Warm Relationship with Riga Black Balsam on Cold Season

I usually don't get that excited to write 4 tweets about the same thing in 15 minutes. But it happened to me today and I guess that's a sign I should write a blog about it... In fact, I already did it... a year ago... Here: Where to Get The Best Medicine Ever - Honey, Herbs and Riga Black Balsam? 

The thing is that this story will be about that one magical ingredient  - Riga Black Balsam. 

I know I've been lazy (again) and I actually should write a blog about my Poland - Italy trip, but there are some obvious reasons I feel I should write about Riga Black Balsam today.

1) My Riga Black Balsam season has started exactly today

2) Riga Black Balsam is one of the best things in Riga

3) 2 days ago I tried (yes, the first time in my life) Riga Coffee (with the same magical ingredient) - although home-made coffee with balsam has been my love for several years

4) With my flatmates today we discovered a new recipe to fight cold (with the same magical ingredient)

5)  I discovered @RigaBlackBalsam on Twitter

And here come some explanations:

Riga Black Balsam season lasts from around October to March, so - cold season. No,that's not any kind of official season, that's my personal season. This beverage is good on summer with ice-cream too, but there is one big reason why cold months of the year is Black Balsam season. I've got out of all winter colds and sicknesses without any strong medicine for 2 winters because I use this magical ingredient. No, it doesn't mean I've been walking around drunk. It means that if I say that remedy for everything is Riga Black Balsam  - I really mean it.

My flatmate caught first awful autumn cold, and we are not people who have medicine at home. I'm usually the one people ask how to get out of cold (probably my old traditional recipes that do not include medicine you get at your doctor or pharmacy work well and do not hurt wallets). You already know my answer for cold season, so we were running to shop to get it. Well, since today at least all cold season we will keep it at home as I've done it for previous winters. 

And here comes our new recipe to fight cold:

Mix together hot water, honey, Riga Black Balsam, some pieces of lemon, a bit of cinnamon and black pepper. Ehm... That all to taste... We find it not only delicious, but also extremely helpful hot drink. (We invented it today, just in case if someone else hasn't discovered it before us although I'm not so sure about it).

My German friends totally love Riga Black Balsam, but two days ago I met a guy from Brazil who told me - "Oh, you mean that strong dark brown drink! Well... Some shots with it was my mistake last night, so I was totally wasted..." I didn't ask how many shots he drunk, but talking about me - I definitely feel much better having coffee with Riga Black Balsam especially when the central heating in Riga is not on yet and cold is knocking on windows.

So, if you are coming to Riga - at least try it! You can get it in almost every shop, cafe and bar. I don't ask you to drink it plain, try it in cocktails or coffee - it is delicious!

"Path of Christmas Trees" - Find Your Avant-garde Christmas Tree!

Last year there was 500 years celebration since the first tree in Christmas was decorated in Riga in 1510, but this year Riga is full with traditional and absolutely avant-garde trees - the festival „Path of Christmas Trees” is in Riga – one of these artistic festivals in Riga turning the urban environment in the miraculous place of wonders. Of course, the best time to see these objects is dark hours of the day.

42 different objects in the urban environment – free to see, enjoy and get inspired until 15th of January. 14 of these objects are made by new artists of Latvian Academy of Art. All objects are copyrighted and unique created for this festival-competition. The first festival „Path of Christmas Trees” was the last year and there is a promise that it will be in Riga every year. 

About first Christmas Tree

To find your favorite tree use this - Map of „Path of Christmas Trees” 2011 

What else you can do in Riga at this season? See previous posts: Winter in Riga: What to do? & Christmas Markets & the Nutcracker

You might also enjoy these pictures of "Beaming Riga" festival which changes the urban environment in November

Winter in Riga: What to Do?

Winter is not just about Christmas, although that’s what we all think starting from November till first weeks of December. Till the middle of December majority of us  is already tired of Christmas on every corner. For those, coming to catch Christmas mood in Riga, see previous post about Christmas Markets and the Nutcracker.

