Ex-Soviet countries of Latvia came up with an ingenious way to put yourself on the map.

They recently held their first annual "Blonde parade" in the capital Riga. Local residents decided to fight "the blues" associated with them as a serious economic recession with an overwhelming touch "pink" instead.

I must admit it's certainly brought a big smile on my face, to hear about it.

And I'm sure it will for you too. ;)
POSITIVE ENERGY
Blonde Parade lifts spirits in gloomy Latvia
Latvians can be feelings of depression as a result of the economic crisis that has hammered the Baltic state, and more than 500 blondes have done everything to raise the spirit in Riga on Sunday with a parade and other "blonde weekend" events.
The global economic crisis has hit particularly hard Baltic Latvia and left people feeling blue. But one group of Latvian women took a new approach to dealing with common sense of doom and gloom.
On Sunday, a procession of more than 500 blondes marched through the capital Riga, wearing pink and white. Many of them were accompanied by a lap dog to wear the same cheerful colors. Their goal: to use her beauty to shine a little light in a dark mood caused by the global slowdown.
Although it was not a protest march, some women used to resist stereotypes. "I am beautiful, but I'm not stupid," Ilone Zigure told the news agency AFP. The student added that she hopes that those of her compatriots who are depressed about the economic crisis, will find it a "positive energy" contagious.
It's a feeling that many observations parade together. "Finally, something positive," a 70-year-old woman watching the parade told AFP. "I just can not listen to people talk about a crisis any more."
The parade was only part of a series of events that make up the Riga "Blonde Weekend," which also included a golf tournament, fashion show, a ball and a drawing competition for children. Latvian Association of blondes, which organized the event, hoping to use any proceeds from the activity over the weekend toward a playground for children with disabilities.
jtw - with wire reports

POSITIVE ENERGY

Blonde Parade lifts spirits in gloomy Latvia

Latvians can be feelings of depression as a result of the economic crisis that has hammered the Baltic state, and more than 500 blondes have done everything to raise the spirit in Riga on Sunday with a parade and other "blonde weekend" events.

The global economic crisis has hit particularly hard Baltic Latvia and left people feeling blue. But one group of Latvian women took a new approach to dealing with common sense of doom and gloom.

On Sunday, a procession of more than 500 blondes marched through the capital Riga, wearing pink and white. Many of them were accompanied by a lap dog to wear the same cheerful colors. Their goal: to use her beauty to shine a little light in a dark mood caused by the global slowdown.

Although it was not a protest march, some women used to resist stereotypes. "I am beautiful, but I'm not stupid," Ilone Zigure told the news agency AFP. The student added that she hopes that those of her compatriots who are depressed about the economic crisis, will find it a "positive energy" contagious.

It's a feeling that many observations parade together. "Finally, something positive," a 70-year-old woman watching the parade told AFP. "I just can not listen to people talk about a crisis any more."

The parade was only part of a series of events that make up the Riga "Blonde Weekend," which also included a golf tournament, fashion show, a ball and a drawing competition for children. Latvian Association of blondes, which organized the event, hoping to use any proceeds from the activity over the weekend toward a playground for children with disabilities.