Jānis Streičs, a renowned Latvian filmmaker and screenwriter, passed away on March 5 at the age of 89. His farewell ceremony will occur on March 22, starting at noon, at the Riga Latvian Society House. Alongside the ceremony, films directed by Streičs will be screened throughout the day at Vērmanes Garden on a large screen, allowing fans and admirers to celebrate his legacy.

Streičs is celebrated for his extensive body of work, which includes over 20 feature films, with almost half of them being authored by him. Notably, his 1981 film "Limuzīns Jāņu nakts krāsā" is included in the Latvian Cultural Canon, highlighting its significance in the country's cinematic heritage. His film "Cilvēka bērns" earned him the top prize at the Sanremo International Author Film Festival and the "Beato Angelico for Europe" award from the Vatican, marking him as the first recipient of such an honor from Latvia.

In addition to his cinematic contributions, Streičs was also an active public figure, known for his influential speech at the Soviet Cinematographers' Union Congress in Moscow in 1986, advocating for the freedom and independence of Latvian cinema. His legacy not only lies in his films but also in his efforts to support and elevate Latvian culture on the international stage, making his farewell a significant event for the Latvian community and beyond.