Mr President of the Senate of the Academy of Sciences, Mr President of the Academy of Sciences,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am particularly pleased to accept the Cicero Prize accorded by the Latvian Academy of Sciences and I thank you warmly for it.Through you, Mr President of the Senate, I would like to thank the Latvian people, their President and their Government for this symbol of “strong friend-ship and strong relations” between our two coun-tries, to use the expression of the President François Mitterrand, who was the first European Head of State to pay an official visit to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in May 1992.The celebration of the centenary of the creation of the Latvian state throughout 2018 was the occa-sion of a special intensification of the bilateral rela-tionship between France and Latvia. The inaugur-ation at the Musée d’Orsay, last spring, of the superb exhibition “Untamed Souls” has highlighted great European painters originating in the Baltic coun-tries who contributed to the awakening of national feeling. I welcome the major role played by Latvia in organising this exhibition, which is now also taking place in the three Baltic States.This exhibition, inaugurated by the Presidents, in the presence of the Ministers of Culture and your Minister of Foreign Affairs, marked the beginning of a series of fruitful contacts, notably with President

Raimonds Vējonis. On this occasion, the Foreign Ministers were able to sign an Action Plan of the Strategic Partnership, which sets ambitious goals for the relationship between France and Latvia over the next five years, in all areas of the bilateral relationship. In light of the troubled and uncertain international context, it is essential to continue the very close cooperation between our two countries, particularly in terms of de-fence and security. It is in our mutual interest. It is in the interest of the European project. France and Latvia are closely linked by the choice for Europe, by a common destiny centred on the same European ambition, with the same desire to have a strong Europe, a Europe that knows how to protect its citizens and defend itself against external risks. If Latvia is today in the first circle of solidarity within the European Union, it is because it made the deliberate choice, already before 2004, to overcome difficulties, to be at the forefront of the project Euro-pean Union and to hold high European values. Before we embark on the year 2019, which will allow us to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the liberation of Rīga, I wish to reiterate the commitment of France to a sovereign, united and democratic Europe.
Thank you.

• Publications. Monograaphs
  
  
  1. Ojārs Spārītis, Eugene Eteris. Latvia in Europe and the World. Modern European science policy: challenges and opportunities for Latvian perspective growth. Rīga, Sia Medicīnas apgāds, 2019, 124.p. 2. Biobibliogrāfija (Biobibliography). Riga, Zinātne, 2016, 414 pages.
  2. Esejas par Latvijas sakrālo kultūru (Essays on Latvian Sacral Culture). Rīga, Jumava, 2015. 215 lpp.
  3. Rīga – Florence. Kultūras paralēles (Riga – Florence. Cultural Parallels) Rīga, Jumava, 2004. 220 lpp.
  4. Versija par Jelgavas Sv. Trīsvienības baznīcu (A Version about St.Trinity Church of Jelgava). Rīga, Zinātne, 2011. 335 lpp.
  5. Rīgas pieminekļi un dekoratīvā tēlniecība (Monuments of Riga and Decorative Sculpture). Rīga, Nacionālais apgāds, 2001,160 lpp.; 2-nd Revised and enlarged Edition: Rīga, Nacionālais apgāds, 2007,194 lpp.
  6. Vācieši Latvijā (kopā ar L. Dribinu). II daļa “Vācu garīgās un materiālās kultūras vērtības Latvijā” (Germans in Latvia. Part II. Treasures of German intangible and material culture in Latvia). Rīga, Elpa, 2000, 86-229 lpp.
  7. Usmas baznīca Rīgā, Latvijā, pasaulē (The Church of Usma. In Latvia and in the world). Rīga, Zinātne, 1999, 170 lpp.
  8. Renesanses stilistiskais diapazons vizuālajās mākslās Latvijā XVI – XVII gadsimtā. (The Stylistic Range of the Renaissance Art in Latvia XVI-XVII centuries.) Rīga, Nordik, 60 lpp.
  9. Rīgas Doma vitrāžas Rīga. (The Riga Dome Stained Glass), Premo, 1997,104 lpp.


• Publications (2012-2019)
  
  1. Transcription of Renaissance Humanism – affected Iconography in Early Protestant Art in Riga - In: Baltic Journal of Art History, Autumn 2011-Spring 2012, Tartu University Press, 2012, p. 115-136.
  2. Renesanses humānisma ikonogrāfijas transkripcija Rīgas agrīnā protestantisma perioda mākslā. - Latvijas Zinātņu akadēmijas Vēstis, "A" daļa, 2013. gads, 67. sējums, No. 3. - 5, 75. - 89. lpp.
  3. Sociology of Art Collection: the Role of Collections in 19th Century Interior Design - In: Pasaulietiniai Interjerai. Ideja, Dekoras, Dizainas. Secular Interiors: Idea, Decor, Design. Vilnius Dailes Akademijos leidykla, 2014, p. 129-154.
  4. Ein Einblick in die Entstehung der sakralen Kulturlandschaft Lettlands - Beobachtungen und Quellen.- In: "Christi Ehr und gemeinen Nutzen Willig zu fodern und zu schuetzen". Beitraege zur Kirchen-, Kunst- und Landesgeschichte Pommerns und des Ostseeraums. Band 1, Thomas Helms Verlag, Schwerin, 2014, 39.-84.
  5. Evidence of the Reformation and Confessionalization period in Livonian Art. - In: Baltic Journal of Art History, No. 9, Spring 2015, Tartu University Press, p. 23-74.
  6. Biobibliogrāfija (Biobibliography). Riga, Zinātne, 2016, 414 pages.
  7. Beziehungen zwischen der Familie von behr und dem Prager Hof von Rudolph II. und deren Auswirkungen auf die Kultur Kurlands.-In: Schlösser und Herrenhäuser der Ostseeregion. Bausteine einer europäischen Kulturlandschaft. Thomas Helms Verlag, Schwerin, 2017, S. 103.-128.
  8. Zeugnisse der Epoche der Konfessionalisierung in Kunstwerken Livlands.- In: The Reformation in the Southeast Baltic Region. Acta Historica Universitatis Klaipedensis. Institute of Baltic region History and Archaeology, Klaipeda University, 2017, S. 135.-159.
  9. Sacred Architecture of Early Protestantism and Confessionalization in Latvia. From Cathedral and parish Church to Family Mausoleum.-In: Reformatio Baltica. Kulturwirkungen der Reformation in den Metropolen des Ostseeraums.(Hrsg. H. Assel, J.A. Steiger, A.E.Walter), Bd.2, de Gruyter, Berlin-Boston, 2018, S. 601.-617.
  10. Ojārs Spārītis, Eugene Eteris. Latvia in Europe and the World. Modern European science policy: challenges and opportunities for Latvian perspective growth. Rīga, Sia Medicīnas apgāds, 2019, 124.p.


