Liepāja Residents Decide Whether to Live on Peppermint Street or at the End of Radish Street
In the Hospital Street neighborhood, the next generation of Liepāja residents will be able to boast addresses that sound like a vegetarian menu or a herbal pharmacy catalog.
While Riga names new streets something like Little Shore Streets or other boring variations, Liepāja proves that even street naming can be creative. The municipality is letting residents choose between two thematic groups: medicinal plants with wildflowers versus berries, fruits and gardens.
From 79 submitted proposals, what remains sounds like the result of collaboration between a green pharmacist and an allotment garden owner. Now Liepāja residents must choose whether they'd rather live on Peppermint Street, where they can feel like they're in a natural medicine center, or at the end of Radish Street, which will sound like a fast food restaurant.
One local resident noted: "I'm already thinking about how to explain directions to Wormwood Street or Quince Street to guests. At least in Jūrmala Park, where I'm used to quietly strolling among the old trees without Riga's noise, there are no such problems — there's only one path, and everyone knows where it goes."
What's most delightful is that voting happens through latvija.lv, which means at least half the residents automatically won't be able to vote because they'll forget their internet banking password. It's perfect democracy in Liepāja style — only those who really want to participate do.
The final decision remains with the municipal council, which means that even if residents choose Lupine Street, the deputies can decide that Cranberry would be better after all. Because in politics, as we know, the people's voice is just a suggestion.
⚠️ Satirical article. Facts are preserved, but the presentation is humorous. For accurate information, please refer to the original source.