1 YEAR HAS PASSED!!! What the Next Year Will Bring?

Let me be honest – I didn’t believe that I’m able to do something for so long time, but - it’s birthday of this blog today! One whole year has passed since the first post!!!  I know it’s not so long time, but still – here we are. 

What makes me happy in doing this: there are people reading it, enjoying it and finding it useful. THANK YOU!

Here is a little help for planning your trip to Latvia  in 2012 – dates of some  events  you can enjoy if you are in Latvia: 

10.02 – 12.02 14th International Festival of Ice Sculptures in Jelgava

10.02 – 12.02 „Balttour” in Riga - the biggest travel tradeshow in the Baltics annually opening the new tourist season

23.04 – 30.04 International Baltic Ballet festival in Riga - from classical to avant-garde

19.05 – International Museum Night – everywhere in Latvia (and behind)

26.05 – „Go Blonde” festival in Riga Read about it here

02.06 – „Sigulda Jazz 2012” – smooth jazz, funk and big band outdoors in Sigulda

15.06 – 17.06 – Riga Opera Festival

16.06 – 22.06 waiting for the magical Midsummer’s night streets of Riga will be filled with before-solstice events with traditional dances, folklore and markets

23.06 – 24.06 – Midsummer’s night all around Latvia. (Have you seen the movie „Midsummer’s Madness”? This is where you can get some impression of what the Midsummer’s night in Latvia is) Read about Midsummer’s night here

06.07 – Music festival „Summer Sound Liepāja” – 4 stages right at the beach – rock, hip hop, ambient, electronic and pop music in Liepāja

06.07 – 10.07 International Folklore festival „Baltica” ir Riga, Ikšķile, Madona, Ērgļi

09.07 – 15.07 6th International sand sculpture festival „Summer Signs” in Jelgava

11.07 – 14.07 Ancient Music festival in churches at the Riga Old Town and the most impressive baroque palace in Latvia – Rundāle: back to medieval, renaissance and baroque music

13.07 - 14.07 “Positivus” festival – definitely the biggest rock and pop music festival in Latvia, one of the top 10 summer festivals in Europe

14.08 – 15.08 – Catholic festival in Aglona which brings together pilgrims of all confessions from all around the world. Read about it here

17.08 – 19.08 – Riga festival: Riga city birthday party everywhere around the city

08.09. – Contemporary Arts forum "White Night"   Read about it here

15.11 – 18.11 – “Beaming Riga” – festival of lights Pictures from Beaming Riga 2010, Pictures from Beaming Riga2011

01.12 – 15.01.2013 – Festival of Christmas trees Read about it here 

02.12 – 10.01.2013 – Christmas markets and events

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

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 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.

Where The Roads in Latvia Goes Every Year on 14th-15th of August?

There is one place you will meet thousands of believers every year on 14th – 15th on August. It’s Catholic Celebration of Assumption Day, but in that one special place you will find not only Catholics, not only Christians, but a lot of different people who are coming from different places, a lot of piligrims who have came to this place on their feet hundreds (and more) of kilometres.

Welcome to Aglona! 221 km from Riga, southeastern part of Latvia. Aglona is a special place for it’s white baroque style Basilica – Aglona’s Basilica is the most important shrine in northeastern Europe. The church has a collection of different sacred art samples, crypt in the basement and next to it you will find a monastery. It’s located near the lake, it has spring with holy water – you will see a lot of people staying in a loooong line to get the water. Another long line will be at the famous icon “Our Miraculous Lady of Aglona” - the icon is considered to have healing powers and it’s the main reason why around 3 centuries back piligrims, believers and other people searching for holy support and help got to Aglona.

A little personal story from childhood: when I was 8 years old I broke my leg very badly (we had a competition, who will get the first one down the tree and I managed to be the first) and after a month in a hospital I had one more month at home with no walking, doctors were sure they will have to brake the bone once again because fractures like that never grow back togeather correctly. I wasn’t a child who was going to do what doctor says in the period of recovery and it was one more reason for everyone to think I’ll have to get back to hospital soon. My parents took me to Aglona Basilica. My bone was just perfect and haven’t had any problems with it ever after. If it would happen to me now – I would say that it’s the power of believing in something or coincidence, but I was a child who can not be stopped and who is not going to follow any instructions :)

You can visit this place when it’s not the big celebration and enjoy it in peace, but the main celebration is on 15th of August and there are thousands of people. Special events starts before the 15th: 11th is a day for ill people, 12th - for families, 14th is a special day with heart touching Cross’ Walk at night where thousands of people are moving into the darkness around all theritory of the Basilica, praying and singign with lighted candles in their hands. During these days there are also a lot of concerts of Christian bands, presentations of piligrims’ groups, watching movies and dancing, special youth activities etc.

Check these little videos to catch the impression of what kind of feeling you can get there: 1) The Theritory of Aglona Basilica 2) The Cross’ Walk, 14th of August 

If you go to that part of Latvia, close to Aglona you can visit this nice town: Preiļi – Find Your Own Little Wonderland

One Strong Reason to Visit Riga in August – 810.

