Karoline Zobens-East is a third generation British Latvian whose grandparents moved to Yorkshire after the Second World War. She co-founded www.latviesiem.co.uk. We spoke to Karoline about the Latvian community in London:

I was born in London but from birth have been heavily involved in the Latvian community both in London and England. Although not an EU migrant myself, I interact daily with people who have moved to London from Latvia recently.

The Latvian Community in London

It’s difficult to know the exact number of Latvians living in London, but recent figures suggest the number could be around 20,000. The community itself is much smaller and we can usually expect around 200 people at a large scale event inLondon.

The community is very active with a choir, a traditional dance group, a school and various other organisations and groups. The community actively organises all sorts of events from theatre productions, music concerts and karaoke evenings, to Independence Day celebrations and more formal, traditional celebrations.

The London Latvian House

The London Latvian House is the beating heart of the Latvian community in London: Latvian people, food, drink, music, and atmosphere. It’s the only place in London you will feel the traditions of Latvia at any time of the year.

When the Latvian House was originally bought by the Latvian Welfare Fund (back in the 1950s) its purpose was to be the central meeting point for Latvians in London so they could feel at home away from home.

Nothing much has changed since then. It gives all Latvians in London and the UK a place to stay, to meet friends (there’s a bar in the basement) and to hold all sorts of events.

The choir, dance group and school all use the Latvian house for their rehearsals and classes and the hall provides a perfect space for a small scale concert.

The Latvian bar is a place where Latvians can enjoy Latvian music, food, beer and sports on a regular basis. There are always Latvian beers available to buy, as well as stronger drinks, and on Fridays and Saturdays it’s possible to eat a traditional Latvian supper cooked by Latvian chefs. Every evening ends up in the favourite Latvian pastime – song!

In addition to all this there is also a Latvian library in the house which is open a few days a week which has a vast collection of Latvian books.

I think the Latvian House will also provide Latvians in London a place to come and watch Latvians competing in the Olympic Games. I expect the men’s BMX races to of particular interest, as the current Olympic champion happens to be a Latvian!

Where to Sample Latvian Culture

Apart from the Latvian House and specific events organised by the community, I don’t believe there are any other places in London where you can experience Latvian culture.

However, Latvian produce is available at most Polish and Lithuanian shops so it’s always possible to find a Latvian delight for your dinner!

Setting Up latviesiem.co.uk

I set up latviesiem.co.uk around two years ago, with a friend who moved to England from Latvia. Apart from a couple of websites and newspapers, we felt there was a lack of information about Latvian communities in the UK, and for Latvians who have recently moved to the UK.

We have information designed to help Latvians settle into life in the UK, as well as news about and for Latvians living in the UK. Here they can find travel, education, work and emergency information. Our main audience is Latvians living in the UK, therefore, most of the website is in Latvian.

Is there anywhere else you can experience Latvian culture in London? Tell us in the comments below.

Now, we return to the British Museum’s incredible hoard, to look at a slice of Libyan life on display in the capital.

In Room 68, you can see the Fatimid dinar, which were minted in Tarablus in Tripoli, Libya in AH 465 / AD 1072-73.

The British Museum’s website explains the importance of these coins:

When the Muslim Fatimid dynasty (909-1171) came to power, they brought with them direct access to the gold sources of West Africa. On his arrival in Cairo, the caliph al-Mu’izz (953-75) is said to have come with 500 camels bearing gold and other riches. Islamic medieval gold coins were made of very pure gold, and so were highly valued in trade. They also had an impact on the coinage of their neighbours. Imitations of Islamic dinars are found in Sicily, Spain and in the Crusader kingdoms.

Do you know of any other examples of Libyan objects on display in London?

Among the vast array of objects on display, you can find two coins from the Republic of Liberia in West Africa, dating from the 1830s.

Like the rest of the items on display in this gallery, the “copper cent tokens” from Liberia tell a fascinating story.

Just 28mm in diameter, and weighing less than 12 grams, these tiny tokens are powerful reminders of the relationship between Liberia and the United States, as well as being symbols of the liberation from slavery.

The coin depicts a figure planting a palm tree with a ship in the background, with the inscription LIBERIA, and the date 1833.

Liberia was established 10 years before this coin was issued, in 1821-22, as a settlement for freed slaves from the United States of America. Initially, money in Liberia consisted of American dollars and cents. However, in 1833 the American Colonization Society started producing low-value copper tokens for use in Liberia. The coins were valued as cent pieces.

The other side of this piece of 17th-century Liberia clearly indicates that this coin was issued by the American Colonization Society.

