Riga bkl-ENG3a.indd - Baltic Hotels Online

TOURISM MANUAL
Schwab house
6 Rātslaukums (Townhallsquare), Riga, LV -1050, Latvia
Telephone:
+371 67037900
Fax:
+371 67037910
E-mail:
[email protected]
www.rigatourism.com
Riga international Bus Station
1 Prāgas Street, Riga, LV -1050, Latvia
Telephone:
+371 6722 0555
Riga Central Train Station
2 Stacijas Square, Riga, LV -1050, Latvia
Telephone:
+371 6723 3815
Latvian Tourism Information Bureau
4 Smilšu Street, Riga, LV- 1050, Latvia
Telephone:
+371 6722 4664
Fax:
+371 6722 4665
E-mail:
[email protected]
Riga International Airport /Arrival area/
Telephone:
+371 67292611
CONTENT
Riga in figures
3
History of Riga
7
The unit of money in the Republic of Latvia
11
How to reach Riga?
13
Concert halls, Theatres, Cinemas
15
Museums
17
Map
18
The most notable locations in Old Riga
21
Art Nouveau
27
Traditions and holidays
31
Biggest events in Riga
33
Useful links
35
Where to call in urgent situations?
35
What is prohibited in public places?
35
Foreign representation
36
1
RIGA IN FIGURES
Riga is the capital of the Republic of Latvia, the state's administrative
and political centre and the largest city in the Baltic States. Riga is
located in the coastal lowlands on the banks of the River Daugava,
close to its estuary in the Gulf of Riga.
The geographic location
Latvia's place on the map of the world has always brought along not only
welfare, but also a wide variety of disasters. Often enough the people of
Latvia have been forced into a sense of hopelessness. Over the course of the
centuries, countless invaders have tried to make this small country on the
shore of the Baltic Sea a part of their empires.
Latvia is in the very centre of the continent of Europe, and it is no accident
that it is often called a bridge between the East and the West. The Latvian
capital city of Riga can be accessed with equal speed and ease from Moscow
and from the largest cities of Western Europe.
Latvia is 64,589 km2 in size, and it has 1,865 kilometers of border - 1,350
on land.
Area
The area of Riga covers
Residential areas
Streets and roads
Industrial areas
Water
Parks
21,8%
8,0%
17,0%
15,8%
19,0%
307,17 km2
67,00 km2
24,64 km2
52,45 km2
48,50 km2
57,54 km2
Riga is divided into 6 administrative districts:
Vidzemes district
Zemgales district
Ziemeļu district
2
Latgales district
Kurzemes district
Centra district
3
Religion
Christianity arrived in Latvia from the West and the East. The church is
separate from the state in Latvia, although since the restoration of the
country’s independence, the importance of religion in the everyday lives of
Latvia’s residents has increased to a significant degree. Increasing numbers
of parents wish to Christen their children, while young couples more
and more often wish to get married in church. Traditionally, the largest
denominations in Latvia have been the Lutheran, the Roman Catholic and
the Russian Orthodox churches.
Language
The state language in Latvia is Latvian. Latvian is an Indo-European
language, part of the Baltic branch of languages. The only two living
languages in the branch are Latvian and Lithuanian. Many people in Latvia
also speak Russian.
Population
Latvia has fewer than 2.3 million residents at this writing. The ethnic
composition of the population has changed again and again over the last
several centuries, and Latvia has always been inhabited by representatives
of various ethnic groups. Latvia is certainly a multi-national country. The
majority of Latvia’s residents have long since lived in cities and towns. Rural
regions tend to be quite sparsely populated.
At the beginning of 2007, there were 722,485 permanent inhabitants in
Riga. The density of the population was 2352 inhabitants per km2.
Climate
Average air temperature 2007:
January
+0,7 °C
July
+16,3 °C
Information: www.meteo.lv
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5
HISTORY OF RIGA
As a Liv Village, Riga exists since the 11th century.
