Tukums-2000

This year Tukums celebrates its 550^th town anniversary. The most important summer events were two festivals: Town Festival "Tukums – 2000" and Friendship Festival for twinning towns. "Tukums – 2000", held in June 21-23, consists off many different events. One of these events was the exhibition by local entrepreneurs, held every two years. This year more than 20 town enterprises, institutions, and non-government organisations participated in the exhibition.

During the festival also different charity events were held – e. g. the campaign "Tukums time".

Already since the spring the campaign is being held to raise the money for the reconstruction of the clock at the Tukums Lutheran church tower. Tukums musicians prepared a unique CD "Song for my town" with 12 songs. The songs are composed and performed by the musicians themselves. The choir of Tukums town council employees also performed in the presentation of CD in the club "Grands". Festival concerts were provided by groups from twinning town Plunge, dancing group from Estonia and Swedish-American jazz band "The Soul – Boy Band". In the frame of festival the parade "Through the century" that united all people, town residents and guests, was organised.

Two years ago Tukums town council funded a special award "Tukums Honour Citizen". For the first time the award was given in 1999 to Else – Marie Bertilsson, resident from Tukums twinning town Tidaholm. This year it went to Rasma Valdmane, music teacher at Rainis Secondary School nr. 1 and the conductor of choirs "Savejie" and "Noktirne".

The Town Festival means keeping every house yard and surroundings clean and tidy, but it also means satisfaction with the work being done and it gives people the feeling of being united.