Summer Festival You Deserve

Your friend in Riga last months has been pretty lazy on this blog... Let me apologize for this silence. But of course I have excuses, everyone has excuses for everything - for not traveling, not eating healthy and even for not having fun. 

Summer in Latvia is in it's peak. The streets of Riga today are almost melting and beaches are crowded. Every weekend comes with festivals outside Riga, music and beer seems to rule the world. From folklore festivals to entertainment for mainstream lovers - whatever your heart is longing for. Folklore festival Baltica 2012 has already left the streets of Riga, one of the coolest Latvian festivals Positivus in Salacgrīva (with 25 000 visitors), Fonofest close to Cēsis and others are behind... But some festivals are still in front of us: my summer festival vote goes for LabaDaba - international music festival on August 3-5 (2012). Friendly and positive festival with the name that could be translated as "Good Nature". That's what the organizers say on their website about the festival: 

"LABADABA would like recall that the world is colorful, hospitable and free.

LABADABA – for people who make the world turn around!"

This festival has something to do with Nabaklab (located at the Old Town) and something to do with the only non-commercial radio station in Latvia - University of Latvia radio "Naba". Yap, these are the same hands and brains working also on this festival. No pop-music there. On the menu of this festival is reggae, etno-folk, rock, electro... - pretty interesting music to enjoy on five stages - Bear's stage (that's the main stage), Dog's stage (barn), Hedgehog's stage (world, reggae, folk), Raven's aerie (electro, Dj) and Chillout stage ”Green owl’s lair”. I guess for many visitors the most waited performers are Chinawoman from Canada, but this definitely is not the only interesting band you will meet there - Spiritual Seasons from Ukraine, Dub Syndicte from Jamaica, Bombillaz from Estonia, Clubroot from Great Britain, Skafandr from Russia, Adolescents from USA, Dr. Ring Ding from Germay and the list goes on. From the huge list of Latvian performers there are some you definitely have to see - Auļi, Iļģi and Dzelzs Vilks with their folk, post-folk and folk rock programs are truly amazing! 

Besides the music many other activities are waiting for you there - geocaching,  bathhouse (sauna), different creative workshops, getting henna tattoos, a tent for curious people, kindergarten, cosmic swing, mail art exposition, cinema house, different sports, discussions, yoga, theatre and the list goes on...

After a long period of non-stop work I think I deserve it and if you are in Latvia on that weekend, you have to check out their website now to make the right decision: LABADABA.lv

Don't Joke with it in Latvia!

In every country there are some prejudices and hot topics to talk about and be careful talking about. Here are some things which, depending on the local person you meet, in Latvia can be offensive and unpleasant to hear or talk about. 

Latvia vs. Lithuania

There is no problem between Latvians and Lithuanians, we are friendly neighbors with similar languages, history, architecture, traditions and problems, even the names of these countries sound similar in different languages like Lettland & Litauen, Lettonia & Lituania, but... The same as Germany & Austria with the same language or Slovakia & Slovenia with similar names, Latvia and Lithuania are two separate countries. If you are in Riga and tell that you are glad to be in the capital of Lithuania, the face in front of you might change from friendly smiling to truly disappointed. Although it is not a big deal, but it is happening pretty often that foreign people being in Latvia keeps calling it Lithuania. The capital of Latvia is Riga and the capital of Lithuania is Vilnius. As a small country fighting for its identity and recognition, we just want people, who are visiting us, to know where they are. 

Latvians vs. Russians

You probably know something about the history of Latvia, you see in the map that Russia is our big neighbor and have heard something about Russians in Latvia. What’s the problem? It’s the BIGGEST problem for a lot of people in Latvia now. Just 20 years have passed since we have got the independence from Russia and there is a huge percent of Russian speaking inhabitants in Latvia, referendum about accepting Russian as the second official language in Latvia, Soviet time memories that are still alive. You don’t know you are meeting Latvian or Russian and both sides are quite nationally minded. If you discuss this topic with Latvian you will get a version of stupid, cruel, rude, uneducated Russians. If you talk with Russian you might get a story about stupid, racist, heartless Latvians and that Latvia actually is Russian country not Latvian. We are just all the time incited against each other by politics and mass media. Don’t say that Latvians and Russians have no difference between them. In fact, there is no problem for Latvians and Russians to be good friends, but if you meet some especially nationalistic person with strict opinion about what is happening and how it should be, this conversation can become never-ending and pretty uncomfortable.