1198 For the first time the name of Riga
was mentioned in the chronicles.
1201 Bishop Albert, the Lord of the Bremen's Town Hall,
founded Riga as a medieval town.
1211 The first school - Dom School - was founded in Riga.
1225-1226 The Riga Town Council was established.
The coat of arms of Riga was created.
1282 Riga joined the Hanseatic League.
1297-1330 The war between the Livonian Order and the Town of Riga.
1521-1524 The start of the Reformation in Latvia.
Riga became a Lutheran town.
1524 The first public library was founded.
1558-1583 The Livonian War. As a result,
Riga was incorporated into the Polish-Lithuanian state.
1561-1581 Riga obtained the status of a free town.
1581 Riga swore loyalty to Stephan Batory,
the King of Poland and Lithuania.
1584-1589 As a result of the introduction of the Gregorian Calendar,
"Calendar Unrests" broke out and were used by the Guilds
and the Town Council to fight for the dominance in the city.
1588 The first printing house
- the Mollin printing house - was opened in Riga.
1600-1629 The Polish - Swedish War.
1621 Riga was taken over by Sweden.
1656-1661 The Russian - Swedish War; Riga was besieged by the army
of the Russian tzar Aleksey.
1700-1721 The Great Northern War; Riga was besieged by
the Saxonian -Russian forces.
1710 Riga was conquered by the Russian tsar Peter the Great.
1773 The first museum - the Museum
of the History of Riga and Navigation - was opened.
1782 The first public theatre was opened in Riga.
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7
1812 The Napoleon's army approached Riga and
Riga's suburbs were burnt down;
preconditions for the present street plan
and construction were created.
1857-1863 The dismantling of the Riga's
fortification walls started.
1868 The foundation of the Riga's Latvian Society.
The period of the Latvian national awakening.
1873 The first Latvia's Song Festival.
2nd half of Riga - one of the most important cities
the 19th c. in Russia, with flourishing industry and trade.
1901 Riga's 700th anniversary.
1914 Beginning of World War I.
1915 Industrial enterprises were evacuated from
Riga as the front line approached.
18.11.1918 The independent State of Latvia
was proclaimed in Riga.
11.11.1919 The Bermondt troops were defeated near Riga.
1920-1921 The peace treaty was signed between Latvia
and Soviet Russia. Latvia was recognized
de jure by Western powers.
1920-1940 Riga became the Latvia's administrative,
cultural, industrial, trade
and educational centre.
17.06.1940 Riga was occupied by the Soviet Army
and the Soviet regime was established.
14.06.1941 The 1st mass deportation of the Latvian
population to Siberia in Russia.
01.07.1941 Riga was occupied by the German troops.
13.10.1944 Riga was recaptured by the Soviet troops
and the Soviet regime was re-established.
1949 The 2nd mass deportation
of the Latvian population.
1988 The start of the 3rd national awakening
to restore the independence of Latvia.
04.05.1990 The Declaration "On the Restoration of the
Independence of Latvia" was adopted.
21.08.1991 Latvia declared itself
an independent democratic state.
2001 The 800th anniversary of Riga.
8
9
THE UNIT OF MONEY
IN THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA
1 Lat (1 Ls = 100 santims)
The Lat is freely convertible currency.
The exchange rate set by the Bank of Latvia on 1 january 2005:
1 EUR = 0.7028 Ls
Banks in Latvia
23 licensed credit institutions are operating in Latvia.
German, Swedish, Finnish, Estonian and Russian banks are included among
shareholders in Latvian banks, along with several major international
financial institutions like the European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development, Swedfund, etc.
The national currency - the lats - was introduced in 1993. You can get 5-, 10, 20-, 50-, 100- and 500- lats banknotes, and 1-, 2-, 5-, 10-, 20-, 50- santims
and 1- and 2- lats.