But!

What  about other winter activities in Riga? Ok, it’s cold here, so you walk around get into some cafe to warm up, walk again and get again in some random cafe. Nope, it doesn’t have to be like this. Here are some options  for you to enjoy winter in Riga:

Day of Museums! The best time to visit museums is winter, for sure! Art lovers, you have a lot to see here – huge collection of Latvian Art history in a permanent exposition you will find at the  Latvian National Museum of Art (K.Valdemāra Street 10a) and walking through the Old Town, you will find a lot of small art galleries. History lovers, check the Occupation Museum at the Town Hall square and War Museum at Torņa street with impressive medieval Powder Tower or huge Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation at Palasta street 4 (Old Town). The sunniest place in Riga is Sun Museum at the Old Town – different Sun items from different places in the world, the most playful place – Doll Museum,  the hottest museum (just opened in Riga) – Museum of Erotic. Maybe Art Nouveau museum?

Skating! (Skating rinks are not opened yet, but will surely be there as soon as real winter is here). It’s a great  option to warm up in winter! You will find one skating-rink at the Old Town, one in the last stop of the Tram nr. 11 – Mežaparks (with natural ice) and many more. The most pompous shopping centre in Riga  - Galleria Riga - invites to the skating-rink on the top of the building! On the 7th floor above the roofs of Riga city center you can skate while enjoying panorama of Riga! /I’ll let you know as soon as winter is here and open-air skating-rinks open/

Some other winter sports? Take a day trip out of Riga - to Sigulda (around 1 hour drive from Riga) and get to know bobsleigh! Get to know it closer – not just watching, but also putting yourself into the place of a  bobsleigh sportsman! Bobsleigh season has already started! You can go there on your own, with your friends or join organized tours – almost all travel agencies are oranizing  tours to Sigulda, or ask at your hotel or hostel – a lot of them are really keen on it and glad to take Riga’s visitors to bobsleigh in Sigulda. By the way, Sigulda is also famous with its' beautiful nature and castles.

Nightlife in Riga? No changes there: Riga’s nightlife in winter is as active as in summer. Some cozy places for dancing and getting to know local people see here:  Where Locals Have Fun I, Where Locals Have Fun II

Picture:  The Entrance of the  Latvian National Museum of Art

Christmas Markets & The Nutcracker. Your Travel Destination in December: Riga

Already the next week December will be here and if you are coming to Riga on December, I’m glad you will catch our Christmas mood. Do you know from where comes the tradition of decorating Christmas tree?  The tradition spread all over the world comes form Northern Europe: the 500 years old story of decorating the Christmas tree comes from Riga!

I’m pretty sure one of the first places you will want to see will be the Old Town  where Medieval architecture lives side by side with Art Nouveau houses. And that’s the right choice – that’s where you will find Christmas markets filling cobbled streets with goods from Latvian ecological farms and hand made knick-knackeries (starting from 1st of December), that’s where you will be able to warm up with hot tea or wine. Do not forget to taste unique Riga Black Balsam, which you can get almostly in every cafe/bar with hot coffee, hot blackcurrant juice or in different coctails. One of options to enjoy it,  is Black Magic Bar (since 1752) where you will be able to get to know almostly everything about Riga Black Balsam (except its’ well kept secrets).

Another market: an old-fashion fair at Bergs Bazaar (at the city center) will be opened on 10th and 24th of December from 10am to 3pm at The Bergs Bazaar (Elizabetes Street 83/85) 

To enjoy Riga from height of birds flight, you can choose St. Peter’s church at the Old Town, you can get out of the city center to the TV Tower  or enjoy lights of Riga from the 27th floor of Radisson Blu hotel „Skyline” bar (working from 4pm, free entrance from Monday to Thursday). TheTower of the  Academy of Science is closed during this season. 

