Guntis Rāvis participates in the Big Clean-up Day together with the President of Latvia

24.04.2012

During the Big Clean-up Day, the President of Latvia and patron of the Big Clean-up Day Andris Bērziņš and one of the biggest financial supporters of the Big Clean-up Day, Skonto Būve’s owner and Chairman of the Board Guntis Rāvis, both worked on securing the dunes in the Slow Mile (Gausā jūdze) between Jaunķemeri and Lapmežciems. Securing walls were made out of osiers in order to strengthen the coast and ensure that natural disasters, especially strong gusts of wind, wouldn’t erode the seashore.

Andris Bērziņš, President of Latvia: “For the fifth time already, Latvians of all ages are gathering for the Big Clean-up Day. The cleanup, as a coming together to work in one’s own or a neighbour’s yard has a long tradition in Latvia and people used to put great pride in this activity. Therefore, I wish that the spirit and will of the Great Cleanup won’t fade together with the things we have done today. May this day remind us to take care of our beautiful country and be responsible for keeping itclean.”

Guntis Rāvis, Chairman of the Board of Skonto Būve: “It is with great pleasure that Skonto Būve supports the Big Clean-up Day for the second year. This is one of the events where we would like to set an example and encourage people to treat the environment responsibly. Supporting the Big Clean-up Day is one of the ways that helps us strengthen the ongoing improvement of the environment and education of society.”

The tradition of the Big Clean-up Day began with a major cleanup on 13 September 2008, as part of the events honouring the 90thanniversary of Latvia.The purpose of the Big Clean-up Day is to make Latvia the cleanestand “greenest” country in the world.


Skonto Būve begins construction of a new tram line in Liepaja

16.04.2012

The official opening of LiepajaTram Line Extension or Construction Project was attended by the Mayor of Liepaja Uldis Sesks, Chairman of the Board of Skonto Būve Guntis Rāvis, Board member of Liepājas tramvajs Aigars Puks and others.

The constructionof a new tram line in Liepaja is an important step in the development of public transport in Liepaja, since it is the first city in Latvia to build a new tram line after the country has regained its independence. The tram line will go along Tukuma Street from Klaipēdas Street to Ventas Street and will end with a circle in Slapjā Street.

UldisSesks, Mayor of Liepaja: “With this project we will finally fulfil the dream we have cherished since 1986, when the City Executive Committee, as it was called during the Soviet times, decided on the construction of a tram line to the Ezerkrasts residential area, which is the largest one in the city. The project will also allow us to improve the existing tram line links, so that every citizen of Liepaja will benefit from this. I believe that both our children and grandchildren will still be able to enjoy the results of this project!”

Guntis Rāvis,Chairman of the Board of Skonto Būve: “Skonto Būve obtained the right to construct the Liepaja Tram Line Extension after participating in a competition. For the convenience of the citizens of Liepaja, we will build the new tram line of 1.8 km in a relatively short period of time, only six months. This will be the first newly build tram line since Latvia has regained its independence, and Skonto Būve is proud to implement a project that has been planned for decades.”

As an introduction to the event,an exhibition of old photographs depicting Liepaja Tram Line’s construction and development from its beginnings to the present day was opened in the Liepaja City Council. The photographs were provided from the collection of Juris Raķis.


Skonto Būve organised Ballet Celebration at the LNO

30.03.2012

The Ballet Celebration event, which was organised by the patron of the Latvian National Ballet - Skonto Būve, was held In Latvian National Opera. The visitors had an opportunity to get acquainted with the new Latvian National Ballet dancers - Alise Prudāne, Jolanta Lubēja, Ieva Rācene, Evelīna Godunova and Aleksandrs Osadčijs, as well as enjoy an exciting lecture of musicologist Mikus Čeže about the history of ballet in Latvia. 

Aivars Leimanis, Artistic Director of the LatvianNational Ballet: “Without the support of Skonto Būve  the Latvian National Ballet would not be able to hold many great events. Currently in our troupe we have nine ballerinas who can dance leading roles and this creates the necessity for new performances. The support of the Skonto Būve gives us a chance to create more and more interesting choreographies for our powerful troupe to express itself.” 

