2009

WINNERS OF ANNUAL PRIZE ZELTA ČIEKURS HAVE BEEN SELECTED

On February 6, 2009, the winners of the prize Zelta čiekurs (Golden Cone), an annual prize of the forestry sector, were selected and awarded in four nominations, which took place during the festive ceremony.

The annual prize of the forestry sector Zelta čiekurs is the highest recognition for achievements in the development of the forest sector awarded in the following nominations: For Life Contribution, For Sustainable Management, For Innovative Entrepreneurship and For Scientific Contribution to the Sector’s Development. The goal of the prize is to contribute to the forest sector’s development and its social significance. Zelta čiekurs for life contribution went to Alfons Grīnfelds, Rita Insberga, Jānis Kazeks, Antons Kažemaks and Viktors Šķērsts. The prize winners also received the Cabinet of Ministers’ commendation letters. All annual prize winners as professionals in their field have devoted their working lives to the development of the forestry sector, and their accomplishments have been highly evaluated by their peers in forestry sector.

The prize for innovative entrepreneurship was awarded to AS Latvijas Finieris, for scientific contribution to the sector’s development – to Bruno Andersons, for sustainable management – to Madars Kalniņš.

The annual prize of the forestry sector Zelta čiekurs has been awarded for the fifth time. The assessment of candidates is organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, and it takes place in two rounds. In the first round, candidates are assessed by experts, while in the second: the Forest Days’ committee. Five annual prize winners are selected in the nomination For Life Contribution, and for other nominations – several nominees, one of which shall be the winner of the annual prize.

The ceremony of presentation of the annual prize of the forestry sector Zelta čiekurs has already become a tradition. A golden cone is an embodiment of modesty, openness, and beauty of Latvia’s forest: unpretentious in soul, exquisite in shape, open as the Sun, as warm as an aspidistra and as tough as a Latvian. There is no better characteristic for an individual’s love for forest and there is no better prize either to pay homage to the work of an individual for the benefit of Latvia’s forests.