For enjoying  Christmas atmosphere with good Latvian food, Latvian music and people dressed in Latvian folk costumes you should  get out of the city centre to visit ‘LIDO’. If you are here with kids, it is a really good option: you will find there a lot of activites not only for you, but also for your kids: skating rink, place where to play with other kids (with a person who will look after children)  and other attractions. 

For those looking for entertainment with arts, you should check what Latvian National Opera (LNO) can offer you! Opera is also one of these things Latvia is famous aborad: Latvian opera singers are highly appreciated worldwide, singing on all famous stages of the world and great foreign opera singers are performing on LNO stage in Riga, historical building with pompous interior. If you like ballet,  in December 2011 LNO offers you to enjoy „Anna Karenina”, „The Sleeping Beauty” or (what can be better than this on December!!) „The Nutcracker”! Want opera? Here you are: „Don Giovanni”, „Madama Butterfly”, „Turandot”, „La Traviatta” or Latvian opera (also interesting for kids) „The Bird’s Opera”. Ticket prices from 1.50 to 18.00Ls. Check the calendar here. 

 

More options for your December in Riga on this blog coming soon! Feel free to ask, share your questions and impressions or experiences!

Festival of Lights, Riga, 2011

Holiday in Latvia with Independence Day and Festival of Lights "Staro Rīga" (Beaming Riga) is over. Now Latvia too will switch to Christmas mood.  Festival of Lights is growing every year bigger and bigger. This year there were 85 objects around the city. In these 4 days of festival (17. - 20. November) I didn't manage to see all of it.  Lights and sounds these days have been making people dizzy. You know  - it's not possible to put in  a picture live light, video projection and feelings, also - this is just a simple camera which in dark makes wonders :) Beaming Riga/ Staro Rīga  - festival of lights which changes the streets, parks, gardens of Riga in darkness with lights - from small candles till big installations and projections changing the appearance  of buildings.  

This object looked calm and quite in the urban environment. Like other people I was smiling seeing how nice this object looks and attached to discovering how it has been made, but thanks to a small child who was explaining his vision to his parents I also was able to see what it is - these are not lamps, but that's how a city with its blockhouses looks at night!

Riga channel is always surprising with light & water games in the city center, but I have never been able to make a good picture of it, well - I guess you just have to see it with your own eyes.

Public toilet! It was standing there like any other day - quiet and simple. Then it started to whisper: "Please,  look at me!" And then it turned into the Coliseum!

 The Bastion hill was filled with candles and flying ships:

Door to imaginary reality:

And at the end enjoy some fireworks from Independence Day - 18th of November right after singing national anthem  - thousands of people together at the river Daugava.

Here you can find some pictures from Beaming Riga 2010

Where to Get The Best Medicine Ever - Honey, Herbs and Riga Black Balsam?

Inspiring #TTOT (Travel Talk on Twitter), cold and dark November outside and my own home pushed me to write about it (finally). When I say that remedy for everything is Riga Black Balsam  - I really mean it. (And everyone is laughing at me). So here is my Latvian recipe of surviving cold and dark period of the year - the content of my Latvian medicine cabinet: honey, herbs and Riga Black Balsam. 

You probably are aware of medicinal properties of honey (I mean real countryside honey made by real bees from real nectar from flowers). Our ancestors knew it and used it and we keep doing the same. Such a nice medicine - even children love it! If you are in Riga, here are some places to get ecological Latvian honey: for example Honey Room next to St. Peters church in the Old Town.

Another important thing - herbs for tea. I have no idea how aware of all this herbs thing you are, but in Latvia it's a must in summers to go to meadows and woods and gather herbs for yourself, dry them and use. A lot of magic in Latvia is around Summer Solstice and Midsummers Night - it is also the best day to gather powerfull herbs. Using the right herbs at the right time will save you from all disasters of cold and winter viruses. If you've been lazy on summer and haven't picked herbs from meadows, you can get them at Riga Central Market or at one of these small eco-shops which are growing in Riga like mushrooms after the rain.

