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Morten’s Column
Dear SSE Riga community,
After the release of our first Insider we heard a lot of
good and not so good comments from the people
around us. We would like to thank those who shared
their own opinion and also to those who dedicated
some of their precious time to write some interesting
articles. However, it’s not anymore a secret that the
number of the latter has been decreasing recently.
People, what’s wrong with you? Of course, we
understand Y2 who had their Financial Economics and
Y3 who were writing their Bachelor Theses. But what
happened to all those overly active Y1?
People come to us asking: “when are we going to see
the new Insider?” But there’s one minor thing that, it
seems, they do not understand: Without YOUR
CONTRIBUTION there just cannot be a new INSIDER.
Every single student of our school is a potential
member of the Insider team. Maybe it’s our fault
people do not understand this. Maybe there is a lack of
incentives and/or recognition. Well, we’ll see what we
can do about that. Meanwhile, we would like to
encourage all of you to come to our next meeting and
see that it can be really fun.
By this short appeal we do not mean to insult or offend
anyone. We just want the best newspaper of SSE Riga
to become even better.
Yours,
The Insider team
Economics in Soros = economics in “real life”
It has been a quite turbulent time for the Baltic to ensure a guest lecture by the Prime Minister or
economies in general, for Latvia's in particular and the Finance Minister??? Well, I better not think
certainly also for this columnist since the last issue about it – have already had enough excitement for a
of The Insider. To put it mildly, actually….. decade or two…... In the meantime, however, I shall
But I was obviously very pleased to see that it gave enjoy the fact that living here for me is like being in
our school an opportunity to invite Bank of Latvia an economics laboratory – things keep happening
governor, Ilmârs Rimðçviès, to provide a guest and I can (mostly) explain them using economic
lecture. Most delightful to me, however, was the theory: Inflation, current account deficit, growth,
fact that this provides an opportunity to show that wage increases, consumption boom etc. etc.
people from “real life” actually discuss the exact Ahhhh! Spring is here and that is great! But even
same issues and variables that so often are better, lots of intriguing economics issues are
portrayed on the blackboard, be it in looming – 2007 indeed looks promising from an
Macroeconomics or European Studies. economist's point of view!
I wonder what sort of article I should write in order
2|INSIDER May 2007

Info.com
Advisory Board Minutes Investment Fund March 27
After Jûratë had left to Education Committee, The Investment Game 2007 finished on the On the occasion of the visit by H.E. Minister
the seat of Year 1 Lithuanians in the Advisory 10th of April, having a record number of of State for External Affairs of the Republic
Board was left empty. SA called for new participants (6108) from various countries. of India Mr. Anand Sharma, the Latvian
candidates, and 8 people showed their The closing ceremony for the winners will Institute of International Affairs together
interest. After short introductions of each take place at the SSE Riga in the end of April. with the Stockholm School of Economics in
candidate, Year 1 Lithuanians had an The first place will receive 500 EUR in cash Riga held a lecture "India's Foreign Policy".
opportunity to e-vote for their preference.
Aurimas Raèas won the elections by getting 9
votes and was declared to be the new
representative in ABM. He claims he is ready
to defend the interests of Year 1 Lithuanians
as well as to spread the gossips heard from the
very top SSE people.
Board Game Club
and 1 ounce of pure gold. The students who
helped in organizing and running the Game
this year will of course have some bonuses.
The Fund is currently holding positions in
Lithuanian and Estonian stocks and real
estate funds; more information about the
Fund's trading can be found on www.ifund.lv
The scholarship for the Macroeconomics
March 28
Ilmârs Rimðçviès, Governor, Bank of Latvia,
held a lecture on "The Latvian Economy:
Latest Development, Trends and Future
Prospects". Discussants in the event were
Viesturs Neimanis, President and Chairman
of the Board, SEB Unibanka, and Morten
Hansen, Head of Economics Department,
The club now has a nice bookcase for storing course in amount of 200 LVL is waiting for SSE Riga.
board games in the Peak Time room. Some
months ago the club also got some new
games. There are some ideas about making a
Settlers championship in May. The club, as
always, meets every Monday, and the games
are available to anyone who wants to take
them and play.
Charity Group
In order to get funds, the group looked for the
companies in Latvia with social corporate
responsibility. In March, letters to 35
different sponsors were sent. On the 27th of
March SEB Unibanka phoned and offered a
donation of computers (about 15).
On the 5th of April Blood Donor center was
collecting blood in Latvian Nature Museum.
Charity group participated in this activity.
Each person, who donated blood, received a
specially designed card which served as an
entrance card to the Takeover party.
In May the group is planning a trip with the
orphanage Ziluks.
Days of Opportunities
the top score!
IT support
IT support is currently working on the new
SA website which, hopefully, will be
officially launched this year. The IT support
page is also planned to be filled with some
more useful information. However, there are
no plans to improve the situation with
wireless at the school in the near future.
Je Joue
The Je Joue team is intensively preparing for
the event. This year it is going to be quite
different from the previous years. This year
Thursday is the “Je Joue day”. The event will
start on the 17th of May. Some guests are
planning to visit Je Joue (graduates and
people from other schools). All the
information will be announced soon.
Young Professionals Database
After a break the Young Professionals
database, created to promote SSE Riga
students to the labor force market, is back
again. A team of three Y1 students – Ramunë
March 28
A seminar (BICEPS/SSE Riga Seminar
Series) on “Business Government Relations
in Transition Countries and the New Theories
of Growth” was held by Professor Giorgio
Dominese (LUISS International University
of Rome and University of Udine).
March 29
The lecture on "Culture's Recent
Consequences” was given by Professor Geert
Hofstede. Geert Hofstede is Professor
Emeritus of Organizational Anthropology
and International Management of the
University of Maastricht in the Netherlands.
Through the publication in the USA of his
scholarly book "Culture's Consequences”, he
became a founder of comparative
intercultural research; his ideas are used
worldwide.
March 29
Arturs Skroderis, SSE Riga graduate (the
class of 2000) has published an exciting book
about his travelling experiences around the
Days of Opportunities took place on Friday, Rimgailaitë, Martins Veiss and Deniss world. The book was presented to the
the 13th of April. This year, 50 companies Aksjonovs – are ready to work and develop community of SSER, and a copy of it given to
participated. The event started with the the system. More news will come in the the library.
opening ceremony, where the Minister of
Foreign Affairs of Latvia Artis Pabriks and
representatives from the Lithuanian and
Estonian embassies welcomed the
participants. Company presentations took
place throughout the day. Ieva Plaude, the
nearest future.
Student Association
Business.com: Days of Opportunities will
make more profits this year as more
companies participated in the event.
April 11
A seminar (BICEPS/SSE Riga Seminar
Series) on “Fiscal Policies and Business
Cycles in an Enlarged Euro Area” was held
by Karsten Staehr, Bank of Estonia.
Chairwoman of the Board of "KOLONNA",
held a guest lecture on modern leadership.
After the closing ceremony a banquet
followed.
FLOW
Info.com: An amount of 2000 Ls was
received from Hansabanka. The money was
divided among student activities: the Charity
Group, the Choir, the Guide for Newcomers,
Je Joue, and SA.
April 16
Dr. Miroslaw Jarosinski made a presentation
about graduate studies at Warsaw School of
Economics. Informative session was held in
order to introduce the new graduate
After meeting their godfather Larry, FLOW Party.com: The Takeover party took place on opportunities to study International Business
re-visualised their vision of the organization. the 13th of April. in English.
They are planning to finally launch the
website; however, they are struggling with
this a bit due to lack of support from SSER IT
team. Moreover, FLOW is trying to get some
funding from EU and to participate in several
seminars about leadership across Europe.
PR.com: The Congress of Latvian Student
Union took place on the 7th of April. SSER
suggested revising the annual payment
formula.
Sports.com: Table football is back to SSER
again.
April 19
Dr. Manuel Medina Ortega, Member of the
European Parliament, held an open guest
lecture on "The Immigration Policy of the
EU". The event was co-organized with the
Embassy of Spain
2007 May INSIDER|3

