At the end of this week, in honour of the beautiful and Latvian tradition – the Miķeļdiena harvest festival – Riga residents and guests are invited to visit the traditional Miķeļdiena Fair on September 24 in Doma Square, to celebrate the Miķeļdiena Apple Festival in Ziemeļblāzmas Castle Park on September 25, and to participate in a creative workshop on September 29 organised in the Culture and Leisure Centre "Imanta".
During the Miķeļdiena Fair on Doma Square from 9.00 to 17.00, everyone will be able to buy autumn harvest bounty and handicrafts made by masters of applied arts: Pumpkins and vegetables grown in the Latvian countryside, baskets of apples and pears. The hosts will offer homemade jams, cheeses, homemade bread and gingerbread. There will be an opportunity to enjoy and buy honey, smoked meats and delicious fish, as Miķeļdiena falls during the richest harvest season, so the feast table has always been full of food on this day. Craftspeople will have provided knitted, ethnographic and modern products, ceramics, jewellery, woodwork and much more.
From 10.00 to 16.00, visitors will be able to enjoy an extensive cultural programme hosted by the hosts of the Miķeļdiena Fair – Zane Vaļicka and Arturs Dīcis. Music will be performed by the folklore group "Laiksne", brass band "Fanfara", orchestra "Rīga", brass quintet "Acumirklis", Riga Liv songs ensemble "Līvlist", whereas the children's dance ensemble "Teiksmiņa", children and youth dance ensemble "Dancītis", middle generation dance ensemble "Sidrabi", dance group "Marmale" and folk-dance ensemble "Liesma" will perform and entertain the audience with their dance performances. The programme will be closed by the musical group "Ballīšu kvartāls".
On Sunday, September 25, from 12.00 to 18.00, everyone is warmly invited to celebrate the Miķeļdiena Apple Festival in the park of Ziemeļblāzmas Castle. Celebrants will be able to enjoy performances by amateur groups, concerts by professional musicians, creative workshops, apple tastings, various attractions and fun activities in relation to apples. The event will be attended by dance groups "Bitīte", "Ziemeļblāzma" and "Auda"; children's vocal ensembles "Momo" and "Poppy"; band "Santehniķi"; Juris Kaukulis; Džonijs Salamanders and post-folklore group "Rikši". The actor Imants Strads from Dailes Theatre will provide a great atmosphere throughout the day.
On September 29, from 17.00, Riga Culture and Leisure Centre "Imanta" will offer a creative way to celebrate Miķeļdiena. Together with artist Ināra Gauja, children and adults are invited to create their own autumn basket of joy in a creative workshop. It will be a spatial collage combining the skills of ancient craftsmen, the reuse of materials and the creative thought of each participant. Participation in the workshop is by prior reservation, by email imanta@riga.lv or by phone +371 67181937.
The events are supported by Riga City Council.
Author: Mārtiņš Vilemsons – Project Coordinator at External Communication Division of Riga City Council Communication Department, e-mail: martins.vilemsons@riga.lv