International Children's Day is celebrated every year on June 1 to highlight the importance of children's safety and well-being in society. Riga City Council has also organised various concerts and events to celebrate the children, so that the holidays with the family can be especially fun and colourful.
To mark the International Children's Day, a Children's Day Festival will take place on June 1 from 11.00 to 17.00 in Doma Square. There will be musical performances by youth groups, dance performances, vocal ensembles and folklore groups, as well as various games, workshops and attractions to delight children of all ages. At the end of the festival, the band "Citi zēni" will take the stage.
The cultural space "Stropi” (Hives) will also start the season with various events. From 16.00 to 18.00, a children's event "Sajūti pārsteigumu” (Feel the Surprise) will take place in the garden of the Bolderāja branch library in the cultural space "Strops". There will be performances by students of the Riga Circus School – a clown show, a juggling workshop and bubble attractions. Later, the group "Trio Tresensus" will perform contemporary music by Latvian composers.
From 16.00 to 17.00, the Liepāja Puppet Theatre will perform "Sirēnas dziesma” (Siren’s Song) for young audiences in the cultural space "Strops" in Ēbelmuižas Park in Ziepniekkalns. According to the authors of the idea, there are many stories about the Sirens' Song and what it promises. The Sirens' Rock stands in the sea and there are only a few heroes who have passed by it in their lifetime – Jason and the Argonauts on their quest for the golden ramskin, and Odysseus on his wanderings. We invite everyone not to miss this amazing opportunity to join us on an unforgettable, heartbreaking cruise "Siren's Song" – the most exciting entertainment, the most incredible stories, the shiniest sparkles! And the climax of the evening – Siren's Song.
Meanwhile, from 18.00 to 19.00, in the cultural space "Strops" in the garden of Čiekurkalna Library, an educational and interactive lesson for children on fire safety with the mascot of the State Fire and Rescue Service, Lynx, will take place before the summer holidays, and from 19.00 to 20.00 – a musical performance of large puppets for children "Ķepaiņiem pa pēdām” (Following the Paw Prints).
On June 2, from 11.00 to 16.00, the 116th Children's Festival "Sīki, mazi kukainīši” (Tiny, Little Insects) will take place in the park of the Culture Palace "Ziemeļblāzma". The programme includes creative workshops, educational activities, competitions, attractions and concerts. The event will be hosted by Ladybug and Bee.
At 12.00, the cultural centre "Mazā Ģilde" will host a concert by the musical group "BikiGRUPA" and a creative workshop. Participating in the concert as "BikiGRUPA" will be Matīss Circenis, Agnese Malnača, Mārtiņš, Marta Smilga, Patriks Stepe and poet Inese Zandere. The workshop will be led by artist Ūnu Laukmane. Before and after the BikiGRUPA’s concert, children will have the opportunity to illustrate their own Biki story or create their own Biki book in a creative workshop with artist Ūnu Laukmane.
For more information about all of the events of the Family Month and their schedules, visit the websites culture.riga.lv and riga.lv, and follow Riga City Council’s social media accounts ‘Rīga’ and ‘Rīgā notiek’ .
Information was prepared by: Aira Ancāne, project coordinator, Riga Local Government Communication Administration External Communications Department, e-mail: aira.ancane@riga.lv