Siblings
Hola Hola! It seems like the SSER
community is full of extraordinary people:
some can sing, dance or play music
instruments; some can sleep 8 lectures in a
row; some has strong hands to juggle with
Finance books, etc… But Anna, Elina (Y3)
and Erik (Y2) have found their way to be
unique. They are the Lebedoks family, the
only one that has its 3 members in SSE
Riga. Siblings are back to the top with
Anna's and Elina's charming smiles and
Erik's sense of humor.
Lebedoks’ family
Heyya! Nice to meet you! I already sense of humor as all 3 Lebedoks do. Erik: Maybe this also influenced you
know something about you, but, I Do you remember the time when to enter this school?
guess, some of our readers do not. she was entering the SSER? What Elina: Yes. Thank you, Erik.
But they should know as much as were her feelings? Mmm…Where is your sister now, by
possible about your unique family,
st
Erik: She finished Riga 1 the way? And what are her future
which is represented by its 3 Gymnasium and had no difficulties plans?
members in the SSER community. in getting here. In that year around Elina: She is the Marketing Director
At first, I would like you to 20 people from her class entered and responsible for Brand
introduce yourselves to our readers. the SSER.
interview by Positive Infinity
Development in McCann.
Elina: Erik is the best brother that I Elina: I was living with her at that Simultaneously she continues her
could only wish for. He is very funny, time and, as I remember, she studies and is dreaming to become a
and we are having a good time wanted to get here very much since movie producer.
together. However, he never cleans she considered SSE Riga as the only Erik: Anna is also is the main singer
the house… school that can give some discipline. in the band “Hospitaïu iela”.
Erik: Elina is a person with the best Undoubtedly, my sister appreciated Did Anna try to influence your
sense of humor I've known. She also studies and social atmosphere here. choice of where to study? Or the
has a habit of lying that I never clean Even now Anna stays involved in the decision to enter the SSER was
the house, because I do… But talking majority of SSER activities: she is taken on your own?
seriously, she is completely different Chairperson of the Social Committee Erik: It was my own decision.
from all the SSE Riga community. in Alumni Association, sings in the Honestly, I was 100% sure that I'll
People know her as a Party.Com and choir and promotes our school get in and didn't even submit my
I think that it just fits her nature. wherever she goes.
documents to any other university.
And what about your sister? Did she tell you anything about the Elina: For me, nevertheless my sister
Elina: She was very good at her school life at the SSER?
thought I would not manage to take
studies here and had time to enjoy Elina: Basically, I participated in the pressure of studies; she helped
the students' life. Now her career is almost all parties with my sister; I me a lot so that would enter exactly
“booming” and she still continues to knew her friends and in that way the SSE Riga.
study. In fact, Anna also has great discovered the life here.
OK… With or without help of your
4|INSIDER May 2007

elder sister you've entered this pay school bills or do other the although being lazy, has much of real
school. What about the stuff... For example, when I was a life experience and is competent in
relationships between you? Year2 student I gave all the all spheres of life.
Erik: Well… Actually they have mathematical problems to Erik. Elina: This was the only reason, why
turned around 180°, because I lived Erik: And I didn't solve them. mother married our father… He was
in Cesis, but Elina – in Riga. We met Elina: Exactly! the only smart guy in the academy. I
once a month, and, thus, didn't If this is not a secret, what are your really believe that we have received
know each other very well. future ambitions? Maybe some kind a lot from them.
Elina: Yes, we were more like friends of business together? Now the last and the trickiest
rather than like brother and sister. Elina: Erik is a businessman already question… What about your
The only thing was that we shouted in the construction industry and I am children? Will you encourage them
at each other quite often. However, always ready to help him with my to enter the SSER in future?
when Erik joined the SSER huge social network. Elina: If it'll stay the same and at the
community, he moved not to the Erik: We thought about that already. same level – then why not? Then
dorms, but to my apartment, which Anna is in marketing, our father is a there will be even more Lebedoks
made two of us very happy. Doctor of Economics plus Elina and I graduating from this school. In fact
Then, most probably, the presence could result in a very successful we have a suggestion to the school.
of the brother/sister at school team. But at this moment we don't As there are auditoriums named
doesn't annoy you at all? have anything specific, we are Soros, KPMG and so on, then why
Erik: Precisely. I'm quite messy in building potential for the future. not calling another one “Lebedoks'
writing down the new material Sounds impressive… It looks like you auditorium”… It would be nice!
during the lectures and with help of have taken over a lot of knowledge Well, I hope that the administration
Elina I have all the necessary from your parents. What do you will read this and take into
summaries. That's why learning at think about that? consideration for the nearest future.
the SSER doesn't look so enormously Erik: In fact, our parents are very Thank you for coming and for such a
difficult for me. smart. I sometimes compare our fantastic interview! Good luck!
Elina: Hmm… I use my brother more mother with a dictionary walking Erik: You too…
like a security and the one, who can around, you know… But father, Elina: Bye bye!
2007 May INSIDER|5