Most Latvian banks are open from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM on weekdays,
while some are also open on Saturday mornings. Credit cards can be used
in Latvia, and the most common ones are VISA International, Eurocard and
MasterCard. Less commonly found are American Express, Diner's Club and
Eurocheque. All of the aforementioned cards can be used to withdraw cash
advances from ATMs.
10
11
HOW TO REACH RIGA?
Air traffic
RIGA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
www.riga-airport.com
Information:
+371 6720 7009
E-mail:
[email protected]
The airport is located 13km from the centre of Riga.
Sea traffic
TALLINK Grupp AS is the leading international shipping company in the
Baltic Sea area. TALLINK owns and operates vessels meaning passenger
ferries, including cruise ferries and high-speed ferries, and ro-ro cargo
vessels on routes between Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia and Sweden.
Providing high quality cruise and passenger service, TALLINK is also an
important player in sea cargo transportation on the Baltic Sea.
RIGA PASSENGER PORT
3a Eksporta Str., Riga, LV-1010
AS Tallink Latvija
Booking and information phone:
E-mail:
Cargo phone:
E-mail:
www.tallink.lv
+ 371 6709 9700
[email protected]
+371 6709 9707
[email protected]
Bus traffic
Direct trips from Riga to Byelorussia, Benelux, Bulgaria, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy,
Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, Ukraine.
RIGA INTERNATIONAL BUSSTATION
1 Pragas Street, Riga, LV-1050
Information pay-phone
Ticket reservation pay-phone
Ticket booth for international routes
E-mail: [email protected]
Ecolines
Eurolines
www.autoosta.lv
+371 900 0009
+371 900 1111
+371 6721 2402
www.ecolines.lv
www.eurolines.lv
Railway traffic
Railway traffic (without transfer) connects Riga with Moscow, St.Petersburg,
Truskavets, Simferopol.
12
CENTRAL TERMINAL STATION
www.ldz.lv • www.pv.lv
1 Stacijas laukums (Railway square), Riga, LV-1050
Information phone:
+371 6723 1181
Booking phone:
+371 6721 6664
+371 6723 3397
+371 6723 2133
13
CONCERT HALLS
Concert Hall "Ave Sol", St.Peter - Pavil Church
Concert Hall "The Big Guild"
www.music.lv/orchestra
"The Small Guild" - Riga Culture and folk art centre www.gilde.lv/maza
House of Blackheads
http://nami.riga.lv/mn
Riga Dome Church concerthall
www.concert.lv
Wagner Concert Hall
www.concert.lv
Riga Latvian Society house
www.rlb.lv
Riga Congress Hall
www.rigacongress.lv
St. Peter's Church
www.peterbaznica.lv
Anglican Church
www.anglicanriga.lv
St. John's Church
www.janabaznica.lv
Latvian Music Academy
www.music.lv/academy/lv
Latvian University The Great Hall
Sapņu fabrika (Dream factory)
www.sapnufabrika.lv
The multifunctional arena
www.arenariga.lv
THEATRES
Latvian National opera
Latvijas Dailes teātris
Latvian National theatre
Jaunais Rīgas Teātris (New Riga Theatre)
"KABATA", independent theatre
THEATRE TT
"HAMLETS" theatre-club
Latvian State puppet theatre
Riga Circus
Riga Russian drama theatre
"SKATUVE", independent theatre
Riga Pantomime
Theatre group "United Intimacy"
www.opera.lv
www.dailesteatris.lv
www.teatris.lv
www.jrt.lv
www.teatristt.lv
www.hamlets.valsts.lv
www.puppet.lv
www.cirks.lv
www.trd.lv
www.pantomima.lv
www.unitedintimacy.lv
CINEMAS
Coca-Cola Plaza
Daile
Rīga
K. Suns
Kinogalerija
Kinogrāfs
14
www.forumcinemas.lv
www.forumcinemas.lv
www.cinema-riga.lv
www.kinogalerija.lv
www.kinogalerija.lv
www.kinografs.lv
15
MUSEUMS
Museum and Documentation Centre “Jews in Latvia”
Andrejs Upitis Memorial Museum
Aleksandrs Caks Memorial Flat
www.cakamuzejs.lv
Latvian Museum of Architecture
www.archmuseum.lv
Museum of Foreign Art
