On Monday, 18 November, the 106th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Latvia will be celebrated with various events in Riga.
As every year, the 106th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Latvia will begin with a solemn ceremony of laying flowers at 10:30 a.m. at the Freedom Monument. At 1:30 p.m., the National Armed Forces will be parading on the 11 November Embankment, as always.
Various concerts will also be organised to celebrate Latvia's birthday. VEF Culture Palace will host a concert "Latvian Sound Paintings" with the participation of the Orchestra "Rīga". The "Ave Sol" concert hall will host the concert "YOU Remain in My Mind…" featuring the Emīls Dārziņš Mixed Choir, the Cantata Woodwind Ensemble and the String Quartet. The Great Hall of the Culture Palace "Ziemeļblāzma" will host a festive concert by the group "Carnival Youth".
Riga residents are also invited to visit the Ķengarags School of Music and Art at 4 p.m., where the concert "Through the Silver Grove I Walked" with the participation of the kokle ensembles "Kokļu klubs", "Liepziedi", "Liepiņa" and "Liepa" and singer Mārtiņš Zvīgulis will take place. At 5 p.m., a concert "A Folk Song for Latvia" will take place at the Latvian War Museum with the participation of the folklore and ancient battle ensemble "Vilkači".
In the evening, at 7 p.m., a festive event dedicated to the anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Latvia will take place at Brīvības Square, which will start with a concert featuring Ginta Krievkalna, Grēta Grantiņa, Andris Ērglis and Raimonds Celms. Afterwards, at 8 p.m., the President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs will address the audience, the Latvian national anthem will be played, and at the end of the event everyone will enjoy a laser light performance (repeated several times per hour until 11 p.m.).
After the solemn event, at 9 p.m., the public is invited to the Culture and Folk Art Centre "Small Guild", where the festive concert "Latvijas ziedonī" will take place with the participation of the youth choir "Balsis", pianist Ieva Dzērve and an instrumental ensemble.
This year, the "Staro Rīga" light festival returns to the capital, taking place for four days from 15 to 18 November every evening from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.. This year it will be implemented on the route Freedom Square-Latviešu strēlnieku square-National Library of Latvia-Arkādijas Park. More information at www.staroriga.lv.
During the month of festivities, various exhibitions, creative workshops and events will take place in the neighbourhoods of Riga. Free entry to all events. The full event programme can be found at www.kultura.riga.lv.
Information was prepared by: Ineta Miglāne, Project Coordinator, External Communication Division of the Riga City Council, email: ineta.miglane@riga.lv.
