05.01.2010.

Photos of Latvian Olympians can be seen in exhibition in Ventspils as of January

Along with the New – Olympic year, photos of the Latvian Olympic Calendar of 2010 can be viewed at the Olympic Centre Ventspils at Sporta Street 7/9, Ventspils. At the special exhibition, anyone who is interested can see all photos of Latvian sportsmen representing winter sports that are included in the Olympic calendar. The calendar and photo exhibition is dedicated to the Latvian Olympic Team that will start in XXI Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver (Canada) in the period of February 12-28, 2010. Both the calendar and the exhibition have been created as a result of collaboration between joint stock company Ventspils nafta and the Latvian Olympic Committee.

In the colored A2 format calendar, 12 photos portray 19 sportsmen who stand as candidates for a place in the Latvian Olympic Team. The calendar highlights determination and creativity of Latvian sportsmen during training with a view to inspire young generation to engage in sports activities.

The role of photo models was taken on by the bobsleigh crew of Jānis Miņins – Daumants Dreiškens, Intars Dambis, Oskars Melbārdis, hockey players Edgars Masaļskis and brothers Rēdlihi: Miķelis, Jēkabs, Krišjānis, biathletes Madara Līduma and Ilmārs Bricis, luge riders Maija Tīruma, Mārtiņš Rubenis, Juris and Andris Šici, short-tracker Evita Krievāne, cross-country skier Anete Brice, skeletonist Martins Dukurs, alpine skier Liene Fimbauere and snowboarder Toms Vasins.

In line with the concept of the calendar, the Latvian winter sports representatives have been photographed in a real training process in summer of 2009, thus reflecting particular exercises that are done by each individual sportsman on a daily basis. The calendar therefore has also an educational function and serves as a calling to turn to an active lifestyle, because it proves that if someone truly wants to do sports, what they need is not considerable financial resources, but inspiration and imagination.

The calendar is issued in 2500 copies and will not be used for commercial purposes. 1000 copies of the calendar is a gift from JSC Ventspils nafta to sportsmen, trainers, physicians and support staff of the Olympic Team of Latvia, federations of Olympic winter sports, sports veterans, sports support organizations, Olympic centers, etc.

A/s Ventspils nafta kalendāru pasniegusi arī kā dāvinājumu Ventspils izglītības iestādēm, bibliotēkām, bērnu namam un pansionātam Selga.

Whereas 12 large-sized printed photos, for which a modern and convenient demonstration form is used, can be viewed in the exhibition.

The photo gallery of the sportsmen can be viewed also in web-site www.vnafta.lv in the section Supported Projects.

Design of the calendar has been developed by Rhino design agency and Redstudio, author of photos is Viesturs Masteiko.

30.11.2009.

JSC Ventspils nafta gives the Olympic Calendars as gifts to Ventspils schools and libraries

Joint stock company Ventspils nafta has sent a gift to educational institutions and libraries of Ventspils. All the city's general, primary and interest educational institutions, as well as Ventspils University College, Vocational Secondary School and five libraries will receive the Latvian Olympic Calendar of 2010, which was issued with the company's support. The calendars are sent to the Ventspils Administration of Education, through which they will be received by all the addressees.

JSC Ventspils nafta has published the Olympic Calendar 2010 in collaboration with the Latvian Olympic Committee (LOC), and it is a dedication to the Latvian Olympic Team that will start in the XXI Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver (Canada) in the period of February 12–28 next year.

In the colored A2 format calendar, 12 photos portray 19 sportsmen who stand as candidates for a place in the Latvian Olympic Team. The calendar highlights determination and creativity of Latvian sportsmen during training with a view to inspire for achievements also during time when the financial situation in the Latvian society has considerably worsened.

The role of photo models was taken on by the bobsleigh crew of Jānis Miņins – Daumants Dreiškens, Intars Dambis, Oskars Melbārdis, hockey players Edgars Masaļskis and brothers Rēdlihi: Miķelis, Jēkabs, Krišjānis, biathletes Madara Līduma and Ilmārs Bricis, luge riders Maija Tīruma, Mārtiņš Rubenis, Juris and Andris Šici, short-tracker Evita Krievāne, cross-country skier Anete Brice, skeletonist Martins Dukurs, alpine skier Liene Fimbauere and snowboarder Toms Vasins.

