Latvia Prepares for 19th Annual “Big Cleanup” – Liela Talka

Latvia is gearing up for its 19th annual nationwide spring cleaning event, Liela Talka, scheduled for Saturday, April 25th. This year’s slogan, “Hand in hand – for Latvia!” (“Roku rokā – Latvijai!”), emphasizes community collaboration in environmental improvement.

A Tradition of Collective Action

Liela Talka, meaning “Big Cleanup” in Latvian, is a longstanding tradition where neighbors, relatives and friends come together to function for the common good. The practice of talka, as it’s known in Latvia, reflects a broader cultural tradition of mutual assistance found throughout the Baltic region and beyond, with similar concepts existing in Lithuanian (talka), Estonian (talgud), and other neighboring countries. The word itself signifies voluntary joint work without remuneration, undertaken to assist others or improve a community space.

Event Details and Organization

The event will take place on April 25th, inviting all residents to participate in improving landscapes and cleaning up the environment. Organizers, led by the association “Pēdas LV” in cooperation with the Ministry of Climate and Energy, the Latvian Association of Local Governments, Latvian State Forests, and the Song Festival Association, encourage individuals to start planning their Talka activities.

Vita Jaunzeme, an organizer of Liela Talka, highlighted the importance of the event, stating, “The world is going crazy, but our care for our own health and nature, beauty, and cleanliness are stable and unchanging values ​​of Latvian society. Let’s join hands so that our forests and surroundings are clean, the landscape is beautifully maintained, and we ourselves are happy and proud of what we have done!”

How to Get Involved

Starting March 27th, individuals can explore potential work locations and register their Talka initiatives on the official website www.talkas.lv. Prior to this date, organizers are encouraging communities to connect and determine the specific tasks they will undertake during the cleanup.

The annual Big Clean-up was previously scheduled for April 26th in 2025, under the slogan “We are nature! We are together! We are Latvia!”