“A story about a Vietnamese living in Latvia”, Cao Viet Nguyen

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1. Hello, my name is Cao Viet Nguyen and I am from Vietnam. I have lived in Latvia for 10 years and this is my story. / I came to Latvia in 2003 with my father’s family. At that time many Vietnamese dreamed of working and studying abroad because they believed that doing so would lead them to a better life, education and the possibility to earn more money. / People always ask me where exactly Latvia is, and at first, even I couldn’t answer the question. It was not until later that I discovered that Latvia is a small country in the Baltic region of northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia and to the south by Lithuania. / Hey, I can’t find Latvia! 2. Not many Asians live in Latvia. When I first arrived here people were not used to how I looked. Sometimes it even made me feel like an ape in the zoo. / He has naturally black hair. I want my hair to be like that! / Hmm...His skin is very brown. / Hey, look at his hair. It looks like a hedgehog’s spine. / Hey, say something in Chinese. 3. I was not the only one who was surprised by how Latvians welcome foreigners. / According to the map, we are in Riga. / Honey, are you sure we are not in Moscow? / Hey, Chinese! Chue Han tyu tyei... Ha ha ha... / What are the Chinese doing here? Idiots. 4. After World War II and the Soviet Union occupation in 1990, Latvia’s independence was restored. As a result, 27 % of the Latvian population was Russian, and there was a silent conflict between their views and lifestyles, which often confused me. / Speak Latvian you insolent cow! You have lived here for 50 years, but you can’t even say- ‘good day’ in Latvian? Shame on you! /Just drive out of this country and ask someone if they even know where Latvia is. The Russian language is good enough for everyone who lives here!

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1. In my opinion, even a little country has its own values. Nature is Latvian’s treasure. The forest, the fields and the beautiful Daugava River that passes through the entire country. These are the souls of Latvia. 2. There are many festivals in Latvia. The most popular and amazing one is “The song and dance festival”. It is incredible that Latvia has kept this tradition for such a long time. Thousands of singers and dancers come to Riga/ Just to be together and share the feeling of unity. 3. It is amazing that Latvians still keep their traditional styles in their artwork. While other countries start to forget it slowly. / Here artists work hard and create spectacular artwork. They are always discovering new methods and studying new art styles. 4. After the long winters, Latvians dream about the summers and their traditional celebration of Midsummer Day, a day when every family comes together with chaplets around their heads. No one sleeps on that night. Everyone sings traditional songs and dances around the campfire. 5. Drawing has always been my passion. I decided to become an artist and I went to the art school in Ogre. I studied drawing and painting in the director’s studio, Peteris Aulmanis. / At first, my Latvian was not very good and I couldn’t understand what he was saying. But I watched how he drew. Without even saying a word, I could understand what he was teaching me. / The shape of the face is round like a sphere. 6. Speaking the language was the most difficult for me. Everyone looked at me strangely. I did not understand what they were saying . / They seemed uncomfortable around foreigners. 7. But everything became worse when the racists “expressed” their emotions. / Only Latvians and Russians live here. The Chinese don’t belong here! / I am not Chinese. I am Vietnamese. I live and study here. My friends are Latvians and Russians. 8. You idiot! If I see you again I will shoot you down!

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1. It was difficult for me to believe that these kinds of people live in this beautiful country. But I didn’t give up. Learning their language was the key to make them change their feelings about me. 2. Time passed and my Latvian got better. I had more friends and everyone became friendlier . / Hey, Kao! How are you? 3. In 2007 after arguing with my family I decided to live on my own. I didn’t have anywhere to stay and my teacher, Peteris, suggested that I live in his studio and that I sometimes help his students. It was a miracle that a Latvian family had accepted me! Peteris is not only my teacher, he is also my Latvian father. 4. History and mythology were my favourite themes and I was also interested in Latvian folklore and mythology. My favourite book was the epic Lāčplēsis- “The Bear Slayer,” written by Andrejs Pumpurs in the 19th Century. / The epic is about the hero who slayed a bear and led the Latvians in battle against the German invaders in the 13th Century. He stood against the dark knight. They fought until they fell into the Daugava. People say that the spirit of the Bear Slayer is still alive and that he still watches over his people. / The Bear Slayer became the national hero of Latvia. He symbolizes strength, courage, and virtue. The story about him inspired me in many ways, and eventually to draw a comic book about him. 5. In 2009 I graduated from the Jan Rozentals Art High School and for my diploma I presented “The chronicles of the Bear Slayer”. It was my first success and I was very happy. 6. Congratulations! It’s a pity that comics in Latvia are not well known. What are your plans for the future? / Thank you! I’d like to go to America to study comic art and become a professional comic artist. 7. Then I went to San Francisco in America to make my dream come true.