In line with the concept of the calendar, the Latvian winter sports representatives have been photographed in a real training process in summer of 2009, thus reflecting particular exercises that are done by each individual sportsman on a daily basis. The calendar therefore has also an educational function and serves as a calling to turn to an active lifestyle, because it proves that if someone truly wants to do sports, what they need is not considerable financial resources, but inspiration and imagination.

The calendar is issued in 2500 copies and will not be used for commercial purposes. 1000 copies of the calendar is a gift from JSC Ventspils nafta to sportsmen, trainers, physicians and support staff of the Olympic Team of Latvia, federations of Olympic winter sports, sports veterans, sports support organizations, Olympic centers, etc.

The photos of sportsmen included in the Olympic Calendar of 2010 can be seen also in the travelling exhibition, which was initially presented in the Olympic Sports Centre in Riga, and travels further also to regional Olympic sports centers of Latvia. Currently, the exhibition can be viewed at the Liepāja Olympic Centre. The photo gallery of sportsmen can also be viewed also in the website www.vnafta.lv

Design of the calendar has been developed by Rhino design agency and Redstudio, author of photos is Viesturs Masteiko.

Latvia could be represented in Vancouver by about 60 Olympians in nine disciplines of six sports types. Joint stock company Ventspils nafta is the official supporter of the Olympic Movement in Latvia and has given a donation of 900,000 lats for 2009.

27.10.2009.

The Latvian Olympic Calendar of 2010 issued

At the time when it is almost 100 days until the XXI Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver (Canada), joint stock company Ventspils nafta in collaboration with the Latvian Olympic Committee (LOC) has issued the Olympic Calendar of 2010 – a dedication to the Latvian Olympic Team that will start in Vancouver in the period of February 12 – 28 next year.

In the colored A2 format calendar, 12 photos portray 19 sportsmen who stand as candidates for a place in the Latvian Olympic Team. The calendar highlights determination and creativity of Latvian sportsmen during training with a view to inspire for achievements also during time when the financial situation in the Latvian society has considerably worsened.

The role of photo models was taken on by the bobsleigh crew of Jānis Miņins – Daumants Dreiškens, Intars Dambis, Oskars Melbārdis, hockey players Edgars Masaļskis and brothers Rēdlihi: Miķelis, Jēkabs, Krišjānis, biathletes Madara Līduma and Ilmārs Bricis, luge riders Maija Tīruma, Mārtiņš Rubenis, Juris and Andris Šici, short-tracker Evita Krievāne, cross-country skier Anete Brice, skeletonist Martins Dukurs, alpine skier Liene Fimbauere and snowboarder Toms Vasins.

In line with the concept of the calendar, the Latvian winter sports representatives have been photographed in a real training process in summer of 2009, thus reflecting particular exercises that are done by each individual sportsman on a daily basis. The calendar therefore has also an educational function and serves as a calling to turn to an active lifestyle, because it proves that if someone truly wants to do sports, what they need is not considerable financial resources, but inspiration and imagination.

“We really hope that with this beautiful calendar, we have succeeded to show the essence of Latvian sportsmen – their joyfulness, enthusiasm, intelligence, elegance and determination when preparing for the possible starts at the Olympic Winter Games. Because exactly the process of these trainings is the most important and determinant daily component of any sportsman, and the probable future victories and also losses depend on that,” emphasizes the President of JSC Ventspils nafta Olga Pētersone.

Whereas the President of LOC Aldons Vrubļevskis views Vancouver optimistically and asks to remember history: “Canada will host the Olympics for already the third time. Until now, that has been a favorable place for Latvian sportsmen to reach the Olympic peaks. Six Olympic medals were obtained the Olympic Games in Montreal in 1976, and five medals – in the snow-clad Calgary in 1988. Therefore, we truly hope that fortune will be on the side of our Olympians in Canada!”

The calendar is issued in 2500 copies and will not be used for commercial purposes. 1000 copies of the calendar will be a gift from JSC Ventspils nafta that will be received by sportsmen, trainers, physicians and support staff of the Olympic Team of Latvia, federations of Olympic winter sports, sports veterans, sports support organizations, Olympic centers, etc. It is planned to give the calendars as a gift also to Ventspils libraries and schools.

It will be possible to see the photos of sportsmen included in the Olympic Calendar of 2010 also in the travelling exhibition, which has been initially presented in the Olympic Sports Centre in Riga, Grostonas Street 6b. However later it will visit also regional Olympic sports centers of Latvia, as well as other publicly available locations in the country. The photo gallery can be viewed also in the website www.vnafta.lv.

