CONFERENCE
Achievements:
What does this award mean for you? I don’t consider myself as a person of the year in Latvia, Europe or in the world, it would be a ridiculous exaggeration. When I got to know that I had received this award, I realized that concerns the people who voted for me. I am only the mirror, in which they try to see something significant for themselves. The award is not for me – it is meant for thousands of Latvians, who are longing for something. What are they longing for? What do they want to see in this mirror? I wouldn’t know the answer! I think that we all want something genuine and real. It is in accord with my principle –I say what I think. I remember one of the first times when I came to Latvia and watched congratulations on TV show. I am not saying that the flowery words were exaggeration, but those congratulations were inane. On the other side, there is a real person, whose anniversary is being celebrated communicating with dummies. Still, we live in a fictitious world. It is traumatizing, therefore I do not speak about things I don’t know and don’t understand, but if I do speak, I speak my mind. Life is short! People envision and feel this world differently; therefore, with great hardships we have made a liberal and democratic environment, which is a place where we can speak up. I watch in sorrow how we are restricting ourselves because of the fear and we are willing to sacrifice a lot for safety. Benjamin Franklin, one of the US Founding Fathers, said: “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” I fully agree with that. In order to live through the time that is given to us on the Earth, we must be free. To be free and honest also means to acknowledge your trouble spots. Of course! Inferiority feeling may be so huge; we have to hide our true selves. I understand that during the Soviet times people were intimidated, but now I work with children that, due to some reason, live in insecurity throughout their lives. This feeling of insecurity can be masked or treated, but not erased, but with some people it is self-preservation rather than insecurity. If you have no freedom, honesty or courage, what is there left then? What makes you feel unsafe? I am feeling immensely unsafe! I understand Zvannieku children quite well, because I had a long experience of being a refugee. I am like them. Just as prophets from the Old Testament I feel strongly about justice. By saying that I do not mean human faults, they are nothing. It is not fair to seek profit at other people’s expense. Unfortunately, people in Latvia are not ready to serve each other; they are looking for their own benefits. I see honest people in small stores and enterprises who are doing their job and take pride in it. Sadly, bureaucracy can stomp out the will and effort of these good people. Why don’t you go into politics? The political system of Latvia doesn’t help idealists and honest people. I have learned from my teacher Paul Tillich a slogan of my life: “Every institution is inherently demonic.” It means inadequate, sabotaging and destructive. I highlight the word “every”, because the Church as an institution also differs greatly from the one Jesus founded for us. I realise as Tillih did that having institutions is inevitable, but there is no good in it and it will corrupt us. It begins with little things, for example, an exhausted cashier five minutes before closing time sees my shopping cart full of groceries for Zvannieku children and mutters: “Right, you found just the perfect time to feed all your neighbours!” She doesn’t say that it is good that somebody is shopping, that she has a job. She speaks like a person belonging to an institution. There are many good people in schools, universities, political entities and hospitals, who speak as the mouths of institutions. Humans lack humanity. Yes, the Church is encouraging this, and not only in Latvia. The Church has lost its way, it is but an empty shell in historical cultural space and it assents to everything. As a result, the Church does no more than moralize. I support liberal radicalism – the responsibility of Christian community is to withstand any negation within society and institutions. By what means? We must fight against poverty, inequality and dishonesty in workplaces. The Church must speak about these things! Our social environment is catastrophic, thousands of families are unhappy and social work does not exist. We are pushing papers and avoiding our problems. Isn’t it more convenient to be an eternal sufferer? Let’s not flog the others! Let’s enjoy our lives, let’s support the others! People are witty as I see that on social networks they see through everything! Why can’t these gifted, positive people change something in life? Someone has to go the first. Yes, changes require suffering and loss. Nothing will change if we want just to save ourselves from difficulties and losses. A panel discussion on television about selecting candidates for Prime Minister really shocked me. In this discussion several intelligent people with that Aristotelian verity said: “This year we must resolve some challenging problems connected with refugees, medicine, education. Nobody wants to put their neck into the noose, nobody wants to have such fate.” To refuse a position only because you are afraid of failure! Why are we so unwilling to pay something and serve others? Wanting to be liked is part of human nature. What are those beautiful moments that bring you joy? I’m impressed with the generosity of people who are willing to donate, for example, thanks to the efforts of friends, to my son-in-law (Jānis Varšļa – A.