News

On Saturday, May 26th Estonian University of Life Sciences (EMÜ) hosted the ceremonial meeting of Latvian student fraternity "Latvia". The meeting in Tartu marked 100 years of fraternity in its' establishing city and Alma mater.

"Latvia" was established on February 17th (March 2nd) 1917 in Tartu Veterinary Institute with the aim to facilitate members to polite manners and prepare them for work in favour of motherland.

For annual celebration at the end of academic year, about 50 fraternity members and guests met in the halls of the Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences of EMÜ. Speeches were held to remember the academic family's history in the city where the fraternity was founded.

In his speech Kristaps Magone, the Presidium member of the fraternity drew attention to patriotism, friendship and honor as principles that have guided the fraternity members for a century. DSc Enn Ernits from EMÜ gave an overview of the higher veterinary education in Tartu. Presidium member Uldis Brūns revealed some historic moments during fraternity's time in Tartu.

"We consider current Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences of EMÜ as a successor of the former Tartu Veterinary Institute where Latvian students have studied. In 1917, 11 of them founded the student fraternity “Latvia”," said Kristaps Magone on behalf of the fraternity.

As hosting institute's director Toomas Tiirats has pointed out, the fraternity's ceremonial meeting took place in it's home institute on the year that marks 170 years of veterinary education in Tartu. Estonian University of Life Sciences was delighted to greet Latvian friends in Tartu and wishes the fraternity many years to come!