Colours and traditional Latvian patterns will set the mood of this year’s Easter in Riga. Outdoors, the locals will see how elements of keys from Riga’s coat of arms change into Latvian patterns, symbolising ornaments, dyeing of eggs, awakening of nature, light, and the spring itself.
There will be dozens of special Easter events for those seeking to get in the festive mood, to celebrate the holiday in a traditional way, and to immerse themselves in the world of art and music.
Every day between 26 March and 7 April, the Art Nouveau Easter exhibition will be available for viewing at the Riga Art Nouveau Centre museum, open 10:00 to 18:00 every day except Mondays. The exhibition will feature Easter-themed decor and early 20th-century objects from the museum’s collection. Those with a valid museum ticket will be admitted to the exhibition.
At 18:00 on 27 March, the Grand Hall of VEF Culture Palace will feature the ‘Putnu māte putnus sauca’ (‘Mother Bird Called Birds’) performance by the singers of the ‘Knīpas un knauķi’ vocal studio, including Ilga Reizniece, Laima Jansone, and Andris Grunte. Tickets for the concert can be purchased in the outlets of ‘Biļešu paradīze’.
On 28, 29, and 30 March, from 11:30 to 13:30 and 15:00 to 17:00, the Riga Porcelain Museum will host an Easter creative workshop. The workshop will include a talk about Latvian porcelain products associated with Easter and the decorating of porcelain plates with Easter-themed overglaze paints. Families with children over the age of 6, young people, seniors, people with restricted mobility are particularly welcome to participate. Advance booking is required by calling +371 26406354 between 11:30 and 17:30 from Tuesday to Saturday. Participation is free of charge. The number of participants is limited.
Between 16:00 and 17:00 on 29 March, the Grand Hall of the Small Guild will host the Kontemplācija concert dedicated to Good Friday. Dita Krenberga (flute) and Dārta Tisenkopfa-Muselli (harp) will participate. Entry free of charge.
Meanwhile, at 17:00, the Ilona Bagele Lieldienās (‘Ilona Bagele on Easter’) concert will take place at the Ziemeļblāzma culture palace. Ilze Ozoliņa (piano), Svetlana Okuņa (violin), Inga Ozola (cello), and Ilona Bagele (mezzo-soprano) will participate. Free invitations will become available on 25 March, in ‘Biļešu paradīze’ outlets and at www.bilesuparadize.lv
Also, between 19:00 and 20:20, a Good Friday concert will be held at Riga St John’s Church. It will feature Riga orchestra and the Riga Saxophone Quartet. Entry free of charge
At 12:00 on Holy Saturday, 30 March, there will be a ‘Koklītes ceļojums’ (‘Little Kokle’s Journey’) theatre show in the Small Hall of the Imanta culture centre. During this one-man show, actor Edgars Lipors will introduce children to various Latvian folk music instruments in the form of a fairy tale. Entry free of charge.
At 15:00, the Church of Luther in Torņakalns will host the concert ‘Bahs. Jāņa pasija’ (‘Bach. St John Passion’), featuring the Ave Sol Riga chamber choir, Vidzeme Chamber Orchestra, artistic director and conductor Andris Veismanis, Aija Veismane (soprano), Sniedze Kaņepe (alto), Mārtiņš Zvīgulis (tenor), Matīss Pēteris Circenis (baritone), Artūrs Švarcbahs (bass), Gertruda Jerjomenko (positive organ). Free invitations will become available on 18 March, in ‘Biļešu paradīze’ outlets and at www.bilesuparadize.lv
One of the central holiday features intended everyone in Riga will be riding to their heart’s content the special ‘sun swings’ (‘Saules šūpotnes’) set up for Easter and available from 11:00 to 20:00 on 31 March and 1 April in Doms Square, Rātslaukums Square, Līvi Square, Bastejkalns, Ziemeļblāzma Park, and at the Imanta and Iļģuciems culture centres. 14 new ‘Doms Cathedral rooster’ outdoor art objects specifically created for this year’s holiday will adorn the Doms Square.
At 12:00 on 31 March, grown-ups and children will be welcome invited to celebrate Pārdaugava Easter in the courtyard of the Imanta culture centre. Its event programme includes singalongs and dancing with Ogas and Savieši folklore groups, dyeing and rolling of eggs, riding swings, as well as workshops. The event will be hosted by Iveta and Vidvuds Medenis. Entry free of charge.
Meanwhile, at 12:00, the Drawing Theater will offer the ‘7 pasakas par Ņukucīti’ (‘7 Fairy Tales about Ņukucītis’) show in the Grand Hall of the Iļģuciems culture centre. Entry will be free of charge and there will be workshops for children after the performance.
Between 12:00 and 16:00 the event ‘Liela nāca Lieldieniņa’ (‘Easter Arrived Big’) will take place at the Ziemeļblāzma culture palace. The Riga Folk Dance Club, ‘Katrīnas Dimantas trio’ post-folk band, Zeidi ethno band will participate, and Salvis Sprūžs will host the event. Entry free of charge.
Between 16:00 and 17:00, the Grand Hall of the Small Guild culture centre will be host the Halleluyah Easter concert with the Ludus early music ensemble (artistic director Māra Birziņa), Rūdis Cebulis (soprano), and Beatrise Vilde (mezzo-soprano). Entry free of charge.
On 1 April, at 12:00 to 14:30, the VEF Culture Palace will host the event ‘Riti, riti, Saulīte!’ (‘Keep Running Your Course, Dear Sun!’). Ilga Reizniece and Māris Muktupāvels will participate in it, and it will be hosted by Zoja Heimrāte. This will be a chance to join singalongs, round dancing, traditional rituals, and other fun activities, and to ride swings. Entry free of charge.
Meanwhile, between 12:00 and 17:00, there will be an Easter Picnic event at the Mežaparks Great Bandstand in Mežaparks. Daba San post-folk band and Teikas Muzikanti folk group will entertain the audience, and there will be educational activities for children. The event will be hosted by Juris Mūrmanis. Entry free of charge.
Between 14:00 and 16:00, an energetic Easter event with Riga orchestra will happen at the Ziemeļblāzma culture palace. It will feature Riga orchestra’s Kristians Kalva-led brass band and Dmitrijs Pudovs from the Riga Circus School; the concert will be hosted by Raitis Zapackis. Entry free of charge.
The Easter programme will end with the Windstream Spring Festival concert ‘Parīzes iedvesmotie’ (‘Inspired by Paris’), which will take in the Great Guild at 19:00 on 12 April. It will feature Adelaide Ferjēra and Riga orchestra. Tickets are available in the outlets of ‘Biļešu paradīze’.
For more about Easter events in the city, visit riga.lv and kultura.riga.lv, and follow the latest news on the ‘Rīga’ and ‘Rīgā notiek’ Facebook pages.
Information prepared by: Aira Ancāne, Project Coordinator at External Communication Division of the Riga City Council, e-mail: aira.ancane@riga.lv