Abroad
En Vecka i den Kungliga Hufvudstadens Bästa Kretsar*
Written by Mikus Reinikovs, Maris Miglans
*A Week in the Best Society of the Royal Capital
This article is a retrospect of the week in early March that your humble servants spent in the royal
Swedish capital doing a research for their Bachelor's thesis. We hope we will manage at least
partly to share the great experiences gained in the Venice of the North – Stockholm.
And so it started... individuals. It is worth commenting that means usual since just a couple of years
the Eurovision in Sweden seems to be of ago people living on the west coast of
Doubtful thoughts were circling the a much higher quality and the national Sweden could not even locate Latvia on
minds of the authors when they boarded competition takes whole 6 weeks, the world map. We even managed to
the Ryan Air's flight FR1963 heading for touring cities all around the country. have conversations about some of the
Stockholm Skavsta. Mikus had never lecturers in Riga and Stockholm. Our
even set a step on the Swedish ground After an enjoyable weekend, which was beloved Peter Högfeldt seemed to be as
before and Maris's impression about spent exploring the city and visiting the well known in Stockholm as he is in Riga.
Stockholm was mainly based on the world famous Vasa Museum (Vaasa
stories about the arrogant Stockholmers Musseet) where one can observe a Despite Mr Högfeldt's warnings we also
(Ståååckhååålmare) heard during the beauty of a 17th century ship, we were used one evening for visiting the SSE
previous visits to the more southern ready to start our research. Stockholm located in a beautiful building
provinces of the beautiful Kingdom of 15 minutes walk from the Central
Sweden. One thing was sure, though, we During the five days ( from Monday to station. The interior of the building
were heading for a week full of Friday) we had an extensive programme seemed indeed a bit run down, pretty
adventures and experiences. of interviews that mainly focused on the much as Mr Högfeldt had told, which
fields of public support programs and made us appreciate our own Alma Mater
After 30 minutes of flight and 1,5 hours initiatives, policy research and venture even more.
of bus trip we reached the central station capital in Sweden. Every interview was
of Stockholm City and were met by the held with the highest officials of the Apart from an extensive interview
benefactor of the trip – Leif Mutén who respective authority and positively programme we were offered a rich free
guided us to the hotel located in the part surprised us with their quality. The time programme. Leif and Margaret
of Stockholm bearing the noble name - people we interviewed showed great Mutén kindly hosted us at their home for
Kungsholmen (Kings Isle). Having settled responsiveness devoting their time and a coffee and we took part in the weekly
in the hotel we headed to explore the endeavour to guide us through the meeting of the Rotary Club, district
nightlife of the city. Before that, labyrinths of the Swedish enterprise and Ladugårdslandet.
however, we managed to have a look at i n n o v a t i o n s u p p o r t p r o g ra m s ,
the broadcast of the Swedish Eurovision something that would hardly be Moreover, on Wednesday we could
semi finals on the national television. a c h i e v e d w i t h o u t t h e g o o d attend a play La Traviata in the Royal
The personal favourites of the authors recommendations from Leif Mutén. opera house that alone would deserve
included För Kung och Fosterland (For an article. Apart from the artistic quality
King and Fatherland) and Vågar du, Vågar Another positively surprising fact was a of the opera we could also enjoy the
jag (Dare you, dare I). The latter of which g o o d o v e r a l l k n o w l e d g e t h e interior of the Royal Opera House. As
was later used, with mixed success, interviewees had about Riga in general opposed to Latvian opera the people in
attracting the attention of feminine local and the SSE Riga particularly. This is by no Stockholm seemed to be much more
6|INSIDER May 2007

Abroad
casually dressed and only a few were wearing suits. Moreover, Norway) and some garments bearing the noble coats of arms of
one should visit the opera in Riga as it definitely does not lag the Kingdom of Sweden – Tre Crowns (Tre Kronor) were
behind the opera of Royal Sweden. purchased, we set out for the home journey. The corresponding
clothing with Swedish symbolic will be exceptionally useful
A visit to Stockholm would not be complete without when enjoying Finish sauna.
experiencing the party spirit on the elitist Stureplan square on
Wednesday (also known as little Friday). After touring a couple Generally, we are more than delighted about the opportunity to
of bars around Stureplan we settled down for Soap Bar, located do research in Stockholm. The quality and quantity of the
opposite to the Royal Drama Theatre (Dramaten), which was material makes us sure that we will able to produce an excellent
one of the few places around that did not charge entrance fee. thesis. In fact we could produce not just one but several thesis.
After some discussions local feminine individuals were We realized that much of the competence in public support,
classified as beautiful. which is now being developed in the Baltics, is already available
in Sweden and people there are keen on sharing it. Thus Latvian
The intensive and full of activities week soon had come to its policy makers should not try to reinvent the wheel again but
end. After the final shopping tour during which such typical look to the experience of other countries such as Sweden
Swedish souvenirs as Kalles Kaviar, Knäckebröd (a kind of which has by all means a lot to offer.
bread), Snus (snuff, which is illegal in some countries including
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to
the Rotary Sweden and particularly Leif and
Margaret Mutén for their friendliness and the
given opportunity.
We are also very grateful to Lars Nyberg, Wanja
Bellander, Dag Sigurd, Bo Hallgren, Göran Toll, Jan
Nylander, Jonas Gretzer, Tom Berggren, Magnus
Henrekson, Lars Öjefors, Rickard Eriksson, Britt
Marie Bertilsson, Torbjörn Spector, Johan Fall and
Pontus Braunerhjelm , all of whom found time in
heir busy schedules to meet a couple of Latvian
students.
Last but not least, we would like to thank the
administration of SSE Riga and particularly Kârlis
Krçsliòð who showed trust selecting us for the
study trip.
For the future generations of SSE Riga thesis
writers we really recommend applying for the
Rotary Scholarship, since it is a great opportunity
to enhance the quality of your thesis.
Sverige regerar! Sweden rules!
2007 May INSIDER|7