Č.) a fantastic sum of money was raised in a few days’ time. That is beautiful! I see it again and again – people responding to the needs of other people! I am drawn to genuineness. It is not like a smooth, polished floor that has little to do with real life. In “Zvannieki” I have to get along with children who have different needs. I cannot be false and flattering because children see through it, they get straight to the point. Those moments are genuine, full of humanity, and that is the true essence of life. I live in a very beautiful place. We are so happy here in Latvia! If only we could create happiness for each other. God gave me a very special gift – a chance to teach – it is really challenging and stimulating. Perhaps, students are a little bit shy, because they are not sure about spiritual things, they don’t want to ask questions. I wish students could forget about politeness and be much more straightforward in religious issues expressing their skepticism, lack of comprehension or reluctance. I can work with things I am very fond of. I would search the answers for myself if I had no students at all, but it adds a bit of spice when you have to explain things for the others. Why do people choose to study theology? Some of them search for the enlightenment and purpose. They think this is the place where they can find it, they are searching for the in-depth truth. Also, among our students are people who have experience within their denominations and they want to fill in the gaps in their knowledge. The only problem is that there is no chance to fill in the gaps, but the only possibility is to reform their views. Can the UL Faculty of Theology compete with the University of Maryland or Harvard where you studied yourself? Yes! There were prominent theologians at Harvard, but I don’t say they were the best teachers. I remember that one of the leading researchers of the Dead Sea Scrolls who gave us some lectures left me merely confused. Students feel if the lecturer is interested in them. We had two lecturers who taught us Systematic Theology: one was very well known, the other was little known and exactly the second professor opened all doors of Theology for me! It is strange that many researchers cannot transmit their academic skills to the students. A worldwide known academician lacking educational skills will do no good for student’s development. The key to success is to be greatly interested in students, but if you are not, then why do you teach? What kind of Theology students you would like to see? I really appreciate little wonders. We are in a new cultural and historical paradigm with electronic environment. It is not just a tool anymore; it changes our perception, concentration, interests, and our brain. One of the results is that the emerging generation of students finds it hard to read books. They are willing to click further after one page. Reading requires concentration and discipline, but devices offer you one exciting thing after another without ever stopping to look closely at any of them. Their brain anticipates the next click. Faced up to the new wave of technology, teachers have yet to form new pedagogic approaches of the future. It would have been silly if somebody in the 15th century had said to Johann Gutenberg who began printing books: “No, no, cast this aside, oral culture is the real thing.” Now is the same situation – we must realize that the internet is taking over the world. Together we can find a way how to start a modern education, which, unlike the current teaching system, will be focused on developing students’ ability to recognize and solve problems. There is a saying – a good teacher kindles a mind of a student like a fire, but not fills it like a vessel. I want to know what kind of fuel should be used and where the wick is that can be lit up. We had a horrible history teacher back then when 60 years ago I studied in secondary school in England. His teaching manner was really boring. However, every year there came young teachers from university and I remember one of them in particular. You know, students are like hungry wolves – they devour the weakest one. This teacher was a typical nerd – big glasses, a silly hairstyle and weak physical constitution. When I saw him I thought to myself – how dare they sending such victim to savage kids who are like ogres! Later he became one of our favourite teachers due to his unmasking simplicity and friendliness. What are the problems theologians deal with? Others must search for false problems, but we are in a happy situation – our whole life is a problem! We are not running short of problems that need to be resolved. What are the crucial moments that formed your personality? Every little thing that we have done composes one fabric of life where everything is woven together. Love and friendship are the uniting force; they hold us together. Humans are busy with trifles, pushing aside everything that is beautiful and genuine. My wife Sandra helped me to change. I have had many teachers, I have many acquaintances and still Sandra is the most ingenious teacher from all I have known. She has the teacher gene in her blood, she uses it like a scanner – she ignores a person’s appearance, because it is deceptive. She gets inside the human personality and is capable of bringing out the best of it. I have learned so much from her about myself and realized, in fact, how inadequate I am. “Zvannieki” has also a possibility to exist because of her. I keep learning from her and it makes me happy. Now I understand who is your nominee for the award European Person of the Year Thank you, it is beautifully and truly said.
