On 19 August, the capital will celebrate Riga's 822nd anniversary with a full day of events, concerts, circus and theatre performances for children, and a competition for the most delicious cake. The evening before, on 18 August, the celebrations will be kicked off by a concert programme and a special audiovisual performance in Lucavsala.
On 19 August, a grand celebration will take place in the Old Town. Residents and visitors of the city are invited to take part in a rich programme of cultural and artistic performances, concerts and activities for all ages.
Courage talks in the Town Hall Square
The opening ceremony will take place in Town Hall Square, which will be transformed into the Square of Courage, where the journalist Kristīne Garklāva will host ‘courage talks’, and greetings will be given from Riga's multinational communities and the twin city Tartu, the European Capital of Culture 2024. At the end of the day, the crowd will come together in singing in the Latvian and Ukrainian languages with the Maska Choir.
Celebrations at Dome Square
Several concerts will be held in Dome Square, featuring Latvian artists as well as international guests. The first band to open the concert will be the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest winners Kalush Orchestra from Ukraine. Afterwards, popular Latvian bands such as The Sound Poets and Carnival Youth will perform on the festival stage, and the competition for the most delicious cake will take place.
The cultural programme of the celebration will be brought to a splendid close by the concert performance ‘Songs of Courage and Joy’, featuring nationally renowned and popular musicians: Miķelis Putniņš, the Maska Choir, Gustavo, Aija Andrejeva, Ieva Akuratere, Kristīne Pāže, Ilona Bagele, Daumants Kalniņš and Jānis Apeinis.
Celebration programme for the children in the Dome Cathedral Garden and at the foot of the Cathedral
Various activities for children will take place in the Old Town, in the Cathedral Garden – creative workshops, theatre performances for all ages, concerts.
The programme will open with the theatre performance ‘Lemonade’ for children from the age of three, while the youngest visitors will be able to listen to the concert ‘The baby hears the music’. Children aged 4 and up are invited to attend the performance ‘Turd and Spring’, followed by the performance ‘Full Load’ for youngster audience.
Throughout the day, from 14:00 to 20:00, young visitors will be able to take part in children's workshops, Processions of Joy and bubble activities at the foot of the Cathedral.
Jazz and Classical music stage at Smilšu street
This year, Smilšu street will be transformed into an exciting jazz and classical music stage, bringing together both local talents and world-renowned musicians. The event will feature a variety of concerts to suit all tastes.
The jazz and classical music stage will host the bands "P.S.PMS", "M.A.S.A" with musicians Rūdolfs Macats, Kārlis Auziņš, Ivars Arutjunjans and Elīna Silova. The programme also includes a concert by the Polish band Zubek & Pentz Piazzolla Duo, performances by Viral Mind, and the Ukrainian artists Olga Lukachova and the band Funk Reunion.
The concert programme will be embellished by a concert by the band Dāmas Un Kino, featuring Inga Šļubovska, Dita Krenberga, Inga Ozola, Ilze Ozoliņa. The concert programme will be accompanied by the Indian classical music group Chaturveni.
Joy and Joke stage at Līvu Square
Līvu Square will be a playground of joy and jokes – it will feature joke sports games involving visitors, a worst joke competition, mini-golf, circus performances and a concert by the band Mazais princis.
Kristīne Brīniņa's performance ‘Have We Met Before?’ will take place at different times and places in Riga’s urban environment and will be suitable for all audiences at all times and places. There will also be several circus performances with artists from Spain, Argentina, Belgium and the Netherlands.
The cultural programme, concerts and Riga Anniversary events are free of charge. We welcome you!
All events organised by the Riga City Council for the Riga Summer and Riga Anniversary Culture Programme can be found on the website https://vasara.riga.lv/ , and followed on the social network page “What’s on in Riga”.
Information was prepared by: Sindija Grāvere, Project Coordinator External Communication Division of Riga City Council, e-mail: sindija.gravere@riga.lv