"A resident of Talsi, a smart person, doesn’t wander up the hills, they go..." People are outraged by the alcohol advertisement in the city. Local authorities explained the situation.
A resident of Talsi contacted the editorial office of the newspaper "Talsu Vesti," expressing outrage over the outdoor advertisement placed on the wall of an apartment building on Dandagas Street, near the "Neste" gas station. It turned out that the advertisement was placed without permission.
"I understand that advertising is beneficial for entrepreneurs, but doesn’t the municipality set any restrictions on the content of advertisements? This morning, when I saw this advertisement, I felt like we live in a city of drunks wandering the streets. Do the responsible authorities support the placement of such advertisements in the city center, where people go to educational institutions?" asks the resident of Talsi.
"A resident of Talsi, a smart person, doesn’t wander up the hills — they go to AlkOutiet."
The slogan uses the well-known so-called "calling card of Talsi." The city of Talsi in Latvia is known as "the city on nine hills" (Latvian: Talsi — deviņu pakalnu pilsēta), and this image is actively used in tourist marketing, slogans, and city symbolism to attract visitors.
The head of the construction department of the Talsi municipality, city architect Emīls Gulbis, stated that the application for the advertisement placement was received on the same day it was physically installed. According to the rules "On the Placement of Advertisements, Signs, and Other Informational Materials in Public Places," placement is only possible after obtaining permission from the construction department. A fine is imposed for placing advertisements without permission — up to 280 units for legal entities.
Moreover, the construction authority has the right to refuse to issue a permit, considering the content of the advertisement text.
Meanwhile, residents of the city are actively expressing their dissatisfaction: they consider the advertisement for the sale of alcohol unacceptable and dangerous to public values.
Dita Neimans: "Horrible! Well said! A smart person will go up the hill to enjoy nature, not wander around some alcohol bar! I’m also a resident of Talsi!"
Atbalsta un profilakses centrs Tavai Brīvībai: "Thank you to the residents for their socially responsible behavior! 🙌 In a country where alcohol consumption is one of the highest in Europe and where almost every family has sad experiences of excessive consumption, such advertising is unacceptable. You can always stop! Seek support 🙏"
Anita Zeiliņa: "Residents could demand compensation for moral damage. And let it be substantial."
Mairita Grīnberga: "And then they will be wandering and shouting all over Talsi!"
Baiba Mierkalne: "This is great 👍👍👍🤣🤣🤣 My respect to the author."
Edgars Kuks: "I told the same to my wife while passing by — this is just a terrible level: an advertisement in the city center calls to go buy alcohol cheaper."
Sandijs Lauvenšteins: "If you want to drink — go to Talsi 🤣🤣🤣"
Daina Vītoliņa: "I was shocked by what I saw"
Viesturs Broze: "If the house receives some money for the poster and pays the bills — let them place it. I don’t care what they are advertising 🙂"
Dace Tālberga: "I’m not proud of such advertising in Talsi! 🙈 Simple and banal. The calling card of Talsi is the 9 hills! ❤️" Dace Kiršteine: "A week ago I took a photo of this advertisement. They say that alcohol and gambling cannot be advertised, and here it is right up top for everyone to see. It does not bring honor to the city."
Jānis Eikins: "Advertising is advertising, no one forces you to read it. There’s no need to get angry about it, enjoy yourself 😆" Jana NA: "They come to AlkOutlet, and then wander around the hills."
Uldis Priekulis: "This is a mistake. A wannabe local wrote this; that’s not how they talk in Talsi."
Sanita Priede: "Is alcohol allowed to be advertised in our country?"
Agnese Kalnina-Berzina: "Can you drink while walking in the forest? It’s scary that such advertising is visible even to children."
Most residents consider the advertisement unacceptable, criticize it as socially dangerous, and call for more responsible city policies regarding outdoor advertising.