- Received the UL Annual award for establishing a science school, 2014
- Created care centre for children and families “Zvannieku mājas”
- Gave shelter to refugees from Somalia in 2005
- Coordinator of the Bible Translation Committee
What does this award mean for you? I don’t consider myself as a person of the year in Latvia, Europe or in the world, it would be a ridiculous exaggeration. When I got to know that I had received this award, I realized that concerns the people who voted for me. I am only the mirror, in which they try to see something significant for themselves. The award is not for me – it is meant for thousands of Latvians, who are longing for something. What are they longing for? What do they want to see in this mirror? I wouldn’t know the answer! I think that we all want something genuine and real. It is in accord with my principle –I say what I think. I remember one of the first times when I came to Latvia and watched congratulations on TV show. I am not saying that the flowery words were exaggeration, but those congratulations were inane. On the other side, there is a real person, whose anniversary is being celebrated communicating with dummies. Still, we live in a fictitious world. It is traumatizing, therefore I do not speak about things I don’t know and don’t understand, but if I do speak, I speak my mind. Life is short! People envision and feel this world differently; therefore, with great hardships we have made a liberal and democratic environment, which is a place where we can speak up. I watch in sorrow how we are restricting ourselves because of the fear and we are willing to sacrifice a lot for safety. Benjamin Franklin, one of the US Founding Fathers, said: “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” I fully agree with that. In order to live through the time that is given to us on the Earth, we must be free. To be free and honest also means to acknowledge your trouble spots. Of course! Inferiority feeling may be so huge; we have to hide our true selves. I understand that during the Soviet times people were intimidated, but now I work with children that, due to some reason, live in insecurity throughout their lives. This feeling of insecurity can be masked or treated, but not erased, but with some people it is self-preservation rather than insecurity. If you have no freedom, honesty or courage, what is there left then? What makes you feel unsafe? I am feeling immensely unsafe! I understand Zvannieku children quite well, because I had a long experience of being a refugee. I am like them. Just as prophets from the Old Testament I feel strongly about justice. By saying that I do not mean human faults, they are nothing. It is not fair to seek profit at other people’s expense. Unfortunately, people in Latvia are not ready to serve each other; they are looking for their own benefits. I see honest people in small stores and enterprises who are doing their job and take pride in it. Sadly, bureaucracy can stomp out the will and effort of these good people. Why don’t you go into politics? The political system of Latvia doesn’t help idealists and honest people. I have learned from my teacher Paul Tillich a slogan of my life: “Every institution is inherently demonic.” It means inadequate, sabotaging and destructive. I highlight the word “every”, because the Church as an institution also differs greatly from the one Jesus founded for us. I realise as Tillih did that having institutions is inevitable, but there is no good in it and it will corrupt us. It begins with little things, for example, an exhausted cashier five minutes before closing time sees my shopping cart full of groceries for Zvannieku children and mutters: “Right, you found just the perfect time to feed all your neighbours!” She doesn’t say that it is good that somebody is shopping, that she has a job. She speaks like a person belonging to an institution. There are many good people in schools, universities, political entities and hospitals, who speak as the mouths of institutions. Humans lack humanity. Yes, the Church is encouraging this, and not only in Latvia. The Church has lost its way, it is but an empty shell in historical cultural space and it assents to everything. As a result, the Church does no more than moralize. I support liberal radicalism – the responsibility of Christian community is to withstand any negation within society and institutions. By what means? We must fight against poverty, inequality and dishonesty in workplaces. The Church must speak about these things! Our social environment is catastrophic, thousands of families are unhappy and social work does not exist. We are pushing papers and avoiding our problems. Isn’t it more convenient to be an eternal sufferer? Let’s not flog the others! Let’s enjoy our lives, let’s support the others! People are witty as I see that on social networks they see through everything! Why can’t these gifted, positive people change something in life? Someone has to go the first. Yes, changes require suffering and loss. Nothing will change if we want just to save ourselves from difficulties and losses. A panel discussion on television about selecting candidates for Prime Minister really shocked me. In this discussion several intelligent people with that Aristotelian verity said: “This year we must resolve some challenging problems connected with refugees, medicine, education. Nobody wants to put their neck into the noose, nobody wants to have such fate.” To refuse a position only because you are afraid of failure! Why are we so unwilling to pay something and serve others? Wanting to be liked is part of human nature. What are those beautiful moments that bring you joy? I’m impressed with the generosity of people who are willing to donate, for example, thanks to the efforts of friends, to my son-in-law (Jānis Varšļa – A.