Sandra Kalniete

Sandra Kalniete, born in 1952, is a Latvian politician, author, diplomat and independence movement leader. Her political career began in the Latvian Popular Front, where she was secretary general. Later she served her country as the ambassador to the United Nations and France. She served as Foreign Minister of Latvia (2002–2004) and as European Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries in 2004. Since 2009, she has served as Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the European People's Party. She is the author of four works of nonfiction. Kalniete's most notable book is With Dancing Shoes in Siberian Snows, a book about the deportation of her family to Siberia during the Stalin era and her family’s efforts to return to their home country, first published in 2001. When published in French in 2003 as En escarpins dans les neiges de Sibérie, it was nominated for the documentary book of the month by the readers of Elle magazine. Since its publishing, it has been translated into more than ten languages.
 

Prjaņiks. Debesmannā. Tiramisū. [Gingerbread. Sweet-porridge. Tiramisu], Riga: Zelta grauds 2012.

Ar balles kurpēm Sibīrijas sniegos [With Dancing Shoes in Siberian Snows], Riga: Atēna, 2001

Es lauzu, tu lauzi, mēs lauzām. Viņi lūza [I broke, you broke, we broke. They fell apart]. Riga: Jumava, 2000.

Latviešu tekstilmāksla [Latvian Textile Art]. Riga: Liesma, 1989.
 

About With Dance Shoes in Siberian Snows // Kirkus Reviews, 2009 [EN]

About the new edition of With Dance Shoes in Siberian Snows // Jānis Roze publishing [LV]

Jessica LeTourneur, review of With Dance Shoes in Siberian Snows // Thee Percent, University of Rochester, 2011 [EN]

Paul Gould, review of With Dance Shoes in Siberian Snows // Financial Times, 2009 [EN]

2012, Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana, 2nd degree (Estonia)

2009, Fondation Mérite Européen gold medal for promoting a stronger and more unified Europe

2009, Medal of the Baltic Assembly, for organizing and coordinating the Baltic Way manifestation.

2005, The Grand Cross of Commander, the Cross of Merit (Latvia)

2004, The Grand Cross of Commander, the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gedeminas (Lithuania)

2002, Commandeur dans l'Ordre des Palmes académiques (France)

2001, Commandeur de la Légion d'Honneur (France)

2000, Cabinet of Ministers Award (Latvia)

1995, Commander of the Three Stars Order (Latvia)