The United Nations declared 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, and accordingly the 45th International Children's Exhibition of Fine Arts Lidice was dedicated to the theme "Travel". This year, 125 Latvian schools and individuals were registered for the exhibition. 671 works, paintings, drawings, graphics, ceramics and combined spatial works from schools and children's centers were brought to the Czech Republic, from which the expert jury selected 43 most successful works and awarded 35 certificates of honor and 8 medals "Lidická růže".

In the afternoon, Ms Hana Havránková on behalf of the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Riga made the opening speech on the occasion of the announcement of the winners of the 45th International Children's Exhibition of Fine Arts (ICEFA) Lidice 2017. She greeted all the attendees and appreciated the successes of young successful artists. She also welcomed a distinguished guest, the curator of ICEFA Lidice Mgr. Ivona Kasalická. The curator in her speech highly appreciated the participation of Latvia and the works of young artists, their teachers and parents. Ms Agra Bērziņa from the National Center for Education of Latvia also addressed the awarded children.

Then, Ms Ivona Kasalická awarded the most successful young artists with the diplomas and medals. After that, the participants could enjoyed the screening of the Czech fairytale "Lotrando and Zubejda" by director Karel Smyczek. The film was translated into Latvian by Māris Delveris and simultaneously translated by Elina Krupovič.

The young Latvian authors and their teachers have again reaffirmed that their country has traditionally been one of the most significant participant at the ICEFA Lidice. This is the joint work of enthusiasm, talent and endurance of children's painters and their teachers and parents, as well as the dedicated annual help by Ms. Ilze Rimicāne, art director of the Daugmale Children's and Youth Center in Riga and Areta Raudzepa, assistant of the National Center for Education of the Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia.

The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Riga appreciates the opportunity to welcome in Riga a prominent guest, curator of ICEFA Lidice Ms Ivona Kasalická. Czech Embassy has been traditionally and proudly supporting this important international competition.