Latvian cultural institutions are facing strict directives to remove the Russian language from public communication in government-funded projects. Minister of Culture Nauris Puntulis has ordered the exclusion of Russian from public communication of institutions under the Ministry of Culture, a move that impacts various integration initiatives funded by the Fund for Asylum, Migration and Integration (PMIF).
Which projects are affected by the language directive?
The Ministry of Culture, through Parliamentary Secretary Ivars Abolins, has flagged several projects for review that previously included Russian as an intermediary language. These include the “Cultural Bridges: From the Foreign to the Familiar” project by the “Cooperation Platform” society, which received 84,600 euros, and the Riga Circus “Social Circus” project, which was allocated 99,023 euros and included provisions for Russian-language communication.
Other organizations have reported receiving official letters from the ministry in late June. Martins Mielavs, project manager for the “Villa von Strika” society, confirmed receiving a directive on June 25 to not use the Russian language, though he noted his project already conducted communication exclusively in English. Similarly, the “I Want to Help Refugees” society, which received 99,954 euros for a cultural diversity festival, stated that its planning never included Russian, focusing instead on English, Ukrainian, Arabic, and French.
The Latvian Center for Contemporary Art (LLMC) clarified that while it previously reissued a comic titled “Latvia — Step by Step” in Russian in 2022, its new 2026 project will not include a Russian-language version, opting instead for Latvian, English, and Ukrainian.
Why is the government restricting these languages?
According to Parliamentary Secretary Ivars Abolins, projects initiated under former Minister of Culture Agnes Lace that promote the use of the Russian language cannot continue. The ministry maintains that the use of the Russian language in PMIF projects is not permitted. This policy shift is intended to align institutional communication with the current administration’s stance on state-funded integration efforts.
The shift represents a tightening of administrative control over integration funding. By targeting specific projects and requiring the removal of Russian as an intermediary language, the Ministry of Culture is effectively redefining the operational parameters for organizations that serve third-country nationals, prioritizing state-approved linguistic frameworks over the previous, more flexible multilingual approaches.
What happens next for the integration projects?
Organizations currently under the ministry’s oversight are now required to ensure their documentation and public communication strictly adhere to the new language requirements. Projects that previously indicated Russian as an intermediary language will likely need to adjust their communication strategies to remain eligible for funding. For organizations like the LLMC, which had already planned projects in other languages, the directive serves as a formal confirmation of the ministry’s requirements rather than a change in their immediate operational plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all Russian-language materials being banned in Latvia?
The directive specifically applies to public communication and project documentation within institutions and initiatives under the Ministry of Culture, particularly those funded by the PMIF.
Did the Ministry of Culture stop funding for all projects that previously used Russian?
No. The ministry has issued directives to exclude the Russian language, requiring project managers to adjust their communication plans. Some organizations, such as the “I Want to Help Refugees” society and the LLMC, reported that their projects did not require changes because they were already using other languages.
Why was the Latvian Center for Contemporary Art (LLMC) mentioned in the discussion?
The ministry cited the LLMC’s “Appendix — A Look at Neighboring Layers” project, alleging it planned to publish comics in Russian. The organization’s director, Solvita Krese, clarified that this was a misunderstanding and confirmed the project uses only Latvian, English, and Ukrainian.
How will these language restrictions affect the daily integration process for non-Latvian speakers in the country?