Honey + herbal tea is almost perfect combination. But there is 3rd component not less important than previous two: Riga Black Balsam. It is petty strong – made in Latvia –  herbal liquer since 1752. Add it to your herbal tea with honey, to your morning coffee, mix it with backcurrant juice, enjoy it in cocktails and party with it. You can get it everywhere around Riga, everywhere in Latvia.

Now I have told you all 3 secret components. All of them tasty separated and tasty together. I have them all at home. I really avoid useing pharmaceutical drugs and this combination of 3 (including a lot of variations of herbs) - is the key to say happy "Hi!" to cold season and enjoy it!

To tease your taste buds get to know Latvian food at Taste The Place

That Surrealist Place - Beaming Riga

I guess I've told you about this event already twice. "Beaming Riga" (Staro Rīga). This year the event will take place  form 17th to 21st on November. You just need to get to Riga and the lights and sounds will guide you through the city which will surprise you with colors, lights, music, technology and CREATIVITY.

So I found some pictures I took at Beaming Riga last year. Well, these are definitely not the best pictures because of darkness, bad camera, snow etc., but anyway might give you some insight of this event.

If you have attended Beaming Riga and have some great pics, I would be glad if you share them with me! You can post the link on comments, tweet (@friendinriga) on Twitter or send me the mail. While I don't see your beaming pictures, enjoy these ones from 2010!

18th of November: Through National Songs and Lights of Beaming Riga

When that dark season is already arrvied here – empty trees, dark streets, no colors of golden autumn  and no snow yet, Riga gets into celebrations. 18th of november – the national holiday – birthday of Latvia – proclomation day. What we do on this day in Riga? 

1) We go to watch National Armed Forces parade on the first part of the day at the river Daugava with the orchestra of Latvian armed forces. (11:00)

2) We go to concerts, church, make family dinner, put flowers at our freedom monument – it depends on family traditions

3) Evening part comes with the celebration event at the freedom monument with Latvian folk and choir songs and the most important – the President’s speech

4) We all are hedding back to the riverside (where we started our day with the parade) to watch fireworks over the River of destiny – Daugava.

If you are in Riga on 18th of November, you might be surprised seeing that partriotism and national consciousness which is in the air these days in November. You are welcome to join on this celebration!  

Another big and worth seeing event  - Beaming Riga. The city has been changed through colors, lights and music, technology and creativity every year around 18th on November.  This year Beaming Riga is form 17th to 21st on November – in different places  all over the city.

Let me find some pictures I made at the last years Beaming Riga and I’ll share them with you in my next post.

Riga Shopping: just cheap or original & exclusive as well?

Tourism-review.com today dropped into my mailbox news about tax free tourism attracting travelers to Latvia. Seems interesting: prices in Latvia sometimes seems too high for ourselves (ok, that’s a talk about salaries), in spring there appeared news that Latvia is the cheapest destination in Europe, but this summer talking to travellers and also travelling a bit, Lithuania, Poland or Romania appeared cheaper than Latvia. Shopping in Latvia is a quite huge topic to write about. And I feel it’s quite hard to write just about shopping here – these places I would like to tell about has more than just place-for-shopping value.

Riga Central Market is listed among bigger markets in Europe, but I have heard that this one really is the biggest (if we count also all that illegal market). Riga Central Market definitely is worth visiting it: Check my previous post From Zeppelins to Food – Riga Central Market.

Shoping centres you will find everywhere in Riga. In the city centre the most popular ones are Stockmann – between the central bus station and train terminal, Origo – at the train terminal, Galerija Centrs at the Old Town and the newest one of these – Galleria Riga. If you want shopping centres I personally would advice you to go to these last two – Glerija Centrs at the Old Town and Galleria Riga.

Galerija Centrs at the Old Town  is a place with stores like Bik Bok, Oasis, Guess, Hogl, Cropp Town, Cubus, Moskito, Reserved, G-star, Lindex, La Senza and others. This place also has nice photo or painting exhibitions quite often on the first floor, so you won’t miss some culture when going for shopping.

