LATVIAN CANADIAN CULTURAL CENTER

The motto of the Canadian Latvian Center Toronto (KLCT) is "A living nation in a living environment". Its purpose is to preserve Latvian culture and create a place where Latvians can meet in a Latvian environment at concerts, dances, schools, seminars, theaters and other events. The center also hosts events for the local public and various organizations.

The center's building and plot of land were purchased in 1977 and opened to the public in 1979 after renovations to make the facilities fit the needs of the community. This event was supported by local Latvians and Latvian organizations, as well as the Ontario government with a Wintario grant. The center was opened by Ontario Premier William G. Davis with North York City Mayor Mel Lastman. Since then, the Center has received government support from the Trillium Foundation (2003/2004 and 2008) and from the City of Toronto in 2007 for major renovations.

Around 750 events take place in the center during the year. The center houses two Latvian schools - Valodiņa and the Saturday School of the Toronto Latvian Association, as well as the Gauja (14th) scouting unit and the Riga (72nd) scout unit. Dance groups - Daugaviņa, Mēnestiņš, Daugava and Dižais Dancis meet. Dzirksts and the Daugava Hawk Men's Choir sing. The Bridge Group, the Union of Latvian Artists in Canada, the Toronto Latvian Philatelist Club also meet. The Association of Latvian Pensioners of Toronto, which consists of a large number of members, meets in the Center every week.