Opinion article
Let the Good Times Roll
6:15 AM. I had to open my eyes as something was report should have brought much more benefit.
shining just straight into them. Oh, that’s the sun. Well, for some it really did. Just when the results
Sun... Seems that spring has finally come. No more came, they were disappointed. The grades were
snow, no more “that-liquid-thing-sometime-ago- ranging from 50 to 75, all having 5 or 0 as the last
called-snow” or rain on the streets. It’s no longer digit. Maybe next time Roger could teach us “how to
season of ME and Org & Man, even the glorious grade a report in 15 minutes” instead of all those
Financial Economics have finished! I remembered assumptions? As now it seems more beneficial to
when Year1 were singing “everybody is having fun” learn “how to write a report in 40 minutes and pass”
(and so on…) at the Christmas Party. Having fun, and have more time to enjoy the sun. HR perspective
they say. Yeah, good old times. Would I say the claims – employees need to feel the value they add,
same about the most recent ones? and we missed that, Roger, we missed. At least we
Managerial economics. Maybe Year1 got used to got the result as early as never. After them I am
Morten too much, or maybe they haven’t anxiously waiting for Business Law. I am interested
experienced any Latvian lecturers before, but that what would be the possibility to take
was really challenging for them. Firstly, they SSER to court and to win the case of
weren’t prepared to get the answer “Read exposure of my real identity next to
the Book!” after any question. But they my ID number. If somebody cares
tried. However, they were prepared to about or privacy, then how come such a
do all the daily assignments. Some mistake happened? And if nobody does,
prepared with previous years’ how come that the Official Ranking is
examples, other still believed in somewhere in a drawer? Why it is not
the “academic integrity” values, known for public? Every single week at least
but nobody expected to get all the one time I hear “You are the best, you can
same exercises as the previous year do it”. So why I can’t know am I the
has had. Still, the majority tried to do best? Somebody is trying to save
their best, to solve everything on their my psychological state? Thank You,
own, even paced out the way to but that is not the most important
lecturers’ office. But what can you do when issue.
lecturer is available only till 12 o’clock and the Talking about psychology, something is
problems are posted as early as 12:30? Maybe we really wrong out here. People steal each others’
should have learnt to travel in time, but I think I phones and send offensive messages. Others, in the
have missed that chapter of the book. It seemed meantime, manage to get 11 in ME, but still do not
the only thing which can travel in time is the really care. As don’t the ones who are constantly late
deadline of the exam results appearing. Probably, for lectures – some even act so cool that it seems
the most successful journey ever in the world; but they have a unique permit to be late. Well, not
who cares? everybody can answer “I am Mr. Berzins” with a
Then, the triplet from Sweden came. Not only they hidden tone “f*ck off, dear lecturer”. Maybe it a time
managed to cover all the course material in 5 to introduce a new course “Acting in Fabrik Zviozdy”?
lectures, they also brought a pile of articles and a 7:45 AM. Time to go – Macro presentations start in
course book. Well, the articles were not so bad. I half an hour. Maybe I’ll even manage to try to check
can’t say anything about the book, as I haven’t my mail. Or to hear people blaming slow internet.
opened it – maybe next time we can have more Just if they stopped viewing Youtube movies, turned
articles? And a bit less assumptions, please? For off Skype, MSN… Anyway, the lecture will start,
example, 7 instead of 8 assumptions for the somebody will enter late, but who cares? I will be
political frame? Year1 looked like kindergarteners sitting and enjoying Macro. As in the good old times
preparing to recite a poem. Did it contribute for us? of Micro & Statistics. Yeah, let the good times roll.
Yeah, I am still able to list them all. Surely, the
8|INSIDER May 2007

? ? ?
?
?
??Quiz Club??
by Kaidi Peetersoo
?
?
?
?
? Activities
Most of you have
noticed announcements
and reminders about Quiz
Game in your mailboxes. If you find it
somewhat annoying, come to Quiz Club
and see that it is worth your attention.
Quiz Club was established in December 2006 by two active (brothers play something). Sometimes it sounds very familiar,
brothers - Ivar and Janar (Y1). As Ivar and Janar had participated but you just can't figure out the name of the performer.
in quiz games in Estonia and they were missing such games here Helen (Y1) thinks that Quiz Game is a nice end of a school
in Latvia, they thought it would be a good idea to introduce this day full of Macroeconomics or Finance. „Sometimes it makes
type of educational entertainment for SSE Riganians. you feel quite stupid...other times very smart.” Furthermore,
„Who was the first woman in the space?” was the opening she considers it to be educational and entertaining, because the
question in Quiz Club, which took place on 20 March. This game questions and answers introduce you to a weird world,
was especially devoted to women. As usually many questions otherwise known as reality. One thing she finds disturbing is too
are related to „boys' stuff”, the organizers kindly thought about masculine issues (e.g. sports and cars) and suggests including a
girls, too. Another example: „It is an ancient Indian text on woman in the organizing team. But she also admits the most
human sexual behaviour, widely considered to be the standard important thing is that you can be sure, you will have fun.
work on love in Sanskrit literature. How do we know this book So far Quiz Club has been very popular among SSE
better?” In addition, there has been one game focusing only on Riganians. More than 15 teams participate - Voodoo, Tainas,
guessing pictures. Now we can only imagine what special games Dash =), Abnormal Distribution etc. New teams are always
are still coming. welcome to join, although it is quite impossible for them to
„Quiz Game encourages developing your logical thinking compete for the grand prize, which is still unrevealed. But as it is
and does it in a pleasant way”, describes Kristina (Y1) said – participation is a half of the victory!
optimistically. Each game is amusing and offers you exciting Next Quiz Game round will be held after the spring refacts.
exam session. Therefore, people who want to have fun and
An ordinary Quiz Game includes 15 questions from broaden their mind are welcome to join the nice and friendly
different fields – sport, politics, nature, technology etc. To make community of quiz-gamers :) Attend a Quiz Game round and
it more interesting it also has one +/- question, which means you will not regret it.
that the teams can choose for how many points they are
playing. In addition, there always is one music question
?
2007 May INSIDER|9

