State reveals that Rucava customs point is as necessary as a greenhouse on Liepāja beach

Another miracle has occurred in the world of Latvian bureaucracy — a property has changed hands so frequently that even GPS navigation started getting confused. The former Rucava customs point, consisting of a 1.58-hectare plot of land and buildings, is returning to state ownership after the municipality realized they needed it about as much as a greenhouse on Liepāja beach — in the cold Baltic Sea, where even in summer the wind blows so hard that people run home for sweaters.

Initially, the Ministry of Interior transferred this property to Rucava municipality, thinking that perhaps they could organize something useful there. But after some time, it turned out that this customs point was about as relevant to the municipality as ideas about improving public transport are to Riga City Council.

"What are we going to do with this customs point?" asked local residents. "Maybe we'll make a café for tourists?" But then some clever municipal employee replied: "What tourists? We're in Rucava, not in Liepāja with its beautiful but windy beach!"

Now the state is taking over this property again, hoping that maybe someone in the ministry will figure out what to do with it. Perhaps create a museum about how to unsuccessfully manage properties, or simply leave it as a monument to the effectiveness of Latvian bureaucracy.

While Riga is still thinking about how to manage its properties, in Liepāja we simply go to the beach to enjoy the cold Baltic Sea and strong winds, knowing that at least natural forces work without bureaucratic procedures.