Latvian stores with high quality original products you should pay attention to in Galerija Centrs: LAUMA lingerie , MADARA ecocosmetics , STENDERS – cosmetics, parfumery.

Another shopping centre Galleria Riga  (on Dzirnavu Street 67) is more posh, luxurious and pompous with stores like Pierre Cardin, Gaudi, Elegance Paris, Bonita, Leny Tomy Factory, Roberto Verino, Triumph and others. They also have terrace on the roof (7th floor) where in summer you can go for a meal, but on winter season it becomes a skating rink – skate and enjoy the view over the roofs of Riga.

There are more than these opportunities, but I personally think that the real charm of shopping in Riga is in it’s small original shops – and believe me, Latvian shopkeepers and small business owners are extremely  creative people. More about these shopping options another time.

Related posts:

From Zeppelins to Food – Riga Central Market 

Riga Central Market on Travelers blog

3 in 1: Art gallery, Shop and Restaurant

Bohemian Street – Away From Touristic Riga

Are you ready to kick your mind out of the comfort zone?

That's true - if in summer Riga is the capital of hot non-stop parties, in autumn the face of the city is different. All these parties are stilll here, and maybe even more, but in facial expressions the city is different. It's getting cold and dark. Days are short. Rain. That's a perfect place for autumns depression... Riga is using this dark, uncomfortable season to make you even more uncomfortable: modern arts are taking over the streets and buildings of Riga. You will be surprised, excited, upset and more. One of these events every autumn in Riga is SOUND FOREST - Adventurous Music and Film Festival.

‘Sound Forest’ (Skaņu Mežs) is music festival which plays not only with your ears, but mostly with mind. The first Sound Forest was organized in 2003 to show the latest activities in the world of music and this is also a provocation for new angles in music. The artists in Sound Forest are surprising, boring, shocking, incomprehensible... These are brave artists from all over the world - the future of music – the music for which we are probably not ready yet.  Sound Forest 2011 will be in Riga on 16^th – 17^th of September.

The organizers of the festival say, they are doing it to “knock the mind out of the comfortable and dull "reality" to remind you of an alternative”. Isn't that what we need to keep as moving? Aren't we too comfortable with our own complaining and our own brainwashed opinions? Aren't we too much into "realities" which we have  artificially built in our minds?

Other events every autumn in Riga which make you "to step out of the box":  Riga is going to take you away to the magical world of arts and dreams this autumn

Riga is going to take you away to the magical world of arts and dreams this autumn!

Riga is sparkling form cultural events, arts and parties. All summer it has been like a one big festival here. The summer is over, but the life doesn’t stop here. Here start new life: students are back to universities, workers back from vacations – that’s a reason for culture, arts and nightlife to get into new level. From lazy summer to autumn full with colors and new energy. Here it comes:

„WHITE NIGHT 2011” (BALTĀ NAKTS) /10th of September/ – The contemporary arts forum White Night presents art, theatre, music, movement and other art projects and performances. Every year White Night is organized all over the city at the end of August/beginning of Spetember. This year White Night will be here on 10th of September. More than 25 art, music, theater, survival, performance events in former factory VEF, Spikeri, Miera street, Old Town, and the centre of Riga. Enjoy the beauty of arts all night long for free, heading form one place to another! („White Night” is part of the joint “European White Nights” project by Brussels, Madrid, Paris, Riga and Rome. This idea is also adopted by Amsterdam, Bucharest, Porto and Valletta (Malta), as well as Toronto, Tokyo, Montreal, Chicago and other cities)

 

Riga International Film Forum ARSENĀLS 10th – 18th of September 

Adventurous Music and Film Festival SKAŅU MEŽS (SOUND FOREST) /15^th – 17^th of September/ 

International Festival of Film Actors BALTIJAS PĒRLE (BALTIC PEARL) 15^th – 27th of September 

„BEAMING RIGA” (STARO RĪGA) – /17th – 20st of November/ this is the festival of lights which transforms the panorama of Riga in dark evenings of November. 18th of November is also a birthday of a country called Latvia, so coming to Riga on these dates are  „2 rabbits with 1 shot’. ‘Beaming Riga’ is a festival all around the city which transforms the city using light, video and other technologies  - buildings, squares, monuments, streets are live and talking thorugh technologies and creativity. 'Beaming Riga' really takes you away from reality to some mystical world, sirreal dreamland.

