LatvianGirls.net EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Marika Ģederte, President of Latvian Blondes Association

We were impressed by the Blondes Parade, and it was just power of suggestion to ask Queen of Blondes Marika Ģederte for a interview covering many local and foreign questions. Now we have it here. Marika appeared to be a very easy going person, despite we suspect she is very busy, we've got her replies just within few days. Such fact brings a lot of respect. Besides of it, in the interview you will discover some facts and opinions about Blondes Parade, and some other views of life of Marika. Enjoy your reading!

Marika, how the idea to open a Blondes Club came out, and how much time did it take to plan and make the Parade happen?

Well, last year I took a part as invited guest in Bulgaria in similar parade, organized by International Blondes association. I am business woman, managing daily three companies in Latvia, I immediately understood that Latvia has more potential to organize such event. We have beautiful blonde woman, I guess more than 60% of woman. So, in order to get details and original idea, we created Blonde association in Latvia too.

Nowadays is hard to get cash sponsor, specially in such short time, but response of partners to help us with gift cards, service and valued cooperation were very high and positive. Seems they also liked the idea. We anticipated and offered high local publicity, also created Go Blonde brochure. But in general I see that as a unique commercial and tourism project and will work hard to pay our first investment back next year.

Yes, this is true. I requested Riga City Council to cover rental expenses of the nicest building in Old City for gala charity ball Melngalvju Nams (Black Head building ). We proved that it will be a unique and positive tourism project and I appreciated very much that they believed me in such hard time for Latvia.

Latvia has around 60% woman with light colored hair (from platinum till dark gold shades) and I saw this as a unique brand of Latvia. Our target is not to fight with stereotypes just to show that blondes take life more easy and in positive way. Blonde color of hairs and light and bright clothes always keep in positive mood better than those who wears dark clothes. Riga always was called "A little Paris" because of its style of dressing. Despite of having no sun in Latvia, we need to live more easy, not so depressive. It was up to the neck to hear bad news in TV, newspapers and internet and I decided – lets do it and make life brighter.

Blondes attract more attention because they prefer more jewellery, gold (it suits to their hair color) – they are more visible than others also they choose bright colors – red, pink, yellow, blue. Car dealers always say that the first color, and the most safe color on road, is red. That would be one of the explanations.

Parade proves that Blondes can be a Power, Blondes loves children and pets and we decided to create Latvian Blondes association to prove that we can do something together, not only fun but also for charity. Our main target is to build up for children with special needs public playgrounds. One of the items always will be pink (for little girls) so everybody will know that it comes from LBA.

For first time the number of participants were around 600 ladies, according to police statistics. It is difficult to ask individuals to join such event (specially for the first time) as Latvians are very shy. I decided that teams would be the best solution and then we could motive with gifts the best and most original teams. Our dress code was: red, pink and white. 70% ladies preferred pink and white, less red. I believe that next year we will reach our main goal to have 2000 ladies. Our dress code for next year will be yellow and everybody is very welcome to participate.

We are still collecting funds and thanks to different foreigners we hope to make this happen already this year. Yes, plush toys we will deliver to families with financial difficulties already this month.

No, we are not related to US Blonde Legal Defense Club but it is related to fact that 31st of May is National Blonde Day all over the world. Smaller or bigger events happening in many countries I believe.

Every new thing has to pass hard beginning and it is normal. Our message perhaps will be understood after we will set up first playground and organize events for children according our plans. Well, I guess people finally saw that it is nothing to do with pride. May is officially family month in Latvia and full of different activities also because of weather. It is sad to hear that but Latvians do not use to exhibit themselves. Of course it was risky and brave decidion to organize parade and we did it successfully.
I support classic family values and I am neutral and not interested in such activities by lesbians and gays.

One of the Parade's mottos was "Make the World a Brighter Place". With no doubt, people love shining. However between many Latvians themselves, the Parade was described with a lot of scepticism, because, in their opinion, such "shining" could just attract sex-tourists, and stimulate prostitution. What do You think about such opinions? Do You have some "hidden weapon" to fight against them?