From 27 August to 10 September, works from the visual arts' competition "Me in the European Union" for children and young people will be exhibited in the lobby of the Foreign Ministry building. On 9 November, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will present awards to the authors of the best works.

In the exhibited works, children and young people show their vision of Latvia in Europe. Young authors tell about the changes since Latvia has joined the European Union (EU), for example, EU investments in schools or in their parents' farms, as well as wide opportunities to study and to travel in Europe. In many works, young artists show their pride in Latvia, its spectacular nature, rich traditions and celebrations, and its capital Riga.

The exhibition features 42 award winning works by children and young people from all parts of Latvia: from Tukums district Cere municipality, Daugavpils, Jelgava, Koknese, Aizpute, Riga, Olaine, Rezekne, Jekabpils district Rubene municipality, Kuldiga district Edole municipality and Jelgava district Svete municipality.

On May 2009, the exhibition was shown in the Permanent Representation of Latvia to the European Union, where it was visited by the members of the Latvian community in Brussels and officials from other EU Member States and the EU institutions. They also chose the authors of the three best works: 14 year old Elvita Pole from Cere Secondary School, 9 year old Diana Leonova from Rezekne City Pupils' Interest Centre and 11 year old Ance Vilnite from O.Kalpaks Riga Applied Arts Elementary School.

The exhibition of works by the Latvian children and young people, "Me in the European Union", was organized as a result of a collaboration project. The project was implementated by the National Youth Initiative Centre of the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Permanent Representation of Latvia to the European Union in Brussels. The project is financially supported by the Representation of the European Commission to Latvia.

The exhibition is open for viewing until 10 September. Please register your visit with the Foreign Ministry Press and Public Relations Division by calling 67015984 (Elina Kreslina).

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