Gossips
They say that there were some They say Mrs Katarina Hellstrom is what type of glue does Sergei
gossips about the Insider. Yap, not a spammer, she's just learning Lakissov sniff, he wants to try out
probably, naturally, there just
were.
They say that Karlis (Y2) took a big
bootle of water to the FE exam,
the same one.
They say that the students are
They say that Morten has proved because somebody told him that freakin' fed up with school's
that people from SSE Riga can the last 3 questions are "water administration for organizing
affect economic proceses in LV via peaces" banquets and events in OUR
mass media! What does it say
about Latvia?
Svetlana (Y1) comes early on
Saturday to the library to be the
school and asking US (!) to leave.
grrr...
They say, Darja (Y2) is a party- first reader of the newest issue of They say that Morten almost
lover. Just buy her a cocktail and "The Economist". devalued the lat just to show Y1
have plenty of fun.
They say that Ieva(Y1) has used
Can we expect more indecent
behaviour from Vika and Sofi?
how self-fulfilling expectations
work.
her experience in the field she is
good at to get the internship in
Price Waterhouse Coopers.
They say Dmitrijs Murins is in love
with Irina Beinarovica because he
wears a ring with her initials - IB.
They say that Agnesiiite has a
weakness for men in the position
of power
They say that Gunnar has bought
a cup of coffee to Sandra (Y1)
several times.
They say that S-Club (Y1) failed
their MAF assignment because
they are better educated in
something else ;)))
They say that the pizzas in IFund
meeting were really tasty.
They say that all lectures of Roger
(O&M) could be squeezed into 5
minutes.
They say that some Y1, Y2 and Y3
students can prove that The
Lesbian is actually not a lesbian.
An angry macro-report writer says
that half of SSE Riga students are
free riders.
They say that there is a ghost in
SSE Riga computerlabs whos
greatest hobby is locking the
They say never to fall in love with
the president.
They say that one of y1 Latvians is
getting married this summer
(congratulations!)
They say that in his office Morten
keeps darts board with pictures of
Dmitrijs “Deadline” Mûriòð and
Svetlana; they also say that he
entertains himself with it a lot.
They say that Ieva L (Y1) has by far
the most annoying laughter and
can never shut up during lectures.
They say that Y2 has been very
creative in finding ways how to
pass Finance this year. But even
Lakissova's no-underwear-policy
failed...
They say Ramojus (Y2) would have
liked to join in the threesome;
however he was busy studying
People say that Aleksandr P. (year
2) does not like to sleep in the
dorms. He rather prefers some
nice place outside it.
They say: Most of Y2 still haven't
found out how to correctly spell
"Anthropohology", and Y1 won't
till next year...
They say that somebody (Y1)
won't have serious health
problems after reading the
gossips.
They say that nobody is meant to
be offended in this page :))
They say that all names in the
gossips are fictional, and if
somebody finds similarities to
some real person, he/she can
blame himself/herself.
They say that CENSORSHIP is
really NEEDED here!!!
computers. The name of the ghost finance at that time. They say the new project work
is "drinkunaite".
They say that Peteris (Y1) is really
hot.
They say that macro makes you
think what did Afroman exactly
meant in his song "Because I got
high”
They say that Jevgenia (Y2) was so
self confident about FE that she
actually failed it. She wanted to
have more of it: the re-exam as
well!
They say that Paulius
Ramanauskas is curious about
will be soon written by year 1:
"How to SEXess in SSE Riga?"
Using Kama sutra 69 position
model, Borat sexy times
imperatives and own experience.
They say there is a SEXY club in
year 1.
10|INSIDER May 2007

They say that Sanita (Y1) enjoys
sleeping on unknown guys, while
going to dorms. They also say
that sometimes she gets sick of
those guys...
They say that GPPO is reborn...
Guys, be aware!
They say Sandra & Inga (Year1)
REALLY have very Sexy Strings.
They say that the real saying isn't
"No martini, no party" - it is just
for commercials, the real one
says "No Sveta, no party"
They say that if there would be a
nomination called "The sneeze of
Although it seems that they don’t
need it, a bottle of champagne goes to
Mantas and Andrius.
the year", we all know who
would get it - Dima Þ (his-owncult.com)
They say that one girl (Y4) in FE
was quite pretty. :)) Seriously :)
Naturally :) She just was...
much time studying that became
a Latvian - Aleksejs Jevastafjevs
They say that the sharp increase
in Amica's prices is due to the
reason that they import goods
from Zimbabwe.
They say that Dorms Rullez !!!!
They say that best gossips are
written when you are drunk. :))))
They say, when Anta (Y2) jokes
about blondes being stupid it is
the same if a Jew was joking
about Holocaust.
They say that Morten wants to
see some people killed now and
then because they deserve it.
(Y2) And when Finance has
finished :))))))))
They say that spring has seriously
They say that lecturer admitted
that Y3 have no problems with
logics, cause there is
They say that the new IT Support
is sweet addicted.
influenced Ms Alina’s (Y2) mind. :)
They say that Jûþins (Y3) keeps
They say Karlis (Y2) is a secret
adorer of Tarvids - just see his
new hair-style!
They say that Gintare (Y2) was a
criminal, but detectives found her
and did baaad baaad things to
make her good.
Putin's portrait in his wallet.
They say that Ignas(Y2) spent a
HOT night with two cheerleaders.
They say that there is a totalizator
on how long Vita (y2) will play
with her new lover boy...
They say that everybody except
Ignas (Y1) knows what is
happening.
They say that according to
Bolman&Deal each girl at SSE Riga
has a PUSSYtive side.=)
They say Alina (Y2) has personal
message "beautiful to the last
bone"... She'd better write "pretty
skeleton".
They say, nothing can stop Ksenija
(Y3) using the 3-letter Russian
word, even the fact that she's a
female.
They say that some students tear
gossip pages from Insider and
bind them as a book, or as they
refer to it as the "Bible".
Dmitrijs Murins is the worst
gossiper in the world! He's even
worse than girls at it!
They say that Alina in enjoying
spring already. It is very well, in
First year Latvians are even slower
than Estonians.
They say that using “they say” to
start a gossip is really lame.
my opinion :)) They say that during FE Y2 lost
Aleksej without S. He spent so
2007 May INSIDER|11

Speaking the language of JeJoue
Winter has passed away as well as all the harsh times. Long gloomy
evenings and hardly any sunshine made us stay in our tiny hollows and
fall into a deep sleep for ages. But now it is all over. Don’t hide your
eyes behind the XXL sunglasses. The world has much more colours
without them. Grab a brush and take yellow from the sun, green from a
leaf, red from a shiny cabriolet riding down the street and make your
own picture flavoured with the mix of singing voices and “laboomchic”
from the recorder. Somebody will definitely hear your jazzy picture and
will step in by the rhythm of 123, 123. Take a photo camera and catch
the glamorous moment. This is what speaking the language of JeJoue is
all about. Do you speak JeJoue?
For beginners, intermediates and advanced speakers JeJoue classes are
available every Thursday starting from May 17 till June 7 at 6 PM. SSER
Home will welcome everybody to different parts of it: the Lounge,
Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom.
For the most active participants there is a homework assignment: shoot
a short movie, create a 4-model collection or have an art exhibition.
Rewards are guaranteed. It is not too late to learn JeJoue! Join us!
JeJoue 2007 Team
Events of
JeJoue
2|INSIDER Je Joue 2007
Lounge
Drama performance
Opening ceremony
Choir mini-concert
Dance clubs performance
Line dances class
Banquet
Bedroom
May 31
Guest lectures about
self-marketing and
advertising
Short movie festival “Too
Short to Suck”
World’s best ads
Awards
May 17
See more on JeJoue website:
sa.sseriga.edu.lv/jejoue
or write us an email to
JeJoue2007@gmail.com
Kitchen
May 24
Drawing on SSER walls
Photography workshop
Fashion Show
Awards
Bathroom
June 7
Music festival “Summer
Tune Records”
Karaoke
Closing ceremony
Wine/tea & snacks

