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Artwork for An Englishman in Latvia

An Englishman in Latvia

Alan Anstead
Latvia
Riga
Soviet Union
Flow
Jūrmala
Estonia
Baltic Way
Independence
Sigulda
MārtiņŔ RÄ«tiņŔ
Jelgava
Harold Trevenen Hall
Rundāle Palace
Latvija Minibus
Gintz Zilbaldordis
Animation
Golden Globes
Baftas
Oscars
British Intelligence

I first lived in Latvia as a diplomat from 1996-99, a few years after Latvia regained independence from the crumbling Soviet Union. I returned to live in Latvia in 2022. This storytelling podcast combines history, culture and tourism together with my personal anecdotes.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes67Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Places & TravelSociety & Culture

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Artwork for An Englishman in Latvia

Latest Episodes

Latvia's maritime history told through stories about its lighthouses. From Hanseatic merchants, through Courland's golden age, to the dark years when the Soviet Union turned the coastline into a military fortress and to today. Three lighthouses highl... more

YouTube

This is one of the most difficult and important episodes I have recorded: the deportation of over 57,000 Latvians by the Soviet Russian regime in 1941 and 1949. Regarded as genocide and a crime against humanity by the European Court of Human Rights. ... more

YouTube

The story of a small town in Latvia with a big name. It was renamed after a legendary Latvian ideologue who used to teach there, KriŔjānis Valdemārs. It has an award-winning 500-year-old linden tree, a crumbling Baltic German manor house, and a lovel... more

YouTube

A 270-year-old balm that is regarded as the national drink of Latvia. Sold in dark clay bottles. Some people love it, some don't. We explore the story andĀ legends surrounding Riga Black Balsam, and hold a tasting with friends.

Thanks for listening!... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Joe Horgan
An American based in Jelgava, produces the Latvia Weekly Podcast
Latvia Weekly Podcast
Episode: On Jelgava
Daigar Bondare
Guest from the Latvian Literature and Music Museum
Latvian Literature and Music Museum
Episode: On music

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 36 ratings
  • Excellent Podcast about Latvia!

    I love this podcast! My mother was a Latvian refugee, and settled in the United States following the end of WWII. While she did not bring me up speaking Latvian, she instilled pride in our heritage. This podcast continues to instill my pride in Latvia, and further opens a world of discovery. I have learned so much about the land of my ancestors: culture, history, language, art, and quirks! As I plan to go to Latvia again, I am using information from this podcast to help plan my excursions. Thank... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    csandowalk
    United States5 months ago
  • Learning Latvian Culture

    Your podcast transports me to Latvia!

    I am learning Latvian culture and Lettish, as

    I am pursuing Latvian citizenship. 😊

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NOT A TOTAL IDIOT!!
    United States10 months ago
  • Lovely podcast!

    The host has such a pleasant voice, and I like how well he blends facts about Latvia with personal experiences. It was cool that he included the birdsongs of the birds he talked about in the s1e5.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    nina w321
    United Statesa year ago
  • Wonderful Tales of Latvia

    A great podcast that describes many aspects of Latvian culture and history. Love hearing the perspective of Latvia in the 1990s vs today, and how life has changed.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ECJackson1918
    Australia3 years ago
  • Great and differentiated podcast

    Great podcast with lots of thoughtful and differentiated content on Latvia — thank you so much for putting this together. As a minor improvement would be nice if pronunciation were taken a bit more seriously though. Most of the sounds that the podcaster routinely butchers exist in English as well so require no particular skill to render. One gets the impression that despite being sympathetic to Latvia, the podcaster is not even trying to pronounce the most basic Latvian words like Jāņi with any... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    x8845
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Warm narration with clear passion for culture and travel, though pronunciation feedback appears occasionally.
Consistently well-produced and informative, blending memory with geography for a personal flavor.
Thoughtful look at Latvia's history and places that's easy to listen to on commutes.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

On Jelgava
Q: What do you dislike about Jelgava?
Joe mentions the delay in opening a new market and the lack of a movie theater as drawbacks, but overall feels positive about living there.
On Jelgava
Q: What are some tips for someone visiting Jelgava?
Joe recommends visiting the St. Trinity Tower for its historical displays and viewing platform and suggests exploring the outside of Jelgava Palace and the surrounding parks.
On Jelgava
Q: What do you like about living in Jelgava?
Joe Horgan enjoys the relaxed atmosphere, the size of the city compared to larger ones, and finds it a great place to raise his children with ample playgrounds and natural surroundings.
On music
Q: Who is your hero in the Latvian music scene?
The guest identifies Elina Garanca, a Mezzo-Soprano, as their hero for her talent, ability to work, and significant contributions to international stages.
On music
Q: What role did rock music play during the Soviet occupation as a means of rebelling against the Soviet authorities?
Rock music emerged as a significant genre during the Soviet occupation, with bands like Liivi performing and representing a form of rebellion against a regime that heavily monitored musical life.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About An Englishman in Latvia

What is An Englishman in Latvia about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A narrative-style show blending history, culture, and travel with personal anecdotes from life in Latvia. Across episodes, listeners are guided through impactful historical events (e.g., deportations, independence movement, and national memory) alongside intimate takeaways from small towns, iconic sites, and Latvian traditions. The host's perspective as a long-time expatriate and diplomat-turned-local observer shapes a tone that's reflective, curious, and travel-forward, often pairing archival context with practical tips for visitors. Notable strengths include tightly themed episodes that connect big histories to tangible places, along with accessible storytelling that invites listeners to learn about Latvia while imagining themselves explo... more

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Which podcasts are similar to An Englishman in Latvia?

These podcasts share a similar audience with An Englishman in Latvia:

1. Latvia Weekly
2. What's That Rash?
3. Zero To Travel Podcast
4. Empire: World History
5. The Rest Is Politics

How many episodes of An Englishman in Latvia are there?

An Englishman in Latvia launched 4 years ago and published 67 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on An Englishman in Latvia?

Recent guests on An Englishman in Latvia include:

1. Joe Horgan
2. Daigar Bondare

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