DIALOGUE

Diplomat · Parliamentarian · Writer

The Art
of
Dialogue

A lifetime dedicated to explaining Latvia to the world — through diplomacy, writing, and an unwavering belief in the power of dialogue.

Ojārs Ēriks Kalniņš (1949–2021)

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1949

The Story

Explaining
Latvia

Born in Munich in 1949, raised in Chicago, Ojārs Kalniņš spent a lifetime bridging two worlds. From the moment he first uttered his Latvian name to American classmates, he understood his mission — to explain a country most had never heard of.

That mission carried him from writing satirical newsletters in the spirit of the National Lampoon, to the halls of the U.S. Congress, to the podium of the U.N. General Assembly, and finally to Latvia's own Parliament — always explaining, always advocating.

"When the truth isn't enough."
— L.I.P.S. Newsletter Motto

From advertising copywriter in Chicago to Ambassador, Director of the Latvian Institute, and Chairman of Latvia's Foreign Affairs Committee — a career spanning continents and decades.

Writings &
Reflections

2020

Latvia’s Concentric Circles of Foreign Policy Interests

The ArtofDialogue

ExplainingLatvia

Writings &Reflections

It’s Time to Rename Artificial Intelligence

Is Globalized Electioneering the New Normal?

The Joy of Being Kindled and Spotified

Globalism vs Nationalism?

Why deviants of the world will never unite

I am gonna study war some more.

Latvia’s pride of place, 97 years and counting

More than just a monument (2001)

What is Latvia for?

Latvia’s Concentric Circles of Foreign Policy Interests

A Foreign Country for 90 Years (Jan 2011)

The Ongoing Latvian Saga (Nov 2010)

Our Biggest Dreams (Nov 18, 2010)

World Humor Crisis Declared

Chopping wood, making politics (Oct 2010)

Tweeting for Votes in Latvia (Sept. 2010)

It’s the Economy… (Sept.2010)

L.I.P.S. gets PO ‘d!!!

L.I.P.S. Listens to the World (1980)

Come Again?!

The Wild Blue Yonder (Aug. 2010)

See It, Believe It (July 2010)

The Day the Sun Stands Still (June 2010)

Why the Land that Sings is Best Enjoyed Slowly (2010)

Exporting Success (2010)

Sometimes it grows on you (2010)

The day we re-declared our independence

To Be Continued [A Diplomatic Success Story] (2010)

A piece of diplomatic history at 17th and Webster (2010)

Where there’s a wall there’s a way (2009)

My 1989 (2009)

Half a Songwriter (Explaining songwriting)

Never Say Goodbye (1999)

The Returning (NATO Summit 2006)

My father’s saxophone (2000)

Globalisation shoes (2002)

Think of Me (1999)

No Man’s Land

Latvia’s 90th Anniversary Blogs 1-7

Vote For My Guys

Capitalizing on Riga (2009)

How to become a Latvian (2009)

There’s something about Riga

Town Without Grafitti (2004)

Of course, I can be happy too (2000)

The Meanings of May 9th (2010)

The meanings of March 16th (2010)

Brains, Birches and Song (2009)

Desegregating the Latvian school system (2004)

Social Solstice (Any June)

Give me the stuff of life (2001)

Our Daily Bread (2005)

Latvian 90th Anniversary Blogs 8 – 12

If there is a war (2003)

L.I.P.S. FAQ (1982?)

Latvian 90th Anniversary Blogs 13 – 16

Let’s sing of the rivers (2000)

Midsummer (2006)

Turn Again (Līgo) (2007)

Flower People (2001)

Telling Latvia’s Story (2000)

God’s Horses – Wild about the Latvian coast (2001)

Latvia’s Glaciers (2000)

A Viking Looks at Latvia Today (2006)

Awesome Entirety (2004)

A Man of Principles (2004)

I’m Grateful (2000)

L.I.P.S. – Tabula Rasa (1982)

L.I.P.S. – ASA Lecture Series (1981)

The Marching Song (1999)

The Faces in the Streets (2001)

An ancient culture that thrives on change (2005)

Buy the Lady a Beer (2001)

Māris Bišof’s Latvia (2004)

Auld Clootie (1976?)

Living on the edge (1999)

The Now (and then?) (2007)

The Art
of
Dialogue

Explaining
Latvia

Writings &
Reflections

Māris Bišof’s Latvia (2004)

Autobuss Debesīs – Kā gan tu nezināji

A Life in
Service

Ojārs Ēriks
Kalniņš