A warm tradition is reborn after a six-year hiatus
After a six-year absence, one of the city’s favorite and heartwarming sports traditions has been revived in Liepāja – a charity hockey game called “Bears fly”. This year, the sharp essence of the event was dedicated to helping Ukrainian children who need special Christmas joy this year. As Latvijas Sabiedriskie Media informs, in this important event, the local team competed on the ice Liepaja hockey club unit against guests from Ukraine – team «Kyiv Capitals».
This action, which last took place six years ago, symbolically combined sport, community support and international solidarity. The goal was to collect gifts specifically for Ukrainian children, who feel the greatest burden during this holiday due to war conditions. Both the organizers and the fans showed great commitment to support this noble cause.
The course of the game and the tradition of giving gifts
Liepāja’s ice hall gathered about 2000 fansconfirming the great interest in renewing the promotion. The game itself followed the protocol of a hockey match, but with a unique charitable element: every time a goal was scored, a game started on the ice. “rain of bears”. This emotional moment is a trademark of the charity game as spectators throw soft toys onto the pitch. After the first goal was scored, the ice was thrown about 1,300 bears and other items that will be passed on to the children after the game.
Forward of Liepāja hockey team Kevin the Workerwho also scored one of the goals, recognized the special significance of this moment: “It’s nice to score in every game, but this was something special, I’ll really remember it, I think, for the rest of my life.”
Solidarity with Ukrainian hockey
This charity event is also special because it strengthens the connection with the Kyiv team «Kyiv Capitals». As you know, this Ukrainian team is playing in the Baltic Hockey League this season, because it is extremely difficult to operate at home due to the war – training takes place in the dark, the ice melts and games are stopped due to air raids. The head of the club previously stated that the cooperation with the Latvian Hockey Federation has been very supportive, which contributed to the team finding a temporary home under a safer sky.
Thus, the meeting between the two teams was not only a sporting event, but also a symbolic bridge between Latvian and Ukrainian sports societies, confirming mutual support. Although they won the game in extra time with a score of 3:2 “Liepaja”this time the sports result in the table was relegated to the background, emphasizing the overall goal of assistance.
Gift distribution and peer support
Liepaja hockey team manager Linard Mazur Mago clarified how the donated goods will be distributed: “We will deliver half to the children in Liepāja for Christmas, and we will also donate the other half to the children of Ukraine to the team in Kyiv, which they will further sell and deliver to the children as well.” Thus, the support will reach both local children who need help, as well as children affected by the war in Ukraine.
At the event, fans celebrated not only the return of hockey, but also the opportunity to make a personal contribution to the good work. One of the visitors, Ange, said with his daughter: “We also talked with my daughter before that we are glad that we can also help a child who may not be so lucky in life.” This comment reflects the emotional value that these types of events bring to society.
Future perspective and the role of sport
The renewal of the “Lido lāči” charity campaign in Liepāja confirms the revival of the city’s hockey life, especially considering that HK “Liepāja” has returned to the highest level of the Baltic Hockey League and competes with such clubs as “Kyiv Capitals”. Such a public event not only helps children, but also promotes the popularity of sports and provides a positive reflection on the city’s image, serving as an example of how sports can be used as a powerful social support mechanism.
Christmas time, which usually passes in a calm and family atmosphere, this year in Liepāja was supplemented with a warm wave of help, which through hockey will reach those who need it the most right now – children in Ukraine and Latvia.
