Dace Melbarde

Dace Melbārde is Latvias Minister of Education and Science, with an extensive career in public service including roles as Minister of Culture, a Member of the European Parliament, and Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She holds Masters degrees from the University of Latvia and the Latvian Academy of Culture.

Outside of her political career, she has a strong interest in both sports and the arts. Her hobbies include tennis, skiing, and roller-skating, as well as cultural pursuits like reading historical Latvian novels, singing, and playing the guitar.

She successfully led the initiative to have the Latvian Song and Dance Celebration tradition included in UNESCOs list of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.