So here I am writing my last blog entry for the anniversary project under the slogan Light on for Latvia! In only a few days more Latvia will be celebrating its 90th birthday.

"Latvia is my only home" - that was the title of my first blog entry, published on the website this April. During the months that followed each week I shared with the readers my feelings of love to the country, where I was destined to be born and to live most of my life. This is not a short-lived falling in love with a country of residence, which I could leave if something started threatening my well-being here. For me to love my home country during all periods of its history (sometimes very difficult ones!) means first of all hard labor and big responsibility. It is also an ability to forgive. Even when it seems that the home country has betrayed you. That you are a stranger here. But you would be an even bigger stranger in any other part of the world - after all this was land that your star stood over at the moment of your birth. You simply do not and cannot have a different home country.

Today Latvia is living through hard times. I admit - at times it is not easy to not speak of the looming problems, to find kind words for my home country. But I kept looking for these kind words anyway. Because illness cannot be cured only by being loudly diagnosed. The most miraculous medicine will not have the needed effect when it is perscribed with no love and compassion towards the ill. I love and accept Latvia the way it is. I was probably very lucky - I had a chance to live in all Latvia's regions: Vidzeme, Kurzeme, Zemgale, Latgale and in Riga. I know this country from inside out, not only from the loud declarations made by politicians or scandalous articles in the press. This knowledge is very much obliging.

What would I like to wish my country on the eve of its anniversary, saying goodbye to the Internet project Lights on for Latvia?

Let the birds' singing, the children's laughter and the All-nation Prayer, the Song Festival never stop ringing out under the Latvian skies!

Illustration: Aigars Bumburs