Riga NATO Summit logo was presented yesterday
18.05.2006
The official logo for Riga Summit of NATO Heads of State and Government was presented in Riga yesterday. It was chosen among 148 works of Latvia's artists that participated in the national competition for Riga NATO Summit logo design. The final decision was made by NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer who approved the work of Latvian artist Uldis Freimanis under the slogan „Riga - the historical crossroads".
In the complimentary letter to the winning artist NATO Secretary General wrote that "the beautiful design captures the Riga skyline and thereby highlights the important role Riga will play on the international scene when it hosts the 26 NATO Heads of State and Government."
Likewise, Mr. Freimanis explained that he was trying to underline the historical role of Riga through NATO Summit logo. Already since the end of 12th century important European events have taken place in Riga that have later influenced the course of the history. The upcoming NATO Summit in Riga will also be as important crossroads where decisions of future European and global security strategy will be taken.
In the presentation ceremony of Riga NATO Summit logo the President of Latvia Vaira Vīķe - Freiberga said that Riga will be in the world spotlight this November. Riga NATO Summit logo will remind of NATO and Riga - the venue place of the meeting of NATO Heads of State and Government.
The Head of NATO Summit Latvia Task Force Edgars Rinkēvičs, who was also chairing the logo competition commission, added that commission was positively surprised about the large amount of works and ideas that were sent in for the logo competition. Most of them depicted the traditional symbols of Latvia and Riga - panorama of Riga, The Monument of Freedom, traditional ethnographic symbols, rooster, etc. Riga skyline in NATO Summit logo that was designed by Mr. Freimanis seemed to characterize the image of Riga the best of all.
Next week, Monday, 22 May, the official NATO Summit logo will also be presented at NATO Headquarters in Brussels with the participation of NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Shefer and Minister of Defense of Latvia, Atis Slakteris.
Information
Elīna Lazdāne
NATO Summit Latvia Press Center
NATO Summit Latvia Task Force