Sex-tourism

A lot of inhabitants of Riga would throw eggs or tomatoes on me just because I mentioned it here. Stay calm: I’m not promoting Riga as sex-tourism destination! Riga has sparkling nightlife, more girls than boys and open-minded girls what leads to what is called "sex-tourism" here. You might also face people considering that every male tourist in Riga is sex-tourist. The word ‘sex-tourism’ in Riga is not used meaning the same as in Amsterdam or Thailand – it’s not about prostitution. This 10 minutes Youtube video gives some explanations: 

Freedom Monument

If you are in Riga there is no way you could miss seeing Freedom Monument – it’s 42 m high monument separating the Old Town from the new city centre with the majestic opera house on one side and the Bastion hill on the other side. We are all extremely sensitive about any joke you make about it. Mass media also have told us that many times foreign people find this almost holy place for relieving natural needs behind the monument. You get a penalty for this. Just don’t do it even if the police doesn’t see you (what is pretty impossible there in any time of a day).  This monument is embodiment of Latvian strength, history and identity. Read about it here:  Monument, Freedom & Flowers

At the end I should say that Latvians have sense of humor and they love joking about themselves (of course - we can joke about ourselves but are sensitive when others are joking about us - as anyone else). The picture below shows the world through eyes of a Latvian. :) 

If you have other observations, questions or something to add to this post - feel free to comment here!

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!

Where locals have fun II (Shot Cafe & Leningrad)

Travelling around is a great thing to do, but when I came back home, Riga doesn’t allow me to get rested. If you came to Riga it’s sparkling life from morning to morning will take you in. My favorite question for toursits I meet here is, of course,  - why Riga? The nightlife is one of these reasons.Yes, also bars and clubs you can find here opened till 6 – 7 am. Check my previous post: Where locals have fun 

Two more places with great atmosphere I would like to add the the list of places to enjoy & have fun:

„Shot cafe” in the Old Town of Riga right next to the War Museum (Torņa street 4) – small, cosy bar with around 100 different shots and other drinks with reasonable prices. The place where during the day time you can get your lunch and during the night you can enjoy parties till morning, and if you get there at the happy hour you get 3 shots paying just for 2. That’s the place which has became the favorite place for a lot of Rigans and guests of Riga.

„Leningrad” – also in The Old Town (Kalēju street 54) – artsy place to meet with friends or young Latvian artists. DJ events, literary meetings and art events provide the necessary spice to keep you coming back time and again. You can come in and feel like home there, take a book from the book shelf, play some games or even piano. 

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:

You know you are Latvian or have been in Latvia too long if....

1. you try to prove everyone that Latvia is in Northern Europe, not Eastern
2. tall blonde beauties in short skirts are nothing special for you anymore
3. you specify ‘no gas’ when asking for mineral water.
4. every year in the end of June you go to countryside with friends to have some beer and eat some cheese
5. you get used to explain abroad where Latvia is
6. you get shocked if somebody abroad does know where Latvia is.
7. you are proud that Latvian Lat is the most expensive currency
8. the phrase “go to seaside” means for you 15-20 minutes by car
9. ice hockey has become the most important thing in your life
10. half of the population working as “managers” seems reasonable to you
11. half of your friends disappear to study or work in Ireland or UK and you think that’s normal
12. you’ve learned the hard way that a triangle means women’s toilet and a triangle upside down means men’s
13. anything goes wrong you blame the Russians
14. anything goes wrong you blame the Latvians
15. you think hot chocolate means melted chocolate and you love it
16. you see someone smiling in public, you think: well, a bloody foreigner
17. a meal for you must contain either potato or meat, but usually both
18. you are afraid crossing a street, especially at zebra crossings or traffic lights
19. you feel guilty entering a flat wearing your shoes
20. everything 50m above sea-level seems like a mountain
21. you start counting the ground floor as first floor
22. you love the Baltic Sea and go swimming there at nearly any temperature
23. you love going to the Sauna, but always leave your trunks/bikini on
24. you consider Latvia the best and worst place on earth – at the same time
25. you put an “s” or “a” at the end of foreign names, so you can conjugate them
26. In your eyes Coca Cola is the unhealthiest drink in the world and that drinking lots of beer, sugary juice and bread drink prolongs your life
27. you are trying to buy alcohol before 10 o’clock in the evening, but just in case you store some alcohol at home
28. hugging is reserved for sexual foreplay
29. you accept that 80 degrees C in a sauna is chilly, but 20 degrees C outside is freaking hot.
30. also, you accept -30 outside as a reasonable temperature, but anything under 22 indoors is unreasonable…
31. you sincerely believe that Laima is the best chocolate in the world.
32. you think it’s normal to not pay income taxes and know what is to get salary in envelope.
33. you’re not sure what to do when the traffic police only asks you to pay the official fine.
34. you know more than 50 Janis.
35. you know more than 20 Ligas, Ilzes, (each!)
36. you think metal doors are a necessity.
37. you can’t even imagine what is gallon, farenheits, inches or pound.
38. you know the difference between trolleybus and bus
39. you never smile in public when you’re alone
40. you laugh at Russian jokes.
41. you actually get these jokes.
42. you have crossed river on ice, because it was a shortcut
43. you don’t wonder when see a black big car with number plate “GARIK” or “SUPER”
44. you don’t know anyone who speaks less than 2 languages, and just few who speaks more than 3

A bit of funny truth about Latvians: as we know  - there is no smoke without a fire. Pictures  - really from Latvia.