Andrejs Žagars,Director of the LatvianNational Opera: “At the moment, our LatvianNational Ballettroupe is at a professionally very high level, it can perform really complicated tasks, such as Bayadera of Ludwig Minkus, which is currently being staged. With the support of Skonto Būve, the LatvianNational Ballethas reached high standards and will do even more in future.” 

Guntis Rāvis, Skonto Būve Chairman of the Board: “The initiative to support the LatvianNational Ballettroupe has become a tradition and it will be continued. We build cities, but the artists and the culture bring them to life. Therefore, with great satisfaction, Skonto Būve helps the ballet troupe to grow professionally, stage new performances, goon tours and discover new Latvian ballet stars."

During the last years the LatvianNational Ballettroupe has been replenished by several young talented ballet artists and reached so high of an artistic level to stage a performance Bayadera for the first time in Latvian National Ballet’s history. This is the only one of the big classical ballets which so far had never been staged in Riga.


Andris Bērziņš, the President of Latvia, and construction company Skonto Būve choose the theme song of Big Clean-up Day

26.03.2012

On Friday, March 23, Skonto Būve Ltd. together with the newly appointed patron of Lielā Talka (Big Clean-up Day), the President of Latvia, Andris Bērziņš, participated in the meeting of the Big Clean-up Day coordinators in the Great Hall of the University of Latvia. The theme song of Big Clean-up Day - Tumša Nakte, Zaļa Zāle (The Dark Night, the Green Grass) was selected during the meeting.

Andris Bērziņš, the President of Latvia and the patron of Big Clean-up Day: "The countryside of Latvia has become tidier, but there is much left to do in the towns and more attention must be paid to tidying the towns and town centres. Cleaning up must be performed together in order to exchange thoughts and ideas regarding the kind of clean and green Latvia we would like to see. It is important to ensure that the future Latvia is not only green, but has inhabitants."

 Guntis Rāvis, Chairman of the Management Board of Skonto Būve "Skonto Būve participates in Big Clean-up Day with a great feeling of satisfaction, however, it would be much more pleasant if we did not have to support waste collection. We would be happier to channel this energy into more creative activities, for instance, into organising and improving the environment."

The festive meeting with Andris Bērziņš, the President of Latvia and patron of Big Clean-up Day, has marked the countdown of the last 28 days before the date of Big Clean-up Day on April 21.


Has finished “Skonto Būve” sponsored competition “Baltic Hoop 2012”

21.03.2012

The international rhythmic gymnastics tournament “Baltic Hoop 2012” traditionally took place in Riga in mid-March for already the thirteenth time. This year, the tournament, attended by 102 gymnasts altogether, also marked the 65th anniversary of rhythmic gymnastics in Latvia. The competition was organised by the Latvian Gymnastics Federation in co-operation with the Education, Culture and Sports Department of the Riga City Council, financial support for the event was provided by SIA “Skonto Būve”.

Olympic Champion and multiple World and European Champion Yevgeniya Kanayeva of Russia convincingly won the individual all-around competition as well as three out of four apparatus routines, winning “Skonto Būve” cash prize of EUR 1000. Alexandra Merkulova from Russia placed second and Stanyuta Melitina from Belarus third, taking cash prizes of EUR 600 and EUR 400 respectively. Latvia’s best gymnast, Latvian Champion and Latvian Cup winner Yelizaveta Gamaleyevafinished in fifth place.

In group competition, Russian national team was victorious. The Russian team is coached by the world’s best rhythmic gymnastics coach, Irina Viner-Usmanova.

The traditional “Baltic Hoop” title of “Miss Elegance”, awarded by an artistic jury, went to Liubov Charkashyna from Belarus this year.

Participating in the competition were 102 gymnasts from 16 countries: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Israel, Bulgaria, Poland, Germany, Norway, Finland, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia and, for the first time in the “Baltic Hoop” history, Belgium and Armenia. More than 2500 spectators watched the tournament.

Latvia was represented by the country’s best gymnasts: Yelizaveta Gamaleyeva, Veronika Romanova and Anastasia Efimova.