„White Night” and „Beaming Riga” is what I advice you not to miss this autumn. Pictures from „Beaming Riga 2010”. Riga is going to blow your mind with these events.

Why Riga? Reasons to visit Riga.

When I meet here tourists and ask them „Why Riga?” they look at me as I’m sick asking this question. But I’m just curious! I know that Riga is a nice place, but I always want to know reasons which make people to come here. This time I’ll give you reasons for visiting Riga – no emotions, just facts:

1)      That’s the biggest city and the centre of the Baltic States

2)      That’s the place where lives half of the population of the country

3)      Riga is also called ‘The Capital of the North’, ‘Nordic Paris’, ‘The City of Inspiration’, ‘Metropolis of Art Nouveau’ – do you think it’s without a reason?

4)      Riga is one of the oldest cities in Europe and celebrating it’s 810th anniversary this year

5)      This city is the main industrial, business, culture, sports and financial center in the Baltics

6)      Easy reachable – the biggest airport in Baltics is located in Riga, the central train station is located right into the centre of the city, Baltic Sea cruise ships arriving every day.

7)      UNESCO World Heritage:

7.1. Medieval Old Town: Photos I  , Photos II 

7.2. Art Nouveau architecture

8)      The highest TV tower in EU 

9)       42 m high freedom monument 

10)   We keep our traditions and Latvian traditions are really interesting! A lot of it you can enjoy right in the city centre! Check: Midsummer’s night, Christmas traditions.

11)  Worlds largest Blonde Festival every year you will find in Riga 

12)  From where comes the tradition of decorating the Christmas tree? No, it’s not a joke – 500 years ago the first Christmas tree was decorated in Riga.

13)   Concerts, clubs, almost non-stop sparkling night life: Where locals have fun I  , Where locals have fun II,  Live Music Open-Air concerts

14)  The seaside is within easy to reach

15)  Riga is where the magical Riga Balck Balsam was made more than 250 years ago and definitely the best place where to taste it

16) Small, cozy, artistic cafes, restaurants, tea-rooms with a soul are welcoming and charming: Bohemian Street - The Street of Peace, 3 in 1: art-gallery, shop and restaurant

17)  Riga is among Top 5 European cities for summer travel 

18)  It’s the Capital city of the country you can find among Worlds Best Ethical Destinations 2011 and Top 10 Destinations for Adventure Travel 

19)  Riga is getting ready for 2014 when it will carry the title „European Capital of Culture”

20)  There is something more – Riga is also outside the borders of Planet Earth – there is a planet named Riga!!! A small planet number 1796 betwean Mars and Jupiter got the name ‘Riga’ way back in 1971!

Happy birthday Riga on your 810th anniversary!

The Midsummer's Night - Summer Solstice all over Latvia!

It’s today – Summer Solstice. And, yes, it really is important here: one of the most important holidays for people in Latvia. By the way of the Sun it’s usually on 21st or 22nd of June, when the day is longer than night. By calendar the shortest night over the year is celebrated on 23rd – 24th of June. These ar official holidays. It’s totally pagan tradition and we love it. If you are in Riga you will see different festivites starting from the 21st of June on squares, streets, markets, parks etc.

Summer solstice is the time when all powers of the nature are stronger than any other day, so you have to go to sauna with herbs, take herbs from meadows to dry them for tea, to decorate your home and yourself with flowers. Forget gardens and take all the flowers you can find in meadows. The main things on Midsummers celebration are beer, cheese, fire, flowers, songs and dances. And mistycal blossom of fern...

