Lāčplēsis Day will be celebrated with the traditional torchlight procession, candle lighting, several events and concerts not only in the centre of Riga, but also in its neighbourhoods. The culmination of the celebrations will take place on Bāriņu Street with a large-scale event "On the Guard of Riga. The name of Victory Park turns 100".
Candle lighting and torchlight procession
On November 11, the annual Lāčplēsis Day event “Brīvības cīnītāju gars cauri visiem laikiem” at 4:00 P.M. will include the traditional lighting of memorial candles at the Riga Brethren Cemetery, followed by a torchlight procession to the Freedom Monument where we will honour our Freedom Fighters. The torchlight procession will stop at 11. novembra krastmala, where a fire raft will be launched into the Daugava River.
People are invited to light candles at the walls of Riga Castle in honour of Latvia's defenders. Also this year the association "Tavi Draugi" will melt the leftover candles into trench candles for the defenders of Ukraine. On the evening of Lāčplēsis Day, people in Riga will be able to donate candle material, i.e. leftover paraffin candles or new candles, at the "Tavi draugi" donation point at 11. novembra krastmala.
On the other side of the Daugava River – at the intersection of Slokas Street and Kurzemes Prospect in Sudrabkalniņš, at 12:00 P.M., a memorial ceremony for those fallen in the battles for the freedom of Latvia will take place, with the participation of the Riga 6th Secondary School Student Brass Band, the men's group "Vilki" and members of the National Guard Student Infantry Battalion.
Concert "On the Guard of Riga. The name of Victory Park turns 100"
At 5:00 P.M. an event dedicated to Lāčplēsis Day "On the Guard of Riga. The name of Victory Park turns 100" will be held on Bāriņu Street by the Victory Park. The visitors of the event will be able to warm themselves by the bonfires, also hot drinks and a soup kitchen will be available. "Radio Skonto" DJs will provide a patriotic mood and a lively spirit.
The concert will feature the contemporary folk music group "Raxtu Raxti", hip hop artist Fiņķis and his backing band, as well as the folk metal band "Skyforger" with a special concert programme prepared specifically for this day. During the band's performance, various visual effects will be displayed in a special stage set-up in the atmosphere of the World War I battles. The event will be moderated by the actor Andris Bulis.
Concerts and events in the neighbourhoods of Riga
The concert "Lai ir balta šī dzīvīte" ("Let There be Light in This Life") will take place at VEF Culture Palace at 4:00 P.M. featuring the following creative groups of Riga Municipality: TDA "Rotaļa", VPDK "Rotaļa XO", VPDK "Mana Rotaļa" and TDA "Zelta sietiņš". At 5:00 P.M. at the Culture Centre "Iļģuciems" everyone is invited to attend the concert "Stipra mana dziesma bija, aizbaidīja naidenieku" ("Such Strength in My Song, It Chased Away My Foes") by the music group "Teikas muzikanti". At 6:00 P.M. the Riga Philharmonic Orchestra, Riga Chamber Choir "Ave Sol", Latvian Academy of Culture Mixed Choir "Sōla", soloist Armands Siliņš and conductor Valdis Butāns invite you to the concert "Rudens dziesma Latvijai" ("Autumn Song for Latvia") at the Riga Cathedral (Rīgas Doms). Free invitations to the concert are available at the Riga Cathedral and "Biļešu paradīze" box offices, as well as on the website.
At 7:00 P.M., the residents of the capital and all those interested are invited to attend the concert "Uz priekšu, latvieši" ("Forward, Latvians") by the men's folklore group "Vilki" of the Riga Culture and Folk Art Center "Mazā Ģilde", and at 7:00 P.M., the event "With Undying Flame in Your Heart" in the park square of the Culture Palace "Ziemeļblāzma" will take place with singing by bonfires and warm tea with the ethno group "Ogas" and choirs.
Event programme
You can find out more about the events organised by the Riga City Council on the occasion of the anniversary of the Proclamation of Latvia and Lāčplēsis Day at svetki.riga.lv; and also follow the social media site “Rīga” and “Rīgā notiek”.
Information prepared by: Sindija Grāvere, Project Coordinator External Communication Division of Riga City Council, e-mail: sindija.gravere@riga.lv