Design of the calendar has been developed by Rhino design agency and Redstudio, author of photos is Viesturs Masteiko.

Latvia could be represented in Vancouver by about 60 Olympians in nine disciplines of six sports types. It is already known that Latvian hockey players and biathletes will participate in the Olympics, yet positions in teams of bobsleigh, luge, skeleton, alpine skiing, short track, snowboard and cross country skiing are open for competition.

Joint stock company Ventspils nafta is the official supporter of the Olympic Movement in Latvia and has given a donation of 900,000 lats for 2009.

26.10.2009.

The Olympic Calendar of 2010 that was created with support of JSC Ventspils nafta will be presented

It will soon be 100 days until opening of the XXI Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, and for that reason, the Olympic Calendar of 2010 will be presented tomorrow, October 27, 2009. The calendar has been created in close collaboration of joint stock company Ventspils nafta and the Latvian Olympic Committee (LOC).

The opening event of the calendar will take place at the Olympic Sports Centre at Grostonas Street 6b, Riga at 1:00 PM, and participants of the event will include models of the calendar – Olympians representing winter sports – who are currently in Latvia, authors and enforcers of the calendar’s artistic concept, as well as heads of JSC Ventspils nafta and LOC. Also a photo exhibition of the Olympians will opened at the Olympic Sports Centre at the same time – it is planned as a travelling exhibition and will be presented also in regional Olympic sports centers, as well as other publicly available locations in Latvia.

The calendar will not be used for commercial purposes – 1000 copies of it will be received by sportsmen, trainers, physicians and support staff of the Olympic Team of Latvia, federations of Olympic winter sports, sports veterans, sports support organizations, Olympic centers, etc. as a gift from JSC Ventspils nafta. It is planned to give the calendars as a gift also to Ventspils libraries and schools.

Latvia could be represented in Vancouver by about 60 Olympians in nine disciplines of six sports types. It is already known that Latvian hockey players and biathletes will participate in the Olympics, yet positions in teams of bobsleigh, luge, skeleton, alpine skiing, short track, snowboard and cross country skiing are open for competition.

Joint stock company Ventspils nafta is the official supporter of the Olympic Movement in Latvia and has given a donation of 900,000 lats for 2009. The donated resources are intended for development of Olympic sports, inter alia for preparation of the Olympic team for starts in Vancouver, and implementation of regional development programs of LOC. These programs are implemented by LOC in collaboration with sports federations and municipalities.

12.02.2009.

JSC Ventspils nafta becomes a supporter of the Olympic Movement

In the difficult economic conditions of the state, JSC Ventspils nafta has decided to become the official supporter of the Olympic Movement in Latvia again after a break of several years, by allocating a donation for this year amounting LVL 900’000. This is the first donation contract entered into by the Latvian Olympic Committee (LOC) in 2009 with the supporter of the Olympic Movement.

It is planned to use the donated resources for development of regional sports programs of LOC, including for preparation of the Olympic team for starts at the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games (2010).

“During this difficult and economically complicated time for Latvia, we have found a possibility to support the Latvian Olympic Movement again and to help our sportsmen to achieve their goals whilst representing Latvia in the world. JSC Ventspils nafta proudly and with interest keeps trackof participation of Latvian sportsmen at international contests. We are glad that the name of our country has become more recognizable for both sports organizers and devotees worldwide,” the Chairman of the Management Board for JSC Ventspils nafta Olga Petersone pointed out when signing the contract.

Whereas the President of LOC Aldons Vrublevskis emphasizes with satisfaction: “In the conditions of financial crisis, the concluded contract will give considerable support to sports programs and will further growth of our Olympians, which is very important in the year of Olympic qualification. There is no field that is doing well at the moment. For that reason we feel proud and honored that JSC Ventspils nafta has been brave and determined enough to help the sport life in five Olympic rings. I hope that this cooperation will bring new results.”

JSC Ventspils nafta is traditionally active supporter of sports activities. Collaboration of LOC and JSC Ventspils nafta also has enduring historical base as it started already in 1995. One of the most up-to-date sports buildings in the Baltics – the Olympic Centre Ventspils – was built during collaboration, and the centre is still being improved. Different sports, including basketball, bobsleigh, track and field athletics, cycling, and other sports have been supported within the framework of investment and sportsmen support programs of LOC.

10.11.2008.

