Dace Melbārde
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Dace Melbārde (born 3 April 1971) is a
Latvia Latvia, officially the Republic of Latvia, is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is one of the three Baltic states, along with Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south. It borders Russia to the east and Belarus to t ...
n politician. She is a member of
New Unity The New Unity (, JV) is a centre-right political alliance in Latvia. Its members are Unity and four other regional parties, and it is orientated towards liberal-conservatism and liberalism. History Before the 2018 Latvian parliamentary ele ...
, having defected from the National Alliance in 2022 and was the Latvian minister of culture from 2013 to 2019. In May 2019, representing the political party National Alliance, she was elected as a
Member of the European Parliament A member of the European Parliament (MEP) is a person who has been Election, elected to serve as a popular representative in the European Parliament. When the European Parliament (then known as the Common Assembly of the European Coal and S ...
, where she joined the
European Conservatives and Reformists European Conservatives and Reformists may refer to: *European Conservatives and Reformists Party (ECR Party), a soft Eurosceptic European political party *European Conservatives and Reformists Group The European Conservatives and Reformists ...
group.


Biography

She studied at Valmiera's 1st Secondary school (1989),
University of Latvia University of Latvia (, shortened ''LU'') is a public research university located in Riga, Latvia. The university was established in 1919. History The University of Latvia, initially named as the Higher School of Latvia () was founded on Se ...
school of history and philosophy (Bachelor's degree in History Sciences, 1994), Latvian Academy of Culture (Master's degree in cultural theory, administration and history speciality, 1996) and the University of Latvia's School of Economics and Management (Master's degree in company management, 2001). During the period from 1992 to 1995, Melbarde was the chief specialist of education and information work at the Latvian War Museum. From 1994 to 1996, led a cultural centre at the Latvian Police College. From 1996 to 1999, she was deputy director of the National Youth Initiative Centre. Then, until 2004, she was general secretary at
UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO ) is a List of specialized agencies of the United Nations, specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) with the aim of promoting world peace and International secur ...
's National Commission of Latvia. From 2003 to 2005, Chairman of the Council for the Conservation and Development of the Historical Centre of
Riga Riga ( ) is the capital, Primate city, primate, and List of cities and towns in Latvia, largest city of Latvia. Home to 591,882 inhabitants (as of 2025), the city accounts for a third of Latvia's total population. The population of Riga Planni ...
. From 2004 to 2006, Member of the Council of Ministers ''Education for All.'' Former Under-Secretary of State on Cultural Policy Issues of the Latvian Ministry of Culture from 2004 to 2009. During the period 2005-2009, member of the artistic council of the
Latvian Song and Dance Festival The Latvian Song and Dance Festival () is one of the largest amateur choral and dancing events in the world, and an important event in Latvians, Latvian culture and social life. As one of the Baltic song festivals, it is also a part of the UNES ...
. The following two years have been the Country Manager of the British Council Latvia. In 2011, she became Director of the State Centre for Arts Education and Intangible Heritage. In 2013, Melbarde became Minister for culture of the Republic of
Latvia Latvia, officially the Republic of Latvia, is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is one of the three Baltic states, along with Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south. It borders Russia to the east and Belarus to t ...
she held this position till 2019 when she was elected as a
Member of the European Parliament A member of the European Parliament (MEP) is a person who has been Election, elected to serve as a popular representative in the European Parliament. When the European Parliament (then known as the Common Assembly of the European Coal and S ...
. In 1999 and 2000, awarded by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Latvia for the Contribution to the Development of the Youth Policy in Latvia. In 2002, awarded by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia for the Achievements in Building of the Latvian State. In 2005, was the finalist of the World Competition „The Outstanding Young Persons” organized by the Junior Chamber International, and Winner of the National Competition in the nomination “Achievements in Culture”. Received award by the Speaker of the Parliament of the
Republic of Latvia Latvia, officially the Republic of Latvia, is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is one of the three Baltic states, along with Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south. It borders Russia to the east and Belarus to t ...
for the Contribution to Organising the Latvian School Children and Youth Song and Dance Celebration in 2005. Awarded with the Spīdola Award by the National Cultural Foundation for the Excellence in the Management of Culture in 2005. In 2013, awarded with the
Order of the Three Stars Order of the Three Stars () is the highest civilian order awarded for meritorious service to Latvia. It was established in 1924 in remembrance of the founding of Latvia. Its motto is ''Per aspera ad astra'', meaning "Through hardships towards the ...
4th class.


Political action

Following the resignation of Žaneta Jaunzeme-Grendein October 2013, Melbarde was confirmed as a non-party representative of the Latvian Minister for Culture in the government of
Valdis Dombrovskis Valdis Dombrovskis (; born 5 August 1971) is a Latvian politician serving as Executive Vice President of the European Commission for An Economy that Works for People since 2019 and European Commissioner for Trade since 2020. He previously serv ...
. In total Melbarde has worked as Minister for Culture in five governments: * 31 October 2013 - Minister for Culture of the Republic in the government led by
Valdis Dombrovskis Valdis Dombrovskis (; born 5 August 1971) is a Latvian politician serving as Executive Vice President of the European Commission for An Economy that Works for People since 2019 and European Commissioner for Trade since 2020. He previously serv ...
* 22 January 2014 - Minister for Culture of the Republic in the government led by Laimdota Straujuma * 5 November 2014 - Minister for Culture of the Republic in the government led by Laimdota Straujuma * 11 February 2016 - Minister for Culture of the Republic in the government led by Māris Kučinskis * 23 January 2019 - Minister for Culture of the Republic in the government led by Arturs Krišjānis Kariņš She joined the political party National Alliance in February 2014. The same year she was elected to the parliament of the
Republic of Latvia Latvia, officially the Republic of Latvia, is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is one of the three Baltic states, along with Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south. It borders Russia to the east and Belarus to t ...
, the
Saeima The Saeima () is the parliament of the Latvia, Republic of Latvia. It is a unicameral parliament consisting of 100 members who are elected by proportional representation, with seats allocated to political parties which gain at least 5% of the p ...
. She was re-elected to the Saeima at the next term as well. On 22 August 2022 she left the National Alliance and joined
New Unity The New Unity (, JV) is a centre-right political alliance in Latvia. Its members are Unity and four other regional parties, and it is orientated towards liberal-conservatism and liberalism. History Before the 2018 Latvian parliamentary ele ...
. On 6 March 2025, she was confirmed as Minister of Education and Science, replacing Anda Čakša.


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Melbarde, Dace 1971 births Living people Politicians from Riga National Alliance (Latvia) politicians Ministers of culture of Latvia Deputies of the 12th Saeima Deputies of the 13th Saeima MEPs for Latvia 2019–2024 Women government ministers of Latvia Women MEPs for Latvia 21st-century Latvian women politicians Latvian Academy of Culture alumni New Unity politicians Women deputies of the Saeima Ministers of education and science of Latvia