New Car Carrier #119 THE MAN, THE TRUCK DRIVER, THE LEGEND
News
09. Jul '24
Kurbads Honors Legendary Latvian Adventurer Aleksandrs Laime
In commemoration of the legendary Latvian explorer and adventurer Aleksandrs Laime, who would have celebrated his 113th birthday on July 9th, the company Kurbads has created a special design for a car carrier cabin. The cabin is adorned with a visual collage created by the artist Alfreds Paulausks, centered around a historically significant photograph from Aleksandrs Laime's expedition in South America. The original photograph was obtained from Laime's friend Ēriks Dzenis's personal photo archive.
Aleksandrs Laime was the first person to reach the 979-meter high Angel Falls in Venezuela on foot. He named the river on which the world's highest waterfall is located after the Latvian river Gauja (Rio Gauja). The waterfall itself was named in honor of pilot Jimmie Angel, who discovered it in 1933 while flying over it.
Preserving Aleksandrs’ memory is a tribute to our drivers and all employees in the transport sector, as well as a contribution to the cultural development of the industry.
Andis Pikāns, owner of Kurbads, states: "The success of our company is based on our driver-dispatchers, the main work 'bees,' who perform significant and challenging work every day, similar to Aleksandrs Laime several decades ago. Preserving Aleksandrs’ memory is a tribute to our drivers and all employees in the transport sector, as well as a contribution to the cultural development of the industry. Kurbads' goal is not only to be leaders in automotive logistics but also to serve as a model for other companies in the industry, emphasizing that human resources in Latvia are our greatest value."
The tradition of commemorating outstanding Latvian personalities continues with a new YouTube video in which journalist and producer of the film "Aleksandrs Laime and the Diamonds of Angel Falls" (2011), Valdis Ābols, shares fascinating stories about Laime's life and his incredible journeys, inspiring viewers to learn about this unique person and his achievements. Aleksandrs Laime's story will continue to live within us, and Kurbads is ready to take it to the world.
In 1949, Aleksandrs Laime was included as a guide and interpreter in a "National Geographic" expedition.
It should be mentioned that Aleksandrs Laime's life path was filled with exciting adventures, travel stories, and descriptions. Starting with travels across Europe in his teenage years, to exploring the jungles and mountainous regions of Venezuela. An insatiable thirst for adventure, the lure of diamonds and gold, travels, expeditions, and research were what captivated Aleksandrs Laime. He also explored sparsely populated areas in Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador. In 1949, Aleksandrs Laime was included as a guide and interpreter in a "National Geographic" expedition. The expedition aimed to remeasure the height of Angel Falls, resulting in a precise map of the area. It should be mentioned that Laime, while describing the picturesque Canaima plateau, also named other then-unknown rivers after Latvian rivers, such as Rio Daugava, Rio Venta, and Rio Ogre. A fantastic viewpoint on Angel Falls is named after him – “Laime Mirador” or “Laime's Balcony.”