Liberia gained independence in 1847, becoming the first republic in Africa. By 1896, Liberia issued its own official currency, continuing to use the cent, and adding silver 10, 25 and 50 cent pieces. To this day, Liberian currency is based on the US dollar.

Don’t miss this little piece of Liberia in Room 68 of the British Museum next time you visit.

Do you know of any other examples of Liberian culture in London? Let us know in the comments below.

If you’re after a taste of Lebanon in London, Mona Usher can organise anything from Lebanese cooking lessons to a full-on Lebanese party complete with belly dancers and camels.

Mona agreed to share a couple of recipes with us for our World in London series.

Baba Ghanouj

• Two large aubergines
• One small garlic clove
• Two lemons
• Four tablespoons of tahina
• Half a teaspoon of salt
• Olive oil and fresh mint for garnish

Prick the fresh aubergine with a knife and put it on a baking tray under the grill. Grill each side for 10 minutes or until the skin is burnt slightly. When it is ready, cut the skin open with a knife and scoop the flesh with a spoon into a large bowl.  Don’t worry if you have a few black bits stuck to the aubergine. Crush the garlic and add it to the mixture with the rest of the ingredients, and with a pestle or fork mash the mixture until smooth and creamy. Garnish the baba ghanouj with olive oil and mint. Leave it in the fridge to chill. Best served with warm pitta bread and shallots.

Fatoush

• Half a bunch of flat parsley
• A handful of baby lettuce if available
• Fifteen leaves of cos lettuce
• Two tomatoes
• One avocado
• One cucumber
• One green pepper
• One bunch of radish
• Twenty mint leaves
• Two lemons
• One teaspoon of salt
• Two tablespoons of vinegar
• Half a cup of olive oil
• One teaspoon of sumac (tangy Lebanese red spice) if available
• One Lebanese pitta bread

Wash all the vegetables and cut into bite-sized pieces. Cover the bowl and leave it in the fridge. Squeeze the lemon juice into a large cup, add olive oil, salt, sumac and vinegar. Leave it to one side until ready to serve. Grill the bread on both sides, either in the oven or in the toaster, till golden. (Lebanese bread burns very quickly.) Cut the bread into small pieces. When you are ready to serve the salad pour the lemon juice mixture on the vegetables, sprinkle the bread on top and give it a good mix.  Serve immediately.

Where do you go for a taste of Lebanon in London? Let us know in the comments below.

The prince reigned for 71 years, from 1858 to 1929, making him one of the longest reigning monarchs in history.

Unfortunately the photo’s not on display at the moment, but it is among 75,000 images that you can purchase on the fantastic National Portrait Gallery website.

The prints make great Christmas presents and there’s a huge choice: you can buy anything from a poster of Kate Moss to a print of Henry VIII by Hans Holbein the Younger. 

For more details visit the National Portrait Gallery’s online shop.

Do you know of more Liechtenstein culture in London? Tell us about it in the comments below.

At Visit London, we always thought Luxembourg might be among the more difficult World in London countries to cover. Luckily, London’s incredibly eclectic art collections came to the rescue.

As well as work by Luxembourgers Pierre-Joseph Redouté and Edward Steichen among the collection at the V&A, we found award-winning photographer Marianne Majerus – whose work is in the online collection at the National Portrait Gallery – also comes from Luxembourg.

Majerus is a portrait and garden photographer who regularly contributes to a number of UK national newspapers and magazines. Her portfolio of work includes more than 180,000 images, and she was awarded this year’s International Garden Photographer of the Year for her stunning image Layered Landscape: A Moment Captured (above).

I caught up with Marianne – who has lived in London for 25 years – and asked her about her life in the capital.

Majerus lives in Islington and has an obvious love for the area: “Islington is a vibrant area with cafes, restaurants, theatres and cinemas,” she said. “And it is close to some great museums.”

The 54 year-old moved to London “for the professional opportunities,” but she admits she does miss the beautiful countryside of her homeland.

While Luxembourgish home comforts are limited in London, (Majerus cites the Luxembourg Embassy as the part of London that most resembles her country), she has taken the city to her heart.

As well as recommending Sir John Soane’s Museum, she notes the view from Island Gardens across the River Thames to Greenwich as a “breathtaking but rarely seen” hidden gem.

Majerus’ work can be found in the online collection of the National Portrait Gallery. Most of London’s major museums and galleries have an online collection on their websites so why not have a look; you may uncover some seldom seen masterpieces yourself!

For more information on Marianne Majerus’ work, visit her website www.mariannemajerus.com

Do you know of any Luxembourgish events, places or famous Luxembourgers in London?