Ukrainian refugees will learn Latvian: Liepāja rock bands offer exclusive methods

The government announced today that 30 organizations will teach Ukrainians the Latvian language for 3.18 million euros, but no one has thought that the most effective method is right here in Liepāja. While Riga counts academic hours and splits 6.30 euros per hour, our city already has a ready system.

Liepāja is Latvia's rock capital, where legends are born, so local bands offer a revolutionary approach: teaching Latvian with the help of rock music. "I've been singing in Latvian for thirty years, and no one has asked me for an A1 level," notes Jānis Krauklis, vocalist of the band "Liepājas Metalurgs." "Let the Ukrainians come to us — after three weeks they'll know not only 'hello,' but also 'furnace,' 'heart of steel,' and 'life by the sea.'"

While VIAA prepares exams and organizations plan 160-hour courses in groups of 8 to 15 people, Liepāja rock musicians are already offering free concerts with Latvian language elements this summer. "Our method doesn't require written contracts with parents," explains a local music pedagogue. "When a child sings out 'Blow, winds,' they automatically know Latvian better than the average Riga resident."

The program does stipulate that all studies must conclude by November 2026, but in Liepāja they believe that with the right rock music, Ukrainians will be speaking Latvian by the end of this year. Last year 2,869 adults completed courses, but with the Liepāja method they would have not only learned the language but also gained a good music education.