invited to attend the annual Seminar on Constitutional Law Policy, which is likely to take place at the end of July this year.
Watch the video about the 4th school students’ drawing and essay competition organised by the Constitutional Court: https://youtu.be/vktruICDgLA
Photo: Screenshot from the ceremony.
The competition of students’ creative work about the Satversme of 2020:
The prize winners of the school students’ drawing and essay competition
The winners of the drawing competition for 6th grade students “All children are equal in their rights” are:
1st place – Zasa Secondary School student Raivo Mikušāns. Teacher – Inese Kalniškāne.
2nd place – Zasa Secondary School student Sindija Minalto. Teacher – Inese Kalniškāne.
3rd place – student at Talsi Secondary School No 2 Keita Lība Andiņa. Teacher – Zane Bodniece.
3rd place – student at Ludza Secondary School No 2 Dana Streļcova. Teacher – Irīna Martjukova.
The recipients of the certificates of merit in the drawing competition for 6th grade students “All children are equal in their rights” are:
Bauska City Lower Secondary School student Nikola Šikova. Teacher – Daiga Sējēja.
Uzvara Lower Secondary School student Sanija Kavaļauska. Teacher – Daiga Sējēja.
Liepāja Centre Primary School student Daniela Tetere. Teacher – Agnese Kundziņa.
Pilda Lower Secondary School student Anastasija Jankovska. Teacher – Ineta Zvonņikova.
Student at the Private Secondary School INNOVA Tatjana Barčevska. Teacher – Anastasija Fostiropulo.
Rožupe Lower Secondary School student Nadežda Sidorova. Teacher – Līga Bernāne.
Straupe Lower Secondary School student Renārs Ruža. Teachers – Iveta Adamsone, Daiga Kreituze.
Student at Ventspils Secondary School No 4 Grieta Kornijanova. Teacher – Madara Lilienfelde.
Viesīte Secondary School student Reinis Rugainis. Teacher – Sarmīte Ratiņa.
Student at Atis Kronvalds Durbe Lower Secondary School Gerda Marija Linde. Teacher – Inga Lankupa.
Student at Rēzekne Secondary School No 3 Kamilla Olenoviča. Teacher – Jekaterina Borisovska-Cvetkova.
The winners of the essay competition for 9th grade students “How can I help my family and schoolmates to exercise their equal rights? are:
1st place – student at Ventspils Secondary School No 4 Undīne Ērkšķe. Teacher – Inga Ozoliņa.
2nd place – student at Ludza Secondary School No 2 Viola Ivanova. Teacher – Ilga Šļubčenko.
3rd place – student at Krāslava Secondary School Varavīksne Nikola Lebedeva. Teacher – Valentīna Purpiša.
The recipients of the certificates of merit in the essay competition for 9th grade students “How can I help my family and schoolmates to exercise their equal rights?” are:
Riebiņi Secondary School student Viktorija Nagle. Teacher – Diāna Bravacka.
Student at Talsi Secondary School No 2 Edvards Ošiņš. Teacher – Zane Bodniece.
The winners of the essay competition for 12th grade students “How does the Constitution help me develop into a responsible Latvian citizen?” are:
1st place – student at Jelgava Spīdola State Gymnasium Roberts Ralfs Vārslavs. Teacher – Gunita Smiltāne.
2nd place – student at Jelgava Spīdola State Gymnasium Evelīna Līna Ņikiforova. Teacher – Gunita Smiltāne.
3rd place – student at Vidzeme Technology and Design Technical School Kaspars Krēvics. Teacher – Marija Grīnberga.
The recipients of the certificates of merit in the essay competition for 12th grade students “How does the Constitution help me develop into a responsible Latvian citizen?” are:
Student at Jelgava Spīdola State Gymnasium Arleta Apsīte. Teacher – Gunita Smiltāne.
Student at Jelgava Spīdola State Gymnasium Laura Kaņepone. Teacher – Gunita Smiltāne.
Student at Salaspils Secondary School No 1 Laura Mišela Ilsjāne. Teacher – Daina Tauriņa.