Č.) a fantastic sum of money was raised in a few days’ time. That is beautiful! I see it again and again – people responding to the needs of other people! I am drawn to genuineness. It is not like a smooth, polished floor that has little to do with real life. In “Zvannieki” I have to get along with children who have different needs. I cannot be false and flattering because children see through it, they get straight to the point. Those moments are genuine, full of humanity, and that is the true essence of life. I live in a very beautiful place. We are so happy here in Latvia! If only we could create happiness for each other. God gave me a very special gift – a chance to teach – it is really challenging and stimulating. Perhaps, students are a little bit shy, because they are not sure about spiritual things, they don’t want to ask questions. I wish students could forget about politeness and be much more straightforward in religious issues expressing their skepticism, lack of comprehension or reluctance. I can work with things I am very fond of. I would search the answers for myself if I had no students at all, but it adds a bit of spice when you have to explain things for the others. Why do people choose to study theology? Some of them search for the enlightenment and purpose. They think this is the place where they can find it, they are searching for the in-depth truth. Also, among our students are people who have experience within their denominations and they want to fill in the gaps in their knowledge. The only problem is that there is no chance to fill in the gaps, but the only possibility is to reform their views. Can the UL Faculty of Theology compete with the University of Maryland or Harvard where you studied yourself? Yes! There were prominent theologians at Harvard, but I don’t say they were the best teachers. I remember that one of the leading researchers of the Dead Sea Scrolls who gave us some lectures left me merely confused. Students feel if the lecturer is interested in them. We had two lecturers who taught us Systematic Theology: one was very well known, the other was little known and exactly the second professor opened all doors of Theology for me! It is strange that many researchers cannot transmit their academic skills to the students. A worldwide known academician lacking educational skills will do no good for student’s development. The key to success is to be greatly interested in students, but if you are not, then why do you teach? What kind of Theology students you would like to see? I really appreciate little wonders. We are in a new cultural and historical paradigm with electronic environment. It is not just a tool anymore; it changes our perception, concentration, interests, and our brain. One of the results is that the emerging generation of students finds it hard to read books. They are willing to click further after one page. Reading requires concentration and discipline, but devices offer you one exciting thing after another without ever stopping to look closely at any of them. Their brain anticipates the next click. Faced up to the new wave of technology, teachers have yet to form new pedagogic approaches of the future. It would have been silly if somebody in the 15th century had said to Johann Gutenberg who began printing books: “No, no, cast this aside, oral culture is the real thing.” Now is the same situation – we must realize that the internet is taking over the world. Together we can find a way how to start a modern education, which, unlike the current teaching system, will be focused on developing students’ ability to recognize and solve problems. There is a saying – a good teacher kindles a mind of a student like a fire, but not fills it like a vessel. I want to know what kind of fuel should be used and where the wick is that can be lit up. We had a horrible history teacher back then when 60 years ago I studied in secondary school in England. His teaching manner was really boring. However, every year there came young teachers from university and I remember one of them in particular. You know, students are like hungry wolves – they devour the weakest one. This teacher was a typical nerd – big glasses, a silly hairstyle and weak physical constitution. When I saw him I thought to myself – how dare they sending such victim to savage kids who are like ogres! Later he became one of our favourite teachers due to his unmasking simplicity and friendliness. What are the problems theologians deal with? Others must search for false problems, but we are in a happy situation – our whole life is a problem! We are not running short of problems that need to be resolved. What are the crucial moments that formed your personality? Every little thing that we have done composes one fabric of life where everything is woven together. Love and friendship are the uniting force; they hold us together. Humans are busy with trifles, pushing aside everything that is beautiful and genuine. My wife Sandra helped me to change. I have had many teachers, I have many acquaintances and still Sandra is the most ingenious teacher from all I have known. She has the teacher gene in her blood, she uses it like a scanner – she ignores a person’s appearance, because it is deceptive. She gets inside the human personality and is capable of bringing out the best of it. I have learned so much from her about myself and realized, in fact, how inadequate I am. “Zvannieki” has also a possibility to exist because of her. I keep learning from her and it makes me happy. Now I understand who is your nominee for the award European Person of the Year Thank you, it is beautifully and truly said.