www.amm.lv
Riga Film Museum
www.nfc.lv
Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation
www.vip.latnet.lv/museums/Riga/
Riga Motormuseum
Firefighting Museum of Latvia
www.motormuzejs.lv
www.ltg.lv/motormuzejs
www.ugdd.lv/lv/muzejs
Ethnographic Open-air Museum of Latvia
www.virmus.com
www.ltg.lv/brivdabas.muzejs
Museum of Pharmacy
Janis Akuraters Museum
Janis Rozentals and Rudolfs Blaumanis Museum
Jekabs Primanis Anatomy Museum
Krisjanis Barons Museum
Latvian Museum of Natural History
www.baronamuzejs.lv
www.dabasmuzejs.gov.lv
Latvian Railway History Museum, Riga Branch www.railwaymuseum.lv
Latvian Museum of Photography
www.fotomuzejs.lv
Herbarium of the University of Latvia
Latvian War Museum
www.karamuzejs.lv
www.lu.lv/botaniskais
Metzendorff’s House City-Dwellers’ House Museum
www.mencendorfanams.com
Literature, Theatre and Music Museum
Pauls Stradins Museum of the History of Medicine
Latvian Culture Museum “Dauderi”
Latvian Sport Museum
Tennis Museum
Ojars Vacietis Memorial Museum
16
Eduards Smilgis Theatre Museum
www.mvm.lv
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church
www.peterbaznica.lv
St. John’s Lutheran Church
www.janabaznica.lv
State Museum of Art
www.vmm.lv
Museum of Decorative Applied Arts
www.dlmm.lv
Dome Cathedral
www.doms.lv
National History Museum of Latvia
Museum of the Occupation of Latvia
Blackheads House
Barricades’ Museum
Aircraft’s Museum
www.enri.lv
www.history-museum.lv
www.occupationmuseum.lv
http://nami.riga.lv/mn
www.barikades.lv
http://avia.ak22.net/EN/index.html
Lattelekom Museum of Telecommunications http://muzejs.lattelekom.lv
The Riga Porcelain Museum
17
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19
THE MOST NOTABLE LOCATIONS
IN OLD RIGA
1
The Dome Cathedral
1 Doma Square
The cornerstone for the Dome Cathedral, which is the seat of the
archbishop of the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church, was laid on 1211.
The architecture of the church includes elements of Early Gothic, Baroque
and other styles, but the main building and the attached cloister form a
harmonic ensemble nevertheless. This is the largest church building in
Latvia, and inside one can find many art treasures.
2
1
2
3
4
St. John's Lutheran Church
24 Skārņu Street
The church began its life as a chapel for a Dominican cloister that was
established in 1234. It became a church in the late 13th century, and in 1582
it became the first Latvian church in Rīga. The architecture of the church
features a step-type pediment and magnificent arches inside. Major works
of sacral art can be seen inside the church.
3
St. Jacob’s Catholic Church
2 Klostera Street
Work on this Early Gothic structure began around 1226, according to written
documents. This period of construction is represented in the interior of the
church by its arches. The Late Gothic period was the time when the attached
St. Cross chapel was built. For a time it housed a lyceum - one of the first
educational institutions of its kind in Rīga. The steeple was installed in
1756. There is a clock in its base, and a bell to ring alarms was installed in
the upper portion of the structure.
4
St. Peter's Lutheran Church
19 Skārņu Street
One of the most ancient examples of Medieval churches in the Baltic region,
St. Peter’s was first built in the 13th century, although since then it has
gone through a number of building periods. A Baroque wooden steeple
was installed in 1690 - the highest in the world at the time. The church
was burned down during World War II and restored only in 1973. The metal
steeple is 123.25 metres high. The interior of the church contains ancient
epitaphs and burial plaques.