The special prize of the former President of the Constitutional Court, judge of the Court of Justice of the European Union Ineta Ziemele in the essay competition for 12th grade students “How does the Constitution help me develop into a responsible Latvian citizen?” has been awarded to:
student at the Friendly Appeal Liepāja Secondary School No 5 Anna Elizabete Ķēniņa. Teacher – Agnis Timermanis.
The special prizes of the great-granddaughter of the first President of Latvia Jānis Čakste Kristīna Čakste have been awarded to:
Bauska City Lower Secondary School student Nikola Šikova. Teacher – Daiga Sējēja.
Madliena Secondary School Student Elīza Rasma Bičevska. Teacher – Ligita Ridūze.
The special prize of the Art Academy of Latvia in the drawing competition “All children are equal in their rights” has been awarded to:
Ludza City Gymnasium student Loreta Leščinska. Teacher – Ineta Zvonņikova.
The recipients of the certificates of merit from the Art Academy of Latvia are:
Krāslava State Gymnasium student Anna Umbraško. Teacher – Dzintra Rateniece.
Rencēni Lower Secondary School student Karlīna Andželika Žavoronkova. Teacher – Ilona Mežinska.
Stende Lower Secondary School student Dāvis Grīslis. Teacher – Dace Kalmane.
Zante Lower Secondary School student Kārlis Cinkuss. Teacher – Elita Ose.
The special prize of Ilustrētā Junioriem magazine in the drawing competition “All children are equal in their rights” has been awarded to:
Āgenskalns Primary School student Madara Šidlovska. Teacher – Iveta Cimare.
The magazine’s special prizes have also been awarded to all the winners of the three top places in the drawing competition “All children are equal in their rights”.
The special prizes of the editorial staff of Jurista Vārds journal have been awarded to:
Madliena Secondary School student Ieva Kleinberga. Teacher – Anita Jākobsone.
Student at the Private Secondary School INNOVA Tatjana Barčevska. Teacher – Anastasija Fostiropulo.
Student at Atis Kronvalds Durbe Lower Secondary School Evelīna Bļizņeca. Teacher – Inga Lankupa.
Student at Ludza Secondary School No 2 Viola Ivanova. Teacher – Ilga Šļubčenko.
Riebiņi Secondary School student Lāsma Jurkāne. Teacher – Diāna Bravacka.
Student at Jelgava Spīdola State Gymnasium Laura Kaņepone. Teacher – Gunita Smiltāne.
Student at Vidzeme Technology and Design Technical School Kaspars Krēvics. Teacher – Marija Grīnberga.
The special prizes of Domuzīme magazine’s editorial staff have been awarded to all the schools whose students won the top places.
The special prizes of the Director of Public Law Institute Arvīds Dravnieks have been awarded to:
Zante Lower Secondary School student Dārta Cinkuse. Teacher – Elita Ose.
Madliena Secondary School student Raivo Grecs. Teacher – Anita Jākobsone.
Naujene Lower Secondary School student Erita Litvinska. Teacher – Sandra Kokina.
Student at Jelgava Spīdola State Gymnasium Roberts Ralfs Vārslavs. Teacher – Gunita Smiltāne.
Student at Vidzeme Technology and Design Technical School Kaspars Krēvics. Teacher – Marija Grīnberga.
Student at Jelgava Spīdola State Gymnasium Arleta Apsīte. Teacher – Gunita Smiltāne.
Student at Jelgava Spīdola State Gymnasium Evelīna Līna Ņikiforova. Teacher – Gunita Smiltāne.
The works of the awardees can be viewed here.
About the school students’ drawing and essay competition
The Constitutional Court announced the competition of creative works for the first time in September 2017. Over the period of four years, the Constitutional Court received more than 1100 students’ drawings and essays about the Constitution as part of this initiative. The creative works reflect the students’ vision of themselves in Latvia – today and in the future.
The aim of the competition is to promote the school students’ loyalty to Latvia and their confidence in the Constitution, as well as to strengthen their statehood awareness and encourage them to participate in the processes that are taking place in the state. With the help of this competition, the Constitutional Court wishes to promote the school students’ interest in and understanding of the Constitution and its importance, as well as to improve their knowledge of the fundamental values of Latvia as a democratic rule-of-law state, to acquaint them with the Constitutional Court, explaining its role in democratic society.