Speakers @ JeJoue
JSC "Interactive
Marketing Partner
Baltic", manager at
blogging portal
BLOGas.lt, the author of
the blog "Þudyk
Reklamà" (Kill
Advertising)
www.zudykreklama.lt
Arnoldas is an account
manager at „Interactive Marketing Partner Baltic“, an
online marketing company based in Vilnius. He is a
coordinator of BLOGas.lt - one of the biggest social
networking portal in Lithuania. His own blog about
advertising was acclaimed as the best blog in
Lithuania. Arnoldas was the main initiator of the first
Lithuanian blogger conference in March 2007. He
shared his insights on consumer driven society at
various conferences (Wazzap 2007, Password 2007)
Speech topic:
Career blogging (Blogging your way to a succesful
career) - Why it's important to have your mark on the
Internet? What can a blog do for you, and what can
you do to your society through your blog? Marketing
yourself. Getting spotted at the right time and the
right place.
Artûras Olðauskas,
“best-marketing”
representative in
Lithuania, www.bestmarketing.com,
Board
member of the Lithuanian
Union of Art
Photographers since 2003.
In 2005 Artûras graduated
from Vilnius University
Faculty of Economics. In
the same year he finished Media Design Producing
course at “IFS International Filmschule Cologne”.
Afterward Artûras started working at “bestmarketing“
as a journalist. Now he is an executive
editor and weekly newsletter journalist, and an
organizer of an annual marketing achievements
conference PASSWORD and a marketing & advertising
week WAZZAP. Artûras was a jury member of “The
Epica Awards” in 2006.
Speech topic:
Arnoldas Rogoznyj,
Marketing and advertising: „Creativity VS
Creazativity“
319.5 million EURO are spent on advertising in Baltic
states (45 EURO per person). Experts say that up to
90% of money spent on advertising are wasted. What
makes one solution good and the other one sucky?
Average mark for SSE Rigians creativity was 7.7 - quite a result, huh?
Creatameter: Are SSE
Students Creative?
9
Deniss (bus.com):
The most creative ever! :)
+:variety of activities expanding every year: getting top score –
not only attending lectures; throwing a frozen watermelon
through a window at 2am
Igors (PR.com)
Answer: More than that... A unique thing is that creativity goes
hand in hand with quality here (~what is not evident in the
world of creative-minded).
+ : Christmas concert; all the events students organize;
8
Marius (president)
Answer: YEAH! [Laughing] They all go to similar creative
solution, so often similar (creative) results occur; copy-paste
isn't creative.
+ : EBP course with companies project; we are small
community but there is an amazing number of activities which
have been started by students themselves
- : copy-paste; MLA guidelines; one EBP company project: a
guy was offering to measure your weight and asked money for
that!
Arvis (vice-president)
Answer: Of course they are. As it is a school of economics and
business people have to be creative and they are. But nothing
is perfect and 8 would be an almost perfect figure. We still
have an opportunity to grow. Nothing less, nothing more.
And…You cannot do anything what is not creative.
+ : Board game club; Arts club (started by Harlis); JeJoue (of
course…)
Anastasija (SA accountant)
Answer: Definitely they are. But this is very individual stuff so
it's hard to say…
+ : EBP project
- : accounting [smiles]
6
Jûratë (education.com)
Answer: [actually there were only complains about that she
had NO time…]
5
Katrin (party.com)
Answer: It depends… Some students are very creative, others
– not. But on average – yes…
+ : JeJoue (the main thing); new clubs/activities
- : people who don't participate anywhere, just study
Ernesta (info.com)
Answer: Oh my god... Some of them definitely are creative. It
depends on what you call creativity. You can be creative while
partying or while sleeping during the lectures. But as
economic students we are creative.
+ : JeJoue (it's creativity itself); other events;
by Natalija
Snapkauskaitë
2007 Je Joue INSIDER|3

y Eglë Bloþytë
, & Art
The Insider team was very lucky to get this interview for a special Je Joue edition. No doubts that the Deputy
General Manager, the Head of Programming at MTV Networks Baltic Andrius Serva is quite busy while creating
the Baltic image of the most popular music channel in the world. Should it be a coincidence or not, but this
person also initiated the Je Joue idea during his studies here at SSER. This was what we wanted to talk about
in addition to art and MTV.
-You were one of those creative and already an art and BTW level of creativity that world wide.
proactive students who generated the Je
Joue idea six years ago. How did you come
up with it and what was the initial
purpose of this event?
Well, I remember I had an image, that this
school cannot be as serious as it looks. I
is increasing a lot in business world in the
last few years. Well even creating a
business model is already certain type of
art. I would love to see some business
ideas/ model / systems exhibition in some
art center :-)
In the Baltics we had to create Lithuanian,
Latvian and Estonian MTVs. And I don't
mean just putting local language subtitles.
We had to create how it looks, what it
says, finally how our viewers are different
from UK or US viewers, what do we have
knew many guys that do much more than -The sort of art which we consume most to give them. We have not finished, we
study and there are loads of extremely often is so called commercial art: music, are in the process and looks like very
creative people there. However the image films, even books. Its main purpose is to successful.
and feeling in the school was – “business
only”. So there must be something done.
One day in 2001 (that's really long time
ago) we spoke with Zane Culkstena (she
was then President of SA) and she's being
very artistic person agreed straight away.
Afterwards more people joined our team:
Olegs Nikitins, Irina Sekundo and many
more, would be hard to list all.
- How did it go? Was it worth considering
having such a tradition?
earn more money. Is it still art?
Of course it is – I personally like
Hollywood movies because they are so
high quality done and believe me best
artist do work there. Not any artist can
create Matrix GFX or shoot Titanic. If you
write a book like “Harry Potter”, you're a
great, very creative writer as you find how
to get to so many children. Well, music is
also art – largest part of most popular
songs are something very new and
Coming back to the art – I strongly believe
that MTV on screen looks like a very
artistic television, starting from MTV logo
in the corner, music video titles, various
video art breaks, best quality music videos
and of course shows related to art like
dancing, singing, writing and I could
continue forever :-)
-What would you say to SSE Riga
students?
My expectations were right – many
people wanted to be involved; we had
many exhibitions, guest lectures and nice
events. We had even fashion show with in
school designers only. I wanted it to be
the tradition, however I graduated in 2002
creative, let's say when Nelly Furtado
released a “Man Eater” many people in
music world said it's something strange,
however innovative. And as an outcome
millions of albums were sold, people were
crazy about it.
Be artistic or otherwise you'll be dead! Or
in other words I'm sure each of you has
the creative personality inside your soul –
let it live!
Thank you!
and didn't know much on what's going on Its absolute nonsense that mass
there. I strongly believe, that only consumed artistic products is not art
naturally created (not forced) traditions anymore. I believe the opposite – best
survive and it seems this tradition is the art attracts crowds and crowds of
one of a kind which makes me very happy. people.
-Many people say that business and art -Is your work related to art? If yes, then
speak different languages, thus do not
have much in common. What do you
how?
think?
Definitely yes, working for MTV means
working in a very creative atmosphere
I strongly disagree. Even remembering and working with very creative people
first Je Joue. We had 4 (!) big sponsors! around. We do have to create different
That proofs that art is everywhere. Of experience while watching TV for our
course not all the business people care young audience in comparance to any
about art however art / being creative television station. We have to be trend
definitely has a place in the world of setters, rebellious and very friendly for
business. For instance, making simple all 15-35 year old people. And during
design of a flyer for marketing needs. It's more than 25 years MTV succeeds in
4|INSIDER Je Joue 2007
The Lounge