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21
1
1
The Melngalvju (Blackheads) House
7 Rātslaukums (Townhallsquare)
The origins of this structure date back to the 14th century, when a building
was put up for the needs of city officials and tradesmen. The so-called
Blackheads Society, whose patron was St. Mauritius, took over the building
in the 15th century, although the name “Blackheads House” dates back only
to 1687. In 1713, the society won full ownership rights to the building. It
once contained one of the world’s richest collections of silver objects. The
building was destroyed during World War II, but on June 29, 1995, the
foundations for the structure that is seen today were laid. A memorial
capsule was inserted into the foundations. Work on the restoration was
completed in 1999.
2
The Small Guild
6 Amatu Street
The Small Guild was established in the mid-14th century, bringing together
Rigensian craftsmen. It was during the same period that the building
was put up. The guild issued regulations related to the work of artisans
in Rīga. The patron saint of the guild is John the Baptist. The present-day
building was built between 1864 and 1866 on the basis of a design from the
distinguished architect Johan Daniel Felsko. It is an example of the British
Neo-Gothic style. The beautiful interiors of the Small Guild building were
restored in 2000.
3
2
3
4
The Gunpowder Tower
20 Smilšu Street
This is one of the towers which helped to form the formerly walled city’s
fortifications. Initially known as the Sand Tower, it dates back to 1330. It
was rebuilt several times and took on its present identity in the 17th century
– logically enough because gunpowder was stored in the tower. A military
museum was installed in the tower in 1919. A new museum structure was
attached between 1937 and 1939, and today there is an interesting and
extensive exhibition at the facility.
4
The Large Guild
5 Amatu Street
The Large Guild, for its part, was established in 1354 by tradesmen in Rīga,
and the guild monopolised trade in the city until the 19th century. The
patron saint of the guild is St. Mary. Fragments of the building’s original,
14th-century interiors can still be seen in the form of an ancient column.
The present-day structure was put up between 1854 and 1857. Today the
building is the home of the Latvian Philharmonic Orchestra.
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23
1
The Freedom Monument
At the crossing of Brīvības blvd. and Raiņa blvd.
The Freedom Monument is a symbol of Latvia’s freedom and independence,
erected by the architects Kārlis Zāle and Ernests Štālbergs. People donated
money for the project, which was completed in 1935. On the front wall of the
monument is the inscription "Tēvzemei un Brīvībai", or "For the Fatherland
and Freedom" - an expression of the meaning of the monument.
2
The Rīga Castle
3 Pils Square
The castle was built in 1330 as a residence for the master of the Livonian
Order. The building was sacked in 1448, and in subsequent decades it was
rebuilt a number of times. Eventually it lost its Medieval appearance. The
lead tower was put up in the early 16th century, while the so-called three
star tower was erected in 1938. A new three-story addition was attached
between 1785 and 1787 for the needs of the provincial institutions in the
city. The White Hall was installed in 1818. In 1938 the architect Eižens Laube
redesigned the interiors so that they could be used by the government for
ceremonial occasions. The Red Hall was one of the results. The president of
Latvia has offices and ceremonial facilities in the castle at this time but does
not live there. The complex also contains several museums.
1
2
24
3
3
The Three Brothers
19 Mazā Pils Street
The "three brothers" are an example of Medieval residential structures
in Rīga - three buildings that were put up on very narrow strips of land.
The facades and interiors provide a textbook example of the development
of architecture over the course of time. Mazā Pils iela 17 is the oldest
stone residential building in Rīga (late 15th, early 16th century), and its
distinctive chimney has been preserved. The facade is accepted with a steptype pediment and a Gothic niche. Number 19 was put up in 1646, while
Number 21 took on its appearance in the late 17th century. One of the walls
in the interior yard of the structure contains the oldest known city emblem
of Rīga, along with some stone portals.
