The Latvian Seim unanimously voted for the granting of Latvian citizenship to the world-famous actor and dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov.

Baryshnikov - a native of Riga, who emigrated from the Soviet Union in 1974 at the age of 26. After the next tour, he refused to return to the USSR and stayed to live in New York.

During the debate in the Latvian parliament, the head of the commission on citizenship Ilmars Latkovskis of the National Alliance said that he "does not see any reasons preventing citizenship" - he said that Baryshnikov's global fame will promote the popularization of Latvia.

For granting to the actor the Latvian citizenship 84 deputies of a diet voted, against - any. The decision was greeted with applause.

To obtain Latvian citizenship, a process of naturalization is usually required, but the Sejm has the right to make an exception for special merits to Latvia.

Earlier, Baryshnikov wrote an open letter, in which he told about warm feelings towards Latvia and expressed a desire to participate more actively in the affairs of his homeland, helping to develop projects of folk art.

As the publication lsm. Lv, passport of a Latvian citizen will be presented to Baryshnikov at a special ceremony on April 27.