Riga’s Summer of Culture “Riga’s Summer of Courage and Joy” has won the bronze award or 3rd place in the category for public sector institutions in the final of the international best events awards competition “BEA World Best Events Awards” It is the most prestigious competition of its kind in the world, bringing together event industry professionals from all over the world every year.
Riga competed with Expo and FIFA organizers
“The Riga Summer Culture Programme’s award in the BEA competition final is a great honour for the Riga Municipality. Our competitors were very strong players – the other awards went to the Expo pavilions for Italy and Germany, while the other competitors included the organisers of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the European Commission and representatives of other countries, proving that Riga’s bid was equally prestigious and competitive on the international stage,” says Riga Mayor Mārtiņš Staķis. “Riga’s Summer Cultural Programme this year was created with courage and joy, and part of this courage is also creating a new tradition in the way how Riga celebrates its festivities. We are pleased that it has also been recognised internationally.”
Riga’s Summer of Courage and Joy
More than 150 events took place for a period of over two months in the centre of the capital and in 10 neighbourhoods. From July to the end of August, in four city parks – Vērmanes Garden, Viesturdārzs, Nordeķi Park and Mazjumprava Manor Garden – every city resident and visitor could enjoy concerts, lectures, creative workshops, activities for families with children, and also open-air dance parties and story evenings.
This year, the culture programme was also organised in six neighbourhood festivals. From 9 July to 20 August, colourful neighbourhood festivities took place in Vecmīlgrāvis, Bolderāja, Āgenskalns, Maskavas Forštate, Imanta, and also Purvciems and Pļavnieki.
This year, Riga’s 821st birthday, the culmination of the summer, was celebrated with a grand picnic in the Old Town. The celebration programme not only included concerts, but also a delicious cake and laughter contest, and also other fun events that invited guests to dare and enjoy the joy of being together.
More than 123,000 people attended the events of the Riga summer culture programme.
About BEA World Best Events Awards
“BEA World” best events competition is called the Oscars of the event industry, which after a two-year break from 24-25 November took place in person in Rome. Several projects from Latvia have been nominated and won awards in the international competition in recent years.
This year, the campaign “Light Coast” (“Gaismas krasts”) by the agency “Luka” and also the project “Nature Gallery” and the design solutions company “Don`t Panic” by the creative association “Skudras metropole” from Latvia are also won two awards.
Information was prepared by: Rita Plūme, Project Coordinator at Strategic Communication Division of Riga City Council Communication Department, e-mail: rita.plume@riga.lv