1)      Everyone has to stay awake all night long near the fire until sunrise;

2)      It’s the night you have to drink beer and jump over the fire;

3)      You have to sing and dance a lot;

4)      There are a lot of activies in cities/towns, but this is the time people really get out of the city to the countryside;

5)      Girls decorate themselves by flower wreaths on their heads, boys named Jānis are decorated by leaves of oak trees.

And these ferns... Actually  - ferns don’t have any  flowers. But this night they have. Not everyone can find them. Usually people go in pairs to look for these blossoms, some people say you can find them also alone – and you get luck for all the rest of life if you find it. But we all know – only going in the wood in a couple can help you to find the blossom of fern. Kids also can be found in ferns...

Swimming naked, dancing, singing about your neighbours and other Līgo songs, putting special branches at home that witches can’t come, eating yellow cheese – the symbol of the sun, cooking meet, looking for wonders, washing your face in mornings dew to be beautiful.. Names like Līga (for girls) and Jānis (for boys) are celebrating their names day on Midsummer. It’s a wonderfull night.

If you are in Riga these days – check the Old Town, The Central Market, actually – flowers, midsummers songs, traditional dances you will find everywhere. But better – get out of the city – closer to ferns.

There is a movie - comedy made about Latvian Midsummers traditions with popular Latvian, French, German and other actors – about foreigners who have arrived in Latvia at midsummer – all these traditions which seems so strange for foreigners, but they enjoy them. It is in English and it’s called „Midsummers Madness” . If you are a little bit scared of these pagan traditions, watch the movie and you will see how much fun (and how magic) this night can be!

Wonders of Art Nouveau

It would be a sin not to write about Art Nouveau in Riga, because Riga boasts the largest collection of Art Nouveau buildings in Europe. Art Nouveau makes Riga to be a little wonderland – this architecture is unsurpassable.

The architectural and artistic answer to the literary Modernist movement that began in the late 19th century was the Art Nouveau movement in Europe. The Art Nouveau movement reached its peak in the early 20th century, which is when the majority of Riga’s Art Nouveau houses were built. Riga’s term for the movement, Jugendstil, comes from the German and Scandinavian movement named after the avant-garde periodical Jugend (“Youth”). Unlike the stiffer sensibilities of Victorian style, Art Nouveau stressed a complete creative freedom, mixing fantastic elements with a tendency to show all utilitarian construction elements as artistic value, with very characteristic elements such as dynamic, undulating, and flowing lines and geometrical ornaments.

Riga is one of the largest centres of Art Nouveau, with more than a third of the buildings of its Central District built in the style; other significant centres include Paris, Barcelona, Berlin, Vienna, Krakow, Moscow and St. Petersburg, among others. The main street for Riga’s Art Nouveau architecture is Elizabetes street, which intersects Brivibas Boulevard. In addition to Elizabetes Street, Alberta and Strelnieku Streets also feature impressive examples of the style. In total, there are over 800 Art Nouveau buildings in Riga.

Riga Art Noveau centre can help you. Here you will find the information about architects, maps and routes: http://www.jugendstils.riga.lv/eng/turisms Of course, you are welcome to visit Art Nouveau museum!

Christmas miracle, lights and trees...

It’s just some doorsteps away from Christmas and my city is totally crazy with Christmas trees, so I just have to write here about what happened 500 years ago... The first Christmas tree was a combination of many different facts, legends and customs, but the legend tells that the city of Christmas tree is Riga. The first documented use of a tree in this celebration was in several locations in Northern Europe. The most popular of them are Latvia and Estonia. 

All the associations and organizations (and there are a lot of them!) of Christmas trees have admitted that the first Christmas tree really comes from Riga, except our neighbours in Estonia. Well, it is possible that it happened at the same time in both countries as the two Black’s Fraternities were related. Anyway, we don’t know, but there is no closest place to the first Christmas tree as Baltics and officially the first tree in Christmas was decorated in Riga in 1510. 500 years have passed and this tradition has spread all around the world!