Ināra Aploka celebrates a milestone birthday!
Ināra Aploka, the director of the Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) Library, has just celebrated a milestone birthday. This was a great reason to sit down with her to get to know her better.
Ināra Aploka. Photo: RSU
Ināra Aploka became the director of the RSU (formerly the Rīga Medical Institute) Library in 1984 at the invitation of Rector Professor Vladislavs Korzāns. She initiated the modernisation of the library, and in 1987, moved the collection from the old premises at Padomju Boulevard (now Zigfrīda Annas Meierovica Boulevard) to the new location at 16 Dzirciema Street. “On 1 October this year, it will be 40 years since I started working at RSU,” Aploka says with a smile.
What is your motto in life?
All situations and problems in life can be solved, but sometimes it is better to keep them for tomorrow.
What are your favourite foods and drinks?
Cold water with lemon and mint, martini on festive occasions, and prawns in various preparations.
What makes you happy every day?
Being surrounded by loved ones, the beauty of nature in all seasons, especially summer evenings by the water with a bonfire, and the scent of jasmine.
What time of year do you feel the best? And why?
I love autumn when nature turns into a palette of colours and everything shines like gold in the sun, and I love May when everything is fresh, green, and in bloom.
What book, film, opera, ballet or theatre performance has particularly moved or influenced you?
Margaret Mitchell's novel Gone with the Wind and the film adaptation with the once-famous actors Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable. My life motto for dealing with complicated life problems, “I'll think about that tomorrow,” comes from there. I was particularly touched by the Latvian series about Emīlija Benjamiņa, and even after a long time, I enjoyed watching Jānis Streičs' film Likteņdzirnas (The Mills of Destiny). A spectacular and memorable experience with beautiful flowing voices and decorations was the premiere of the comic opera The Elixir of Love by Gaetano Donizetti at the Latvian National Opera and Ballet in May. For the second year, I have subscribed to the series of novels Evening Novel by Latvian Media, and I am currently reading Sanita Strautniece's novel Kvēlojošie (The Glowing). It's her second novel, and I enjoy the captivating plot.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Books, boat trips in the summer, previously skiing in the winter, cycling and a good film. I take care of my flower beds and sometimes even talk to the flowers if they don't want to bloom or grow. It really helps sometimes...
RSU senior management congratulates Ināra Aploka on her milestone birthday. Left to right: Vice-Rector for Health Studies Andris Skride, Vice-Rector for Science Agrita Kiopa, Ināra Aploka, and Rector Aigars Pētersons. Photo: RSU
What are your interests or hobbies?
Baking something delicious for the family – pīrādziņi (crescent-shaped baked bread rolls – ed.), pizza, pie – and preserving food for the winter.
If you had the chance to meet and talk to a historical figure, who would it be and why?
It's hard to say, but it might be President Kārlis Ulmanis. Why did he make the fateful decision not to resist the occupiers? The outcome would be the same, and there would have been many casualties, but the historical consciousness would be different.
What needs to be done to make the world a better place?
We should not repay evil for evil, although this is not always possible in life. Wherever possible, we should act with kindness. I admire the French people, where reason prevailed in the elections. There is so much evil in the world, but the good still keeps the world in balance. I sincerely hope that the empire of evil will eventually collapse, just as the Soviet Union did.