25
ART NOUVEAU
We begin our tour with the first Art Nouveau building in Riga, at Audēju
Street 7 (1899, architects Alfred Aschenkampff and Makss Scherwinsky). This
is the earliest Art Nouveau building in the city. It is a classical Art Nouveau
design, with stylised plants (irises, blooming trees, reed mace) and fantasised
human faces.
Audēju Street 9 (1900, architect Konstantīns Pēkšēns). Here we find the motif
of the sun - a motif that was so typical of Art Nouveau, symbolising, as it does,
the flourishing of new life. The sun motif can be found on many Art Nouveau
buildings.
Teātra Street 9 (1903, architects Heinrich Scheel). This building is decorated
with images of mythological gods - Athena and Hermes. The building is
crowned by Atlas, holding on his shoulders a globe that is made of glass and
zinc. The globe is lit up at night.
Kalēju Street 23 (1903, architect Paul Mandelstamm). This building is
distinguished by the corner portal that is in the form of the crown of a tree,
and by the gilded sun motif that is in the décor.
Kalēju Street 6. In the facade of the building, we see an engraved ornament of
flowers that is typical of later Art Nouveau. The unusual metal flag holder that
is in the shape of a stylised dragon has survived.
Kaļķu Street 22 (1912-1913, architect Paul Mandelstamm) and Kaļķu Street
24 (1913-1917, architects Paul Mandelstamm and Herbert Timmer). Both
buildings have a vertical Art Nouveau design. These are typical office buildings
with elements of Neo-Classicism. They have been rebuilt since their original
construction, but they have maintained their original shape.
Kaļķu Street 15 (1913, architect Jānis Alksnis). This is a typical commercial
building from the early 20th century, built in the style of Neo-Classicism. It
was one of the first buildings in Riga to use a monolith cement carcass in its
structure.
Meistaru Street 10 (1909, architect Friedrich Scheffel). Known as the "Cat
House" because of the cats that sit atop its corner towers, this building was put
up specifically to display the owner’s superiority over the owners of the Great
Guild building which is nearby. The facade has a medieval air to it, but it does
include some decorative motifs from the school of Art Nouveau, particularly in
the portal. One of the portals has masks that are typical of Art Nouveau.
Vaļņu Street 2 (1911, Edgars Freisendorfs). Of interest here is the entrance
portal with its sculptural reliefs - one of the most expressive manifestations
of Art Nouveau relief in the city. There are copper statues of characters from
Greek mythology - Asclepius, the god of medicine, and the Moira Atropos,
who was one of the goddesses of fate. The statues symbolise life, health and
labour.
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Smilšu Street 1/3 (1906, architect Nikolajs Proskurņiks from St Petersburg).
This building is a combination of a variety of Art Nouveau motifs. An allegorical
depiction of Hope is at the centre of the structure.
27
Smilšu Street 2 (1902). This building is a masterpiece of Art Nouveau
architecture in Riga. The facade is decorated with a depiction of a peacock,
which was one of the key elements of beauty and self-confidence in Art
Nouveau.
The bay is supported by trees which turn into the figures of Atlantis and
Cariatide. The reliefs on the building depict various hybrid beings, while the
dormers are decorated with the motifs of the sun. The building is “guarded”
by masks of dogs. Specialists believe that the depiction of Hermes under the
dormer is the most beautiful depiction of a female figure in Rigensian Art
Nouveau architecture.
Smilšu Street 3 (1910, architects Artur Medlinger and Hermann Seiberlich).
This was originally the headquarters of a bank. The entrance portal from
Smilšu Street is decorated with reliefs which illustrate the idea of a bank as an
international institution.
Smilšu Street 6 (1912, architect Wilhelm Bockslaff). This building was also put
up as the headquarters of a bank. The gilded ornament reflects the influence
of Neo-Classicism.
