This month of Latvia’s national holidays will be notable for special urban decor and an extensive programme of celebrations in the centre and in the neighbourhoods of Riga. After a two-year break, the events will be held in person.
"Global events remind us once again how fragile our freedom is and how precious peace is. During the national holidays we will foster a sense of togetherness not only during festive events, but also during our everyday lives. With red-white-and-red flags, powerful lyrics of Latvian folk songs, and Knuts Skujenieks’ poetry in the decorative elements prepared for the city’s celebrations and events, we will strengthen the confidence of our people and its belief in itself,"Riga Mayor Mārtiņš Staķis said.
Internal freedom and the stories of the flags
The design and conceptual idea of the national holiday decor and content are based on the idea of the independence, or internal freedom from external circumstances, which Knuts Skujenieks wrote about in his poetry. More than 30 urban stands and 83 posters feature Knuts Skujenieks’ poetry and the programme of the celebrations, as well as the stories of Latvia’s flags, which survived various periods of the country’s history, preserved and honoured to this day.
10 light installations quoting powerful lyrics from Latvian folk songs, which already earned much praise from the local residents last year, are returning to the city. This year, you will find them in Teika, Imanta, Zolitūde, Ziepniekkalns, Vecmilgrāvis, Maskavas Forštate, and Plavnieki.
18 November celebrations at the Freedom Monument and in the neighbourhoods
More than 20 events are planned to take place in the capital in November, commemorating Lāčplēsis Day, and the Proclamation Day of the Republic of Latvia. 11 November will see the traditional lighting of memorial candles at the Riga Cemetery of the Brethren, followed by a torchlight procession to the Freedom Monument and the 11 November Embankment, and the launching of a fire raft into the Daugava River at the Kristaps the Great monument. The ‘Spēka dziesmas’ concert featuring performances by Riga folklore groups and the Līvi rock band will take place at Latviešu Strēlnieku Square.
On 18 November, guests will be welcome to join the solemn event dedicated to the 104th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Latvia in Brīvības Square, where the President of Latvia Egils Levits will deliver a speech, followed by a concert.
Celebrations of the nation’s birthday will also take place in the neighbourhoods. In Arkādijas Park, Ziemeļblāzma Culture Palace Park, Latgales Park, VEF Culture Palace, and Doma Square, there will be broadcasts of the events in Brīvības Square, the singing of the Latvian national anthem, as well as songs performed by Riga’s choirs.
The capital will also host a number of holiday concerts, workshops, and exhibitions in cultural centres and museums.
Fire installations to replace the light festival
The winter night-time Staro Rīga light festival will not take place for energy saving reasons, and the municipality has also abandoned the fireworks display; instead, the city centre and its neighbourhoods will be decorated with fire installations. On 18 November, it will visible at Bastejkalns, the Riga Canal and its bridges, Doma Square, VEF Culture Palace, Arkādijas Park and Latgales Park, and near the Ziemeļblāzma Culture Palace.
Vertical banners in the colours of the flag will be installed on more than 1000 light poles and at Riga City Hall. A few flag installations will add to the festive decor of the capital.
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 https://svetki.riga.lv/; also follow us on our Facebook page ‘Rīgā notiek’. Booklets with the programme of the celebrations are available in Riga municipal libraries, culture centres, customer service stations in Neighbourhood Centres, as well as the Riga Tourist Information Centre.
Information was prepared by: Rita Plūme, Riga City Council Communication Administration Strategic Communication Division project coordinator, e-mail: rita.plume@riga.lv
