Hi all,
I’ll be leaving for Riga mid-September and will be back to the states in mid-October.  I was wondering if there was ANYTHING going on in Riga and the surrounding areas??  Any kind of festivals??  Anything of interest??
Thanks in advance all!!!
Palides!

Wow, that’s a long time!  I’m envious. 

I’m afraid I can’t help with any suggestions, but I DO hope you have an enjoyable and meaningful visit!

Thanks Anita - the main reason I’m going is my mother’s 90th birthday!!!!  I will definitely enjoy myself.  I am also thinking of moving there within the next 2 years!  :-)

Sveika, Ligita!

The main event at that time of year is the Arsenāls film festival, starting 17 September. This year’s films haven’t been announced yet, but you can save money by getting tickets now—the movies are usually great.

There will also be the traditional Baltic Dance Nights 1-3 October. On 26 September there are Musica Sacra concerts in churches throughout Latvia. The New Music Festival Arēna starts on 9 October. 

You might also check http://www.notikumi.lv as your travel dates draw nearer.

Vysu lobu,
/P

There is a parliamentary election taking place on October 2nd. If you are a Latvian citizen be sure to vote.

All the activities connected to this singular democratic event should provide some form of entertainment, both before and after.

Forgot to mention that September 1 is ‘Zinibu Diena’, when Latvia’s students of all ages hit the streets, cafes, clubs and other intellectual establishments and stay up all night to engage in sparklng debates about the meaning of life. Some even go to school the next day.

Sveiks, Ojār!

I forgot the election as a form of entertainment, yes (even if there is a high probability of tragedy).

Re: 1 September, whatever happened to the proposed drinking ban? Did that not go through?

Vysu lobu,
/P

Don’t know, but does a ban on anything ever stop enterprising students?

Certainly not (one can plan ahead, of course!)—but many people (Mārtiņš Rītiņš, hoteliers) had issues, since the ban would apply to all establishments and one couldn’t even get wine with one’s gourmet dinner!

/P

Peteris Cedrins - 21 July 2010 08:40 PM

Sveika, Ligita!

The main event at that time of year is the Arsenāls film festival, starting 17 September. This year’s films haven’t been announced yet, but you can save money by getting tickets now—the movies are usually great.

There will also be the traditional Baltic Dance Nights 1-3 October. On 26 September there are Musica Sacra concerts in churches throughout Latvia. The New Music Festival Arēna starts on 9 October. 

You might also check http://www.notikumi.lv as your travel dates draw nearer.

Vysu lobu,
/P

Sveiks Peteris!
Thank you VERY much for all this info - and I’ll bookmark the link you gave me!!  On the film festival, I’ll probably get in free, since my brother is associated with all that!  I also can make the Baltic Dance nights - that sounds really good!
Paldies!!!

Ojars Kalnins - 22 July 2010 12:54 AM

There is a parliamentary election taking place on October 2nd. If you are a Latvian citizen be sure to vote.

All the activities connected to this singular democratic event should provide some form of entertainment, both before and after.

Well, you know - I THOUGHT I was a Latvian citizen!!??  I did all the paper work when a friend of my sister’s took our money and all.  But I never received ANY notification about it.  Where can I find out IF I am a citizen??  Any suggestions?  Maybe I should just try and get a Latvian passport??

Best of luck to you Ligita in your travels and with this citizenship issue!  There’s a site called “Live Riga”; it’s on the facebook page.  Looks like there’s some interesting eents listed there, at least from my perspective—Craftsman Days at the open air museum, an Autumn Solistice Harvest Fair and other things you may want to check out:

http://www.liveriga.com/en/craftsmen-days-at-the-open-air-m/outdoor-events/events/feel

Have a wonderful trip and don’t forget to check back here on LOL sometime and tell us about it!

Irena

Irena - 22 July 2010 02:46 PM

Best of luck to you Ligita in your travels and with this citizenship issue!  There’s a site called “Live Riga”; it’s on the facebook page.  Looks like there’s some interesting eents listed there, at least from my perspective—Craftsman Days at the open air museum, an Autumn Solistice Harvest Fair and other things you may want to check out:

http://www.liveriga.com/en/craftsmen-days-at-the-open-air-m/outdoor-events/events/feel

Have a wonderful trip and don’t forget to check back here on LOL sometime and tell us about it!

Irena

Palides Irena - and that Craftsman Days looks good!  I’m a “crafty” person!! LOL!
And I will definitely report back and my trip!

LigitaR: Call the Latvian Embassy in Washington, D.C. They should be able to help you out.

LigitaR et al.,
“I was wondering if there was ANYTHING going on in Riga and the surrounding areas??”

The opera season should be in full swing, provided it is your cup of tea.

Visu labu,

Ligita,
I will be in Rīga (live in Agenskalns) and would be happy to meet. If you are interested, please send a private message and I will send contacts.