• Reports at international conferences (2012-2019)
  
  
  1. "Beziehungen zwischen der Familie von Behr und dem Hof von Rudolph II"- Conference: "Castles and Manor Houses in the Baltic Sea Region", Greifswald, Germany, 3-6 October 2012.
  2. "Riga Talks" "Geheimnisvolles Lettland" - Europa Kulturtage 2013 - Goethe Universitaet, Campus Westend, House of Finance Grueneburgplatz 1, Frankfurt am Main, 14 November 2013.
  3. Protestantischer Kirchenbau und sakrale Kunst im Gebiet des heutigen Lettland bis 1918. - Internationale und interdisziplinaere Tagung "Protestantismus in den baltischen Laendern" - in Eberhard Karls Universitaet Tuebingen, 21 - 23 November 2013.
  4. Zur Frage der Entstehung des Querkirchentypus im skandinavischen Raum und Baltikum.-Konference "Religion und Aufklaerung", Westfaelische Wilhelms-Universitaet Muenster, 30 March - 2 April 2014.
  5. Emblem in the Wind. Emblematic Content of Weather-Cocks in Latvia during the 17th and 18th Centuries - Conference "10th International Conference Society for Emblem Studies, Chr. Albrechts Uni Kiel, 27 July - 1 August 2014.
  6. Protestant sacred architecture in Latvia - from cathedral to parish room and aristocratic Mausoleum – Conference: "Reformatio Baltica", Vilnius, 9-13 September 2015.
  7. Splendour, fall and rise of symbol - building of Latvian Academy of Sciences – International Scientific Conference of ICOMOS "Modern Heritage - Identifying, Assessing and managing its Protection and Conservation", Florence, 10-13 March 2016.
  8. Aktueller Bericht zu Beobachtungen zum Ziegelbau in Pakistan.- XI Internationaler Kongress BACKSTEINBAUKUNST. 1.-2. September 2016, Wismar.
  9. Splendour, fall and rise of symbol - building of Latvian Academy of Sciences.- ICOMOS International Scientific Conference "Modern Heritage - Identifying, Assessing and Managing its Protection and Conservation. Florence, March 10-13, 2016.
  10. The Practice of the Confession and the Evolution of Confessionals in the Interior of Courlandian Lutheran Churches.- International Conference on Material and Ceremonial Church Practices in the 16th and 17th Centuries in the Baltic Sea region "Indifferent Things". Tallinn, 14.-16. September 2017.
  11. Roles and Challenges Facing National Academies.- International Scientific Leaders Forum in Celebration of the 90th Anniversary of Academia Sinica. Taipei, November 11.-13, 2018.
  12. Europe 2050: How Can Education, Science and Innovation Contribute? - Forum Future Europe. Leibnitz Association, Berlin, 21.-22. February, 2019.


Courses of Lectures in Latvian Academy of Art
Art History of Latvia (12th to 19th c entury)
Theory of Styles
History of Applied Art
Protection of Cultural Heritage and theory of Conservation
Lectures and seminars in the courses for Doctoral studies

Visiting Lectures
Russian Academy of Sciences (Moscow, 2018), Seoul Technical University (South Korea, 2017), Hankou University (China, 2017), National Taipei University of Technology (Taiwan, 2015), Vilnius University (Lithuania, 2013), Florence Academy of Art (Italy, 2010), University of Tuebingen (Germany, 2009, 2010), University of Glasgow (United Kingdom, 2008),University of Jyväskylä (Finland, 2000), University of Kiel (Germany, 1994).

Awards
The Order of the White Rose, Knight’s Cross (Finland) (2009)
The Order of Leopold II, Officer’s Cross (Belgium) (2007)
The Order of Orange-Nassau, Knight’s Cross (the Netherlands) (2006)
The OrderAl Merito della Repubblica Italiana, Commander’s Cross (Italy) (2004)
Medal of M.C.A. Boeckler-Stiftung “Mare Balticum” (Germany) (2001)
The Order of Three Stars, Officer’s Cross (Latvia) (2001)
Swedish Order of the North Star, Commander’s Cross (2001)
Letter of Gratitude from the State President of Latvia (1999)
Riga Prize of the Latvian Academy of Sciences and the Riga Award Foundation (2003)
Prize of the Latvian Academy of Sciences and JSC “Grindeks” (2002)