The Kitchen
Who wears the
MOST interesting
clothing in
SSE Riga?
by Sigita Juodeikytë
& Inga Ðimaitë
Creativity Pancakes
The great taste of pancakes is achieved by
completing each of three recipe parts. If
looked seriously it may bring matter-offact
results. Through stomach to happy
and artistic life!
1. Hearty Creativity pancake mix
2 1/4 cups Will flour
1/2 cup minced crystallized Brain storming
(or Open imagination) ginger
Darja Y2: Morten
because he wears a
different tie every
day.
Harlis Y1: I don't pay
much attention how
people dress at SSE.
But girls with mini
skirts definitely rules!
Anatolij Y3:
Lithuanians dress
extraordinary and this
makes them different
from the crowd.
Anna Y1: Saulius (Y1)
– he is a very stylish
boy!
Tomas Y3: According to my
conception of style I prefer Y3
guys – majority of them are
working, thus, they wear
suits. But I also respect Y1 as
they have not been
influenced by 'finance style'...
even Morten tried to show
them fashion of flowered ties.
Recipe by Inga Ðimaitë
1/2 cup Bravery powder
1/4 cup brown Muse sugar
1 tablespoon Stimulating atmosphere powder
1 tablespoon Stability&Routine seasoning
Whisk together all of the ingredients, and store in an airtight soul-container,
at room temperature, till it will boost and will be ripe for making pancakes.
NOTE: The amount of Stability&Routine seasoning that matches best your
taste may require experimenting. The only way to make a tasty, rewarding
and fulfilling creative pancake is to cook regularly. The first pancake is always
the burnt pancake.
2. Pancakes
1 large Support egg
1/2 cup Recognition milk
2 tablespoons Development oil or melted Evolution butter
1 cup dry pancake mix
In a medium lifestyle-bowl, whisk together all left ingredients. Blend in the
mix. Let the paste rest for max 1 minute, then cook it on an electric
emotional griddle heated to 3500C Flashpoint. Serve with Success Maple
Syrup.
3. Success Maple Syrup
Drain a 3.5-ounce can of the sense of success; gently mix with 3/4 cup maple
syrup. Heat till warm, and spoon over pancakes.
NOTE: Be careful, once you try the sweet taste of success maple syrup, it
may become a favorite ingredient for the whole happy life cuisine. Be sure
that the syrup does not shade the real taste of pancakes.
NUTRITION PER SERVING (2 pancakes, 104g): 250 joy-cal, 10g improvementfat,
8g popularity-protein, 30g self confidence-carbohydrate.
Igors Y2: Our school's
Christmas tree.
Jevgenia Y2: Ms. Diana
because her style is not
very much in line with
ultimate fashion, which
is cool. Also Ausra – she
is not ordinary, has a
very good concept of
dressing and gorgeous
hair! Finally Roberts
Kilis – he's not a little
boy but looks young in
his style.
Rolands Y1: Jurijs
(technician man) is the
most stylish guy at
school! By the way, he
never wears the same
clothing every day.
Gediminas Y3: It's not
what you wear - it's
how you take it off.
Here guys are the
experts…
Jekaterina Y2: Håkan
Lyckeborg – he always sticks
to his style (as a Santa Claus)
2007 Je Joue INSIDER|5

How holly is
The Bedroom
by Eglë
Once upon a time, far far away there were only real stars above the ground, those more
meteorites than human beings, and lots of taverns all around. Hundred years ago
everything changed, suddenly and astonishingly.
?
It was the times when in the labs of Thom Edison beautiful, and too sexy. This is Hollywood.
motion pictures were invented. It was the beginning of
cinema, of video art and show business. You know, then The beginning was idyllic, and you are running after
everything was kind of different. Now our best friends – celebrities, and they pay for every brand which shows
computers can correct any mistake, re-design, re-play, up in a movie. So to say, every image that you watch is
re-make, re-do. Then even a day light could be filmed sold out. One frame can make a lot of money. Are they
only when days where light. I've heard that in right? They create so many labels around: Golden
Hollywood there are 320 sunny days a year. globes, Oscars, top action dramas, best actors in the
leading roles, best effects… best best best, this is what
So you can sunbath there all year long, that's why in makes the world go round!
1991 there appeared the first film studio. Later on it I know, our society likes popularity too much. But just
became the place of opportunities, successful careers for once, try to free your imagination and have your
and many crying little & sweet actresses. One well- taste. Have you ever felt the flavor of style? It is neither
known sugar-lady at first was suggested either to visual nor sound effects. It is the feeling, which makes
become a secretary or to find a husband. The history of your body shiver.
cinema as well as the whole world would be different
without her – Marilyn Monroe, and not only because Shh, and now… I will tell you a secret – I like watching
her films made over $200,000,000 on their first run. Hollywood films. But I believe it is just because my
Even though 47 takes were not enough for her to say movie-supplier loves Johny Depp!
“hey sweetie, it's me – sugar” correctly, she was too
6|INSIDER Je Joue 2007