You already know that there are thousands of  reasons to visit Riga. Here is one more reason – very big and strong reason to be in Riga this year on August – Riga is celebrating it’s birthday 810! When travelling I guess you want to get from every place as much as possible – Riga 810 festival will give you all: 19th – 21st of August this city will take you into vibrant life of culture, arts, sports and traditions! Diffrent places in the Capital of  Latvia, events for every taste! Ok, this is what you can get:

19.08. on Cinema Festival at the Kalnciema Quarter you will be introduced to the 45 years of Latvian animation – from Latvia’s Walt Disney to contemporary stars. In The Old Town at the Dome Square you will have chance to hear beautifull music – Old Towns towers will resound to the sounds of music. Interested in active recreation? Riga Festival Night Race is for you – and it’s inseparable parf of the festival: ayone is invited to take part in the event! But in the sky above the Daugava waterway between the Salu and Dienvidu bridges you will see air acrobatic competition, in which the best professional pilots will take part!

20.08. is the central day of the festival. Canal Regatta – Freeport of Riga Cup, Salsa Marathon will bring here a lot of positive energy and everyone will be able to dance to Latino rhythms, whether or not they've ever learnt salsa steps. Vērmanes Garden will be home for the festival of traditional culture – music, dances, crafts and workshops. But by the Latvian National Opera you will be able to watch 24 hour basketball tournament „Match of The Riverbanks”. Even Riga Central Market these days is inviting you to performances, but on the Street of Theatre in The Old Town you will have a chance to be a witness of the Proclamation of the City: right up till the last moment, neither those developing the "Proclamation of the city" performance, nor those acting in it will know what it will look like – there are rumors that they will play music on the rocks and saws… Aldaru Street invites you to food festival – you will enter the authentic atmosphere of 1930's Rīga. But Mežaparks which holds the best Latvian song and dance festivals traditions on evening will charm your ears and eyes with 7000 choir singers and 400 dancers and brass band memebers at the main concert „Master. Song. Legend.”

21.08. at Vērmanes Master Garden will be Folk Festival and Annual Market of Decorative Arts Goods, Rowing Festival in Riga city Canal, creative workshops for children on Jāņa Street, Museum of the History of Rīga and of Navigation invites to Riga’s Stories from The Centuries – see, learn, dance, inquire and find out...

It’s a great time to be in Riga! And a lot of offers to choose what fits the best for you!  Don’t miss this chance – 810 is just once!

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!

Worlds Largest Blonde Festival! No.1 Blonde Parade in Europe!

Talking about the economical crisis was quite depressing and it still is quite depressing. It’s not a secret that crisis hit Latvia quite hard, so in 2009 over 500 blonde women in Riga made a great step to bring some positive moments in our lives and made blond parade – hundreds of blond girls marching through Riga – music, style, smiles, fun! They bring into the city a lot of positive energy! They have made the tradition and already 3^rd year “Go Blonde” will take place in Riga! You are welcome to participate, you are welcome to watch: every year there are more and more blonde women participating, this year they are planning to be around 2000 blonde women from different countries!

The World's largest blonde festival!  ON MAY, 28^th! NEXT WEEKEND!

Check their web-site and the programme of the festival:

Latvian Christmas Traditions

For Latvians Christmas is the time when all family comes together. And December 24th is peacefull Christmas Eve when families go to the church and afterwards have Cristmas meal together. Many of the Christian traditions in Latvia are intertwined with earlier pagan traditions. Christmas Eve is a celebration of the birth of Jesus, but in many families it is also a celebration of the Winter Solstice, the time  when days become longer and the nights become shorter again. We just celebrate Christmas in both ways – pagan and christian – as they both are about the light coming into life. Also on morning of the 25th of December families goes to the church. Well, usually people choose – 24th or 25th (or 26th). 

What happens with Christmas gifts? In many resources on the internet I found this: „Latvians believe that Father Christmas brings presents on each of the 12 days of Christmas starting on Christmas Eve.” I don’t know where are these strange Latvians who believe in it. I don’t know any family which does it. And actually I red it for the first time today on the internet... We receive gifts just once – 24th on evening or 25th on morning. Usually in some special moment (for example, when the family goes to the church) when nobody sees it – gifts are left under the Christmas tree. But it’s not so easy to get them: in order to get a present you have to recite a short poem while standing next to the Christmas tree! So kids before Christmas are really learning by heart a lot of poems. Well, you can also sing, play some music instrument or even dance to get your gift.

Christmas meal: by christian traditions on Christmas Eve it’s not allowed to eat meat, but Latvians are real meat lovers. So there is Christmas Eve when there have to be 9 different dishes (by pagan tradition) which do not include meat (by christian tradition). These traditions perfectly live together. You definitely have to eat boiled grey peas – if you do it, you wont have to cry the next year.

Traditional food for Christmas is grey peas with bacon, gingerbread, bacon rolls, and pork – all head of a pork on the table. Of course, we drink hot wine – German „gluhwine” is all around the world.

Other pagan traditions you will probably meet in Latvia on Christmas time involves a wooden block that is rolled around the house to drive away any evil spirits from the home. You will see it even in the Riga Old Town and for example Etnographical Open-Air museum. By the way, I think that the Etnographical Open-Air museum in Riga is the best place to get to know Latvian traditions. In the countryside people often go masquerading from one home to the next while singing and playing different games – they also do it in open-air museum. In this masquerade will also definitely come The Death. Don’t be afraid – if you are a friend of Death and especially if you dance with Death during Winter Solstice – you are not going to die the next year. 

Happy Christmas – Priecīgus Ziemassvētkus! 

Pictures:  1) Celebration at Open-Air museum with traditional head of a pork 2-3) Taditional food: bacon rolls and grey peas with bacon 4) Winter Solstice masquerade

Welcome To The Birthplace of Christmas Tree

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!