Smilšu Street 8 (1902, architects Heinrich Scheel). This building features a
wealth of masks, hybrid beings and flora. Above the side bays there are two
female figures holding a crown in their outstretched hands. The two portals
feature another female figure with her eyes closed, depicting a melancholic air
that was typical of Art Nouveau. The decorations in the entrance hall are seen
by specialists as a textbook example of the ornamental forms of Art Nouveau.
Smilšu Street 10 (1910, architect Ernest Pole). The facade of the upper floor of
the building includes stylised elements of Neo-Classicism.
Šķūņu Street 4 (1911, architect Paul Mandelstamm). This used to be one
of four multi-floor department stores in Riga. The windows in the stairwell
feature stained glass that is typical of the Art Nouveau period.
Šķūņu Street 10/12 (1902, architects Heinrich Scheel and Friedrich Scheffel).
The facade of the building is decorated with the initials of the initial owner,
along with masks and motifs of flora. Above the bay in the building’s pediment
there is a dog which is “guarding” the building.
Tirgoņu Street 4 (1900, architects Heinrich Scheel and Friedrich Scheffel ).
This apartment and retail building its facade design is different.
Doma Square 8 (1913, architect Paul Mandelstamm). The pediment of this,
a former bank building that was designed in the style of Neo-Classicism,
includes an allegoric composition that is typical of Art Nouveau.
Jauniela 25/29 (1903, architect Wilhlem Bockslaff). This building features
various historical styles in its design, combined with ornamentation from
the Art Nouveau period. Seeking to ensure that the building fits in with its
background, the architect divided it up into three segments and optically
reduced its height. A key element in the visual impression is the mask which
stands against the motif of the sun.
28
M. Pils Street 6. Our tour concludes at this café, where we can enjoy a cup of
coffee while enjoying the comfortable Art Nouveau interior. The interior was
reconstructed in 1996.
29
TRADITIONS AND HOLIDAYS
The traditions and festivals of ancient Latvians were all related to the
rhythms of nature and the placement of the Sun in the sky. Holidays relating
to religious events took on a distinctly pagan nature. The most important
holiday for every Latvian is the Summer Solstice festival, or Jāņi, which is
celebrated on the night of June 23. Farms are bedecked with garlands of
oak and birch branches and meadow flowers. Nearly everyone leaves the
city for the open air so that the shortest night of the year can be spent in the
merry company of friends. Campfires are lit, special songs are sung, dancing
is a universal element during the festival. Traditional caraway seed cheese
and lots of beer are on the menu.
Latvians are very proud of their quadrennial Song and Dance Festival. This
festival has been organised since 1873, and each time it brings together
literally tens of thousands of singers and dancers, dressed in their best
folk costumes and coming from every region in Latvia. The festival always
unifies the Latvian nation, strengthening its spiritual self-esteem. The Song
and Dance Festival has never lost its significance, and it helps in upholding
ancient traditions of song and dance in Latvia. The festival is always held
in Rīga, with the culminating concert on the grand open-air stage in
Mežaparks. A massive parade of participants weaves through the city, and
every resident and guest of Rīga is on hand to watch the spectacle.