The first solo exhibition of the professor of the Academy of Arts Pēteris Postažs in Ventspils takes place at the Business Centre of JSC Ventspils nafta

The professor of the Academy of Arts Pēteris Postažs has actively exposed his art works in both countless collective exhibitions in Latvia and foreign countries and solo exhibitions already since 1965. However, his first solo exhibition in Ventspils can only be visited now. The art works of P.Postažs made in various techniques, genres and compositions can be seen at the Business Centre of JSC Ventspils nafta until December 5 of this year, thereby continuing to popularize the works of the most talented Latvian artists.

The range of interests of P.Postažs is wide, but the used means of expression are often very different. The compositions made by him can have both epic-monumental and also still and contemplating trend. The technical quests of the artist are attractive and reasoned, and the people having good knowledge in painting are delighted by the color shades, variations of texture and at the same time virtuosic and excitingly laconic layout of ideas. Also references to thoroughly studied pictorial art of world’s old masters can be felt in the works of P.Postažs.

“Painting – it means color. Painting can be both many-colored and monochrome. What is important is that it must be tinted,” says the artist himself. Whereas art experts emphasize – the creative expressions of P.Postažs can be ranked as themes and means of expression with genuinely Latvian mentality – natural profoundness, steadiness and good working habits can be felt in them. The “taste” of these qualities can be felt with a true enjoyment in the message of a painting.

P.Postažs was born in 1940; he studied at the Janis Rozentals Art Highschool and at the Latvian Academy of Arts. He graduated the academy under guidance of Eduards Kalniņš.

This is already the eleventh exhibition organized by JSC Ventspils nafta, drawing the art and business environment together and giving a possibility of seeing the works of various Latvian artists for collaboration partners and employees of JSC Ventspils nafta, as well as for the visitors of the Business Centre.

The solo exhibition of P.Postažs can be visited by arranging an appointment by telephone No. 63666934.

12.05.2008.

Beautiful art and atmosphere of the Livonian Coast at the JSC Ventspils nafta Business Centre

On Friday, 9 May, solo exhibitions of two remarkable painters – Imants Vecozols and Juris Jurjāns – were presented in the premises of the Business Centre of JSC Ventspils nafta. This exhibition of the works of art of these outstanding artists was already the tenth exhibition organized by JSC Ventspils nafta since involving in popularizing the works of the most talented Latvian artists in business environment, thereby providing an opportunity of seeing these works for the employees, clients and cooperation partners of JSC Ventspils nafta, as well as the visitors of the centre. The visitors of the exhibition also had an opportunity to familiarize with another artistic event supported by JSC Ventspils nafta – the original photographs of Jānis Mednis and modern sounds of Livonian music of Raimonds Tiguls from the unique photo and music album Zaļš, Balts, Zils (Green Blue White) dedicated to environment and people of the Livonian Coast.

“In this way art is supplemented by art here in the Business Centre of JSC Ventspils nafta tonight,” highlighted the Chairperson of the Management Board of JSC Ventspils nafta Olga Pētersone during her opening speech when talking on a kind of synthesis between the paintings, photographs and the music.

The professor of the Latvian Academy of Arts Imants Vecozols (1933) involved in art in the 1950s and started early search for his individual style of expression and aesthetic ideals. I.Vecozols graduated the Academy of Arts with distinction in 1960 and his diploma paper was supervised by the outstanding painter Eduards Kalniņš. I.Vecozols has been participating in exhibitions since 1958. He can be considered as a follower of the traditions of tonal painting of Valdemārs Tone and Konrāds Ubāns. His works can be characterized by a scanty yet extraordinarily expressive and attractive pictorial form, the roots of which lie in the best traditions of Latvian painting. Whereas the still-life paintings of I.Vecozols attracts by their balanced state, peace and softened emotionality in both the selection of objects and the solution of colours. I.Vecozols is a bright individuality in Latvian painting, possibly, owing to the harmony between the content and the softened colour tones in his works.

The professor of the Academy of Arts Juris Jurjāns (1944) graduated academy in 1969 and has been participating in exhibitions ever since. He has had more than 30 solo exhibitions. The art historian Ingrīda Burāne tells: “He found his own theme and its original solution early and did not take much account of the official viewpoints adopted by the society. Children, nature, plants, butterflies and birds are the main environment causing repercussion for the creative impulsions of J.Jurjāns – buoyancy, friskiness and the range of colours, which is in his character.” By developing the initially set basic values, J.Jurjāns has not only preserved this buoyancy but also attested it, by seeking possibilities of expression in the richness of realism forms deliberately and being able to recede playfully in a rompish abstraction. J.Jurjāns has admitted that he likes to use golden colour and oil-paint technique in paintings – this technique was familiar in Byzantium and during renaissance. It allows raising the ordinary and humanly attractive aspects to a different level.