The Bedroom
Fetish - Un petit dialogue by Ramojus Gineika
-You said you have something to tell me…
-Oh yes, I do. A puffed-up beauty cried yesterday that her nail broke and her manicurist is off duty on Sunday evenings.
Her heart-breaking weep sounded throughout the street where she lived. And someone, just passing by, thought: “if all
this tragedy is now for one nail…”
-Yet, this nail was not so middle-class, you know. She paid a fortune for the woman she admired the most in her life to
have two Swarovski’s on this nail, which sparkled from any source of light like no-one ever seen it before. Indeed, it
helped her in various ways just showing this middle finger of her right hand, which in fact was the one with crystals. She
even considered doubling the effect by simply adding a few crystals to the middle finger of her left hand. Now it was all
ruined. For some moments she even thought of falling into a Great Depression, which, as she has heard, happened in
the US. “Might there be a greater disaster?” she thought to herself, still weeping…
-Still weeping? Come on, it was not all that bad, was it?
-Oh yes, it was. There always was a dream of her to meet a prince on a white horse to take her to France, preferably to a
villa a-la-Versailles on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. That is why she also liked her skin to be as brown as milk
chocolate – not too little, but also not too much…
-So she was an interesting person after all?
-Oh yes, she was… Before that day. That day changed everything in her life and she realized something she longed to
realize for so long. But you have to know something more about her beforehand. So she waited for this prince and had
never, never stepped out of her small town. There were farm-lands all around, so she thought: “ok, there are farm-lands,
so whenever I will go out of this township, I could be called a farmer” and then she shook her head in disbelief that
someone could ever call her a farmer… It was unbearable only to think about it, not even mention in words. And so she
lived, till one day she met her…
-Who?
-Her manicurist! A small woman in her fifties, who once lived in a big city and was still full of these dull stories big cities
are proud of making. Let’s call her Eva, just to have a simple name. So Eva was the one who brought emptiness to
already not so meaningful beauty. They were the ones to chat overnights in Eva’s salon, discussing things, from new
lipsticks to new bed linen, freshly presented in Paris. Though it hardly could be called a dialogue – it was only a straight
monologue, where our beauty just sat in disbelief of all those great things happening somewhere outside her kingdom
of seventy nine houses, a church and a school.
-The irony here is that the day she broke her nail was the last day of her manicurist. Sadly, our beauty only
called her after Eva was already in morgue. Did she blame herself for calling too late? No, she
blamed herself for being unaware of this piece of cloth, which suddenly took
half of her polished-to-perfection nail. And she wept for being unable to
show the crystals in the gathering of the whole township – the last
journey of Eva…
-Wait a second: so there is nothing she realized on that day?
-Oh yes, there is! Always, always before crying be sure to have a
make-over cleaner!
2007 Je Joue INSIDER|7

Music:
by Eglë
the New Type
of Addiction
Shower is not the first thing in
the morning. Guess what! It is
turning on the music.
Some says - close your eyes and listen. Yeah sure, it is
magic, but don't ever try that. The rules of this game are to
open your eyes widely, take your walkman and experience
the existence. You are turned on once you press the button
“play”: it drives you crazy, makes you mad. Chill! It eases up.
Just don't turn it down.
Talk the lyrics, Live out what others are singing. They
play with words; you are free to play with meanings. Hear
the beauty, and the gloom.
Some says we live in the synthetic world. Synthesizers
all around and DJs mixing fancy minimal electro sounds. This
is not natural, but do not take it as a junk. Take it easy. Try to
feel the value. Don't mess around, be self-sufficient and
understand what it's all about. It is about inventors of the
music: Marilyn Monroe (I wanna loved by you – just you!
Boop-boop-a-doop!), Mozart and Bach, the Doors. the girl
from Ipanema. Vinnie the Pooh (kuda idiom my spitaciok…)
You can invent it once more. Or you can consume it.
Hear the passions of people; Watch jazzy pianist's fingers;
Breathe in the sound of saxophone. This consumption is
made of tunes, harmonies and beats. Paf paf pa boom! And
it is no how related with consumer price indexes, not at all.
You say – tickets, records, entrances and labels. I say – no.
Music is never sold, it is free and priceless.
Never mind if it's polished and sophisticated or flowing
and ingenuous. It is African beats, Latino bossanova,
American hip-hop, Russian pop, European classical and
world-wide rock.
And what if “you no longer hear the music of the gods
around you”? Well… They say – in the long run we all are
dead. But for now - harmonize your life and make the
groove.
And what if… If all this does not help – establish
another record studio, build new concert hall and then make
a lot of money. I mean, a LOT OF money. Sell it all out!
8|INSIDER Je Joue 2007
The Bathroom
History of Nudity
by Sofija Jurceva
Anthropologists logically presume that
humans originally lived naked, without
clothing, as their natural state. They postulate
the adaptation of animal skins and vegetation
into coverings to protect the wearer from
cold, heat and rain, or alternatively, covering
may have been invented first for other
purposes, such as magic, decoration, cult, or
prestige, and later found to be practical as
well. But what is the story like behind it?
According to one legend, a runner at the
Ancient Olympic Games named Orsippos of
Megara discarded his loincloth and won his
race. Another legend says that the loincloth
accidentally fell off a runner at the Olympics, who tripped on it,
struck his head, and died. So for reasons of either improved
athletic performance or safety, from this date forward Olympic
athletes competed naked. Other sources, however says that the
beauty of body was among the admired aspects of culture, just
as philosophy and art. That was the reason why athletes had to
oil their body during the competitions. Suspectedly, that was
also the reason why women were not allowed neither to
participate neither to be spectators.
In the 1st century AD refusing to wear clothes was
considered a sign of insanity. It was nevertheless usual for
workers such as field hands and fishermen to work unclothed.
1868 is the approximate date of the introduction of the
swimsuit. Most swimming, if not all, was done naked up to this
point because wearing clothing of any sort was extremely
cumbersome and thus dangerous to the swimmer.
During the Victorian era, public nakedness was considered
obscene. In addition to beaches being segregated by gender,
bathing machines were also used to conceal the naked body. In
the early 20th century, exposure of male nipples was considered
indecent at some beaches. Actually, it wasn’t until the late 20’s
when men were allowed to appear topless in public places.
Spring has definitely arrived to our oblivious of snow Riga.
Some people were pretty suspicious of the first tickly sunbeams.
Apparently those who weren’t have been annoying their course
mates by coughing and sneezing throughout the whole April. At
last the “springiest” month of the year is here to chase away
Baltic chilliness, melt some icy hearts and spice up the
everlasting question “how undressed is just enough?”
The issue, however, is not fashion but contemporary art of
attracting and undressing. Short skirts, uncovered shoulders,
see-through shirts, revealing dresses, tight trousers. Apparently
the society’s attitude towards partial nudity has changed greatly
during the last century.
He was sitting with his legs crossed. Wearing tight trousers
and short red socks revealed his ankles. Back in Victorian times
there was nothing more seducing for a man, than to catch a
glimpse of women’s ankles. Are we going back to basics? Are we
changing the gender roles? Should I lose my mind by the sight of
those hairy legs?