Festive Table
NOVEMBER 2025
Ladies' Committees Canapes
In November, all across Latvia, as well as in Latvian homes, cultural centers, and church halls abroad, Latvian communities warmly celebrate November 18, the founding day of Latvia. For the diaspora, this day becomes a moment to come together, enjoy festive concerts, recite poetry, share stories, and, of course, savor a delicious, carefully prepared holiday feast.
A richly set table is an indispensable part of these celebrations. It is prepared in various ways – sometimes participants arrive with baskets of their own homemade treats, including savory and sweet snacks, Latvian canapes, curd or apple pies, Russian-style salads, and other dishes. Other times, the tables are arranged by hostesses – dedicated and warm-hearted women’s groups, such as church or Latvian society committees, who, in addition to other responsibilities, take care of the event’s decorations and food. These women, often working behind the scenes, are nonetheless the cornerstone of these events, bringing warmth, order, and the true taste of the holidays to Latvian communities abroad.
Video in Latvian, with subtitles in English
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Festive table NOVEMBER 2025 The house smells of smoked meats and rasols for days afterwards! (Laila Rudzone) Germany On the holiday table at home, there’s always rosolīts (potato salad). Every year we agree that this time we’ll make a bit less of it, but somehow it always ends up being a big bowl — and it’s always eaten to the last bite. Sometimes we roast chicken or carp...
My family left Latvia in 1944, and settled in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, in 1950 and I was born here. At this pre-Christmas time of year I think back, with nostalgia, to the once-a-year feast of Latvian specialties of my childhood. My brother and I had birthdays either side of Christmas Day, so there was always a huge family and friends party at our house then. The anticipation and...
…In our home, 2–3 days beforehand we were already preparing all kinds of dishes. Sometimes, at our house, we ate three times: everyone gathered for dinner around six o’clock and ate the hot meal; then afterwards, the men went off to play cards, the women washed the dishes, and then there was the coffee table; and around two or three in the morning, my mother set out the...
Ingrīda Hawke describes the Latvian canapes she prepares for festive tables in Melbourne, Australia: classic radish canapes with cottage cheese, salmon with a slice of lemon, ham with mustard …
Dace Gulbe and Inta Grunde have been preparing and setting festive tables for Latvians on the East Coast of the United States for about 20 years with Amber catering company.They talk about the most popular foods they make (pīrāgi!), about their cooking process, and also share their experience of how it was recently when the President visited Priedaine and they prepared the food for the event.
This gallery features photographs of festive tables from Latvian communities in different countries and periods.
In Latvian communities outside Latvia, it is customary to offer a plentiful table at festive events. The food is prepared in various ways — participants may bring baskets with homemade treats, or a ladies’ committee may take responsibility for setting the table. For private celebrations, Latvian catering companies often prepare the food.
Inta Šķiņķis hosted a birthday party with a Ladies' Committee canapé theme! She invited everyone to revisit childhood memories and bring a plate of Ladies’ Committee canapés in two categories: traditional Ladies’ Committee canapés and modern interpretations in a global style. The event also included a competition, awards were given for best traditional canapé, best modern interpretation, best taste, and best appearance.
A richly set table is an indispensable part of these celebrations. It is prepared in various ways – sometimes participants arrive with baskets of their own homemade treats, including savory and sweet snacks, decorative “pretty buns,” curd or apple pies, Russian-style salads, and other dishes. Other times, the tables are arranged by the hosts – dedicated and warm-hearted women’s groups, such as church or Latvian society committees, who,...
Ingrīda Hawke sets tables for the Australian Latvian community — for weddings, funerals, and anniversaries. In this interview excerpt, she describes her own festive table creations: one of the main elements is often a salmon, baked in such a way that it looks as if it’s swimming!