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1. America was like a dream. Everything there was modern and active. I learned many new things from the comic world... but then I realised... “Maybe everything here is not so perfect.” 2. There was one rule –even if you were very talented, you were nothing without money. / To study art here for one year, it costs 30,000 dollars . 3. Did that mean that only the rich could become artists? Was it fair? My friend Nick understood my situation and knew how I was feeling. / You are ready, because you have your purpose. Just keep going. Remember that you work for the entire world. 4. Nick was right. I decided to return to Latvia, home to many people that I loved. That was the place where I was appreciated for my first time. I wanted to prove with my own strength that I could make my dream come true. 5. At that time Latvians had to face their invisible enemy- the crisis. / Please give us money for food. I have 5 children and 2 dogs. 6. The long time battle against the crisis made people exhausted and the politicians ignored the people’s needs. / People! Believe me. Latvia’s economic situation has highly improved. It’s the greatest success story of Latvia. 7. The success story was costly. More than 30,000 Latvians left their homeland. / Bye Kao. We are moving to the UK. We found well-paying jobs there! 8. Those who stayed behind were ‘forced‘ to work difficult jobs for very low incomes. / 300 US with the tax. If you are not happy then go away. / But taxes are 21% of our incomes! How can my family and I live like this? / They don’t care about our situation. 9. Meanwhile more Latvians left their homeland and more foreigners came to take their places. / Welcome to Latvia / There isn’t a Chinatown here. Let’s build one! 10. People were unhappy about the situation in their country. They expressed their anger on the Internet / Who wants to live in a country where they get robbed everyday? / I agree. Unfortunately people don’t listen to each other’s opinions. / Just take a look. The rich people and the politicians can earn more than thousands of dollars each month. Many of them don’t pay taxes, but they claim that we are lazy and that we don’t want to work for our money.. / We work like slaves for very little money. This is hell! / Why don’t the people leave or try to change something? People complain, but they do nothing. / This doesn’t feel like my country anymore. There is no hope, no money.

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1. I studied at the Art Academy in Riga where students did not have to pay for their studies. I thought my life would be simple but I was wrong. I didn’t have enough money to live or to buy materials, so after two years I decided to quit school. 2. For the first time in my life I was scared. My family left Latvia to find better jobs. Some art studios invited me to work for them, but they couldn’t pay me enough because of the crisis. / Sorry, Kao. They didn’t give us enough money for the project, so this is all we can pay you right now. 3. The Latvians had many different opinions. / We can’t raise the minimum wage right now. It might happen next year...maybe. Don’t forget the great success story of Latvia. 4. My kids do not want to come home. They say that they can earn five times more abroad than in Latvia. I am so lonely. 5. I was fired. I worked there for 10 years. Why? 6. We don’t want to have a child. Look how poor we are right now. Children’s benefit is so small. I don’t want my child to have a difficult life like ours. 7. Hey, Drink this! This will help you forget everything. For Stalin! 8. We have a lot of thieves in our country, but we can’t change that. 9. Why are art and culture so important? Why should I pay taxes for such things? 10. Why is everyone so depressed? My family supports me and I can afford nice clothes. So why should they be jealous? 11. A plan? I don’t have one. I don’t know what I’m going to do after school... I ...haven’t decided yet. We’ll see. 12. Everything is more expensive! The Heating! The Flat! The Car! The Food! The Internet! It’s driving me crazy! 13. Although Latvia is a small country, it is strong. Latvia has gone through a lot of difficult times to earn its independence. In the 13th Century the Germans invaded Latvia, and then it was occupied by the Polish, the Danish and the Russians. The war destroyed Latvia for many years, but the Latvians never gave up. They gained their independence on November 18, 1918 and they could finally call themselves a free nation. / November 11, 1919 is also known as the Bear Slayer Day, because that day the Latvians proved their strength when they defeated the Bermontians. / At the beginning of World War II when the Soviet Union and the Germans occupied Latvian territory, the dream of being a free country slowly faded away. However, on August 21, 1991 Latvia restored its full independence once again. We shouldn’t forget how much they sacrificed for their country and their freedom. We don’t live in war anymore, but we still do not feel free. Each one of us needs patience, courage, virtue and sincerity to protect and cultivate our country.

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1. Nowadays people from all over the world live in Latvia. I guess they chose Latvia in the same way I did. It does not matter where you are from or what colour your skin is; if we feel connected to this country, we can live together like a big family. Everyone in Latvia has a duty to protect and make Latvia stronger. The best thing we can do is to treat each other with respect. / Hello! I’m from Africa. My wife is Latvian and I want to start my business here. / I’m Latvian. I live here to protect my country like my grandfather did. / Hi, I’m from Turkey .I want to introduce my Turkish sweets to Latvians / I’m from Japan. I really love living here - I’ve even learned some traditional songs / My nationality is Russian, but I was born and raised here. This is my homeland and I love it. 2. Many people have given up, but some of them are still fighting. There are not only Latvians, but also people from other countries. They love Latvia. As for me? I don’t want to give up. 3. I am still drawing the story about the Bear Slayer- the symbol of the Latvians’ strength. 4. Even during hard times you can still see someone smiling. That is hope, which gives us strength to rise again. 5. He, my hero, is still standing on the statue of freedom. 6. If he is standing here, it means he is fighting and protecting his motherland. I believe that everyone in Latvia can be like him. Someday I would like to see Latvia become strong and happy. / Many people leave their home with hopes and dreams to find a better place to live, work, and raise their families. The path that I have chosen isn’t easy at all, but it is leading me to fulfilling my dream. I want to instil the bear slayer in the hearts of every Latvian and improve this country. / This is my story about a Vietnamese who lives in Latvia.