The ambitious Riga Summer Culture Programme will conclude at the end of August. Over a period of two months, the residents and guests of Riga, after a longer break, could once again enjoy a high-quality programme of culture events and also the joy and courage of togetherness at more than 150 events taking place in the parks and neighbourhoods of the capital.
Programme at the parks of joy: a concert by Žoržs Siksna, an open-air dance, educational lectures, courageous discussions
On Wednesday, 24 August, from 19:00, an evening of courage and laughter will take place at Viesturdārzs. Following the courage and joy motto of Riga this summer, six popular public figures will perform with amusing stories about various failures they have experienced at work. Laughing together about our mistakes, failures and unfortunate circumstances brings us closer, builds trust and allows to not take ourselves so seriously. Actor Jānis Kronis will be the host of the event, while stories will be told by chef and TV presenter Mārtiņš Sirmais, journalist and poet Toms Treibergs, art curator and organiser of the festival Survival Kit Solvita Krese, director Uģis Olte and others.
On Thursday, 25 August, from 16:00, an art history lecture will take place at Mazjumprava Manor where everyone will have the opportunity to get to know the River Daugava as a source of inspiration for creative people. Participants will have the opportunity to visit the watermill building and the surrounding area of Mazjumprava Manor. The youngest participants are invited to take part in various joyous workshops, whereas knowledge-seeking participants – to learn about the history of Riga and Latvia in large-format educational games. Similar events will take place at Mazjumprava Manor also on Friday.
On Thursday, from 20:00, the pop legend of Latvia Žoržs Siksna will conclude the Moments of Joy concert programme at Vērmanes Garden, performing such popular hits as Muļķe sirds, Genoveva and others.
On Friday, 26 August, from 19:00, everyone is welcome to attend the open-air dance at Viesturdārzs where music will be performed by the Jakob Noiman Festival Band led by Jēkabs Nīmanis. There will be refreshments for visitors and Henriks Eliass Zēgners, editor-in-chief of the online magazine Satori, will play music during intervals and at the end of the open-air dance.
During the weekend programme Mēs no rajona! at Nordeķi Park, visitors will have the chance to discover the link of Iļģuciems to industrial production and its history, and also to celebrate the diversity of Iļģuciems’ residents. Most residents in the neighbourhood meet in the streets, therefore, this time emphasis is on street culture which is full of energy and creativity. At Nordeķi Park, Anna Varnase will hold a master class of glass art, stories will be told about the industrial history of Iļģuciems and the history of the manufacture of glass, there will be a discussion about the work uniforms nowadays, a glass skateboard and skateboard master class with Kārlis Bogustovs, a graffiti master class with Dainis Rudenis, a hip hop dance master class and – at the end – a concert Sievietes repā featuring the rappers Viņa and Ūga.
On Saturday, 27 August, from 12:00, the summer series of events at Ķengarags Garden of Joy will conclude with an educational lecture, musical performances, individual excursions, joint entertainment and fun workshops. The motto – the courage to learn and the joy of living on! The youngest participants are invited to take part in various joyous workshops, whereas knowledge-seeking participants – to learn about the history of Riga and Latvia in large-format educational games.
Summer in the city
Taking care of a festive atmosphere and summer mood, the city will be still decorated with the much-appreciated green oases with parklets, benches and plants on Baznīcas Street, Tērbatas Street, Teātra Square, and also Miera Street where one can escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the fresh air.
Until the beginning of September, event venues across the capital will be decorated with festive flags and strings of electric lights. The identity and design of the summer of courage and joy of Riga was created by a group of artists which included Valters Kalsers, Evija Krištopane, Miķelis Mūrnieks and Kristiāna Marija Sproģe.
Also in September, those seeking some physical activities in the city will have the chance to attend the well-being programme which has become widely popular among the residents of Riga; the programme includes outdoor classes in qigong, Nordic walking and gymnastics, meetings with specialists and various seminars. Information on location and timing of the events is available on the website https://veseligsridzinieks.lv/.
The Riga Summer Culture Programme in parks and neighbourhoods is organised by the Riga City Council in cooperation with various organisations and associations of the respective field. More information on culture events is available at https://vasara.riga.lv/.
You can also find out more about culture events in Riga on Facebook at page “Rīgā notiek”.
Author: Raimonds Grants – Project Coordinator at External Communication Division of Riga City Council Communication Department, e-mail: Raimonds.Grants@riga.lv.