Whereas Zaļš, Balts, Zils is an untraditionally created album of images and music combining the tempers of Livonian cultural environment in photographs and music and representing the colours of the Livonian national flag in its title. This album is the first published art edition about this interesting place in Latvia – the Livonian coast – and is published and organized by Kolkasrags Ltd and Jānis Dambītis.

JSC Ventspils nafta has involved in supporting projects on Livonian culture previously, holding a view that the Livonian coast is a bright nuance in the common mosaic of Latvian regions with its geographical, cultural and historical uniqueness, and its value must be preserved for the next generations and popularized in the world.

09.05.2008.

The outstanding art of Imants Vecozols and Juris Jurjāns at the Business Centre of JSC Ventspils nafta

Continuing the tradition of popularizing the works of Latvian artists, solo exhibitions of two remarkable Latvian painters – Imants Vecozols and Juris Jurjāns – will be presented in the premises of the Business Centre of JSC Ventspils nafta on Friday, 9 May. This will be already the ninth and tenth exhibition since 2004 when the first art exhibitions were organized in the Business Centre of JSC Ventspils nafta, providing an opportunity of seeing these works for the employees, clients and cooperation partners of JSC Ventspils nafta, as well as the visitors of the centre.

The professor of the Latvian Academy of Arts Imants Vecozols (1933) involved in art in the 1950s and started early search for his individual style of expression and aesthetic ideals. I.Vecozols graduated the Academy of Arts with distinction in 1960 and his diploma paper was supervised by the outstanding painter Eduards Kalniņš. I.Vecozols has been participating in exhibitions since 1958. He can be considered as a follower of the traditions of tonal painting of Valdemārs Tone and Konrāds Ubāns.

As art historians emphasize, in the exhibitions of 70s-80s, the works of I.Vecozols stood out with a consistent interest in the basic values of the life of peasants, now still fascinating with a peculiar view into the past, faith in all the natural and traditional.

His works can be characterized by a scanty yet extraordinarily expressive and attractive pictorial form, the roots of which lie in the best traditions of Latvian painting. Whereas the still-life paintings of I.Vecozols attracts by their balanced state, peace and softened emotionality in both the selection of objects and the solution of colours. I.Vecozols is a bright individuality in Latvian painting, possibly, owing to the harmony between the content and the softened colour tones in his works. Painting design, softened relations between lights and shades, subtle colour schemes and gradations of texture created by stroke of the brush – all that together characterizes the uniqueness of I.Vecozols and his special spot in the big picture of the rich Latvian painting art.

The professor of the Academy of Arts Juris Jurjāns (1944) graduated academy in 1969 and has been participating in exhibitions ever since. He has had more than 30 solo exhibitions. The art historian Ingrīda Burāne tells: “He found his own theme and its original solution early and did not take much account of the official viewpoints adopted by the society. Children, nature, plants, butterflies and birds are the main environment causing repercussion for the creative impulsions of J.Jurjāns – buoyancy, friskiness and the range of colours, which is in his character.” By developing the initially set basic values, J.Jurjāns has not only preserved this buoyancy but also attested it, by seeking possibilities of expression in the richness of realism forms deliberately and being able to recede playfully in a rompish abstraction. J.Jurjāns has admitted that he likes to use golden colour and oil-paint technique in paintings – this technique was familiar in Byzantium and during renaissance. It allows raising the ordinary and humanly attractive aspects to a different level.

“In his works, J.Jurjāns addresses the onlookers on the issues that have been and are important for people creating and aspiring to a more beautiful wholesome life in this world,” says I.Burāne.

At the moment, also the works of more than ten other familiar Latvian artists (including Džemma Skulme, Edīte Pauls-Vīgnere, Aivars Gulbis, Vija Zariņa, J.Jurjānis, Kaspars Zariņš, Inese Brants, Gunārs Krollis, Signe Vanadziņa, Vita Valdmane, Vita Merca, Andra Dīriņa, etc.) are placed at the Business Centre and offices of JSC Ventspils nafta.