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BIGGEST EVENTS IN RIGA
July
January
Music Festival "Winterfest"
Remembrance of the Barricade Days of 1991
International Blues Festival
www.hbf.lv
www.rdkp.lv
www.blues.lv
www.rigasritmi.lv
www.mgtops.lv
www.concert.lv
www.concert.lv
August
February
Latvian Annual Festivity
"Meteņi" (Shrovetide)
St.Valentine's Day Party
International Festival of Rhythmic Music
"Riga Rhythms"
Latvian Florist Exhibition "Flower Ball"
International Ancient Music Festival
International Organ Music Festival
www.ltg.lv/brivdabas.muzejs
http://nami.riga.lv/mn
March
Great Music Award Ceremony and Winners Concert www.music.lv/balva
12th International Baltic Ballet Festival
www.ballet-festival.lv
The Great Day. Spring solstice events
Spring time is welcome and celebrate with Latvian folk songs and dances
www.ltg.lv/brivdabas.muzejs
Commemoration Day of Victims of Communist Terror
www.rdkp.lv
10th International Sacred Music Festival
Festivity of Riga City
www.music.lvchoirs/Latvia
www.rdkp.lv
September
September Days of Chamber Music
www.concert.lv
Days of Poetry
Phone: +371 67555180
International Festival of Film Actors "Baltic Pearl" www.balticpearl.lv
Fair on the Mikelis Day's Eve in the Dome Square
and Apple Fair in the Town Hall Square
www.rdkp.lv • http://nami.riga.lv/mn
October
New Music Festival
April
5th International Festival of Animation Films BIMINI
www.bimini.lv
Boy Choir Festival "Riga Cathedral"
www.boyschoirfest.lv
International Competition in Callisthenic
"Baltic Circle 2006"
www.sports.riga.lv
The Easter in Riga
www.rdkp.lv
Opening of Tourism Season
www.rigatourism.lv
May
The street relay- race
www.sports.riga.lv
The Anniversary of Declaration
on Restoration of Latvia's Independence
www.rdkp.lv
The May Fair
http://nami.riga.lv/mn
The Art Days
www.rdkp.lv
Mother Day activities
www.rdkp
Events in the first Sunday of May with concerts at cultural houses and parks
Museum Days' activities
www.muzeji.lv
The Riga International Marathon
www.sports.riga.lv
Rowing Festival
www.sports.riga.lv
Riga's Pupils Palace celebration
www.ltg.lv/brivdabas.muzejs
www.arenafest.lv
November
6th Contemporary Folk Music Festival "Live Music"
Event dedicated to the Lāčplēsis Day
Events dedicated to the anniversary
of the proclamation of the Republic of Latvia
www.km.gov.lv
www.rdkp.lv
www.rdkp.lv
December
Lighting Riga's main Christmas tree
Christmas Market
Log Pulling evening in Riga / Christmas Party
New Years Eve
www.rdkp.lv
www.rdkp.lv
www.rdkp.lv
www.rdkp.lv
June
Riga Cycle- marathon
www.velo.lv
Market of Latvian Folk Art
www.ltg.lv/brivdabas.muzejs
Riga Opera Festival
www.opera.lv
Summer Solstice. Enchanting of John's Day www.ltg.lv/brivdabas.muzejs
The Green Market in Dome Square
www.rdkp.lv
"Līgo" celebration in Riga
http://ac.lido.lv
32
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USEFUL LINKS:
www.rigatourism.com
Riga Tourism Coordination
and Information Centre
www.riga.lv
Official website of the Riga City
http://vip.latnet.lv/ArtNouveau/en/default.htm
Art Nouveau
www.inspirationriga.lv
Information on meetings and incentives
in Riga and Latvia
www.riga-airport.com
Riga International Airport
www.autoosta.lv
Riga International Bus Station
www.ldz.lv
Riga International Train Station
www.rigamap.lv
The Latvian Institute
www.li.lv
www.latviatourism.lv
Latvian Tourism Board
www.lv
General information about Latvia
www.ailab.lv/Riga/Riga-en.htm
Cultural Heritage of Riga
www.muzeji.lv
Museum Guide
www.lvra.lv
Association of Hotels and Restaurants of Latvia
www.eventguide.lv
Events in Riga and Latvia
www.latvia.lv
Official country website
WHERE TO CALL
IN URGENT SITUATIONS?
HOTLINE FOR TOURISTS
Fire station
Police
Ambulance
Gas emergency service
Inquires
AIDS centre
Central phone (in case of any accident)
22033000
01
02
03
04
1180, 1188, 1199
67543777
112
WHAT IS PROHIBITED
IN PUBLIC PLACES?
34
35
FOREIGN REPRESENTATIONS
AUSTRIA
Elizabetes 15
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