Remembering the barricades
On January 20 Latvia commemorates the people who fought and died as hardliner communists tried to put an end to the country's independence struggle.
In January 1991, thousands upon thousands of freedom supporters built makeshift barricades across strategic locations in Rīga to prevent them from being overtaken by Soviet troops. At one point, around 700,000 demonstrators gathered on the streets of Rīga in a remarkable show of solidarity characteristic of the times of change.
As is now traditional, barricade fires and candles will be lit in Rīga commemorating the time and the people who died during the events. A commemorative concert (free entrance) will be held at 4 p.m at the Rīga Cathedral.
Rally Alūksne 2019
On January 18-19 the Rally Alūksne 2019 is taking place in northeastern Latvia, with 85 teams competing for first place, including Polish, Lithuanian, Estonian, Norwegian and Latvian drivers. Alūksne is currently under a thick snow cover, and therefore things are bound to be interesting.
Piano music in Latgale
Meanwhile Latgale's GORS music hall will host excelling pianist Reinis Zariņš. On January 19, he'll play wintry pieces by Chopin, Bartok, Debussy and others.