The organizers say that this year the festival will have a new geography, as it will be enjoyed not only in the Old Town and the center of Riga, as it has been in the past, but also in Pārdaugava. When asked why the festival has not been held in recent years, "Staro Rīga" curator Diāna Čivle explains that this festival was influenced not only by the timing of Covid-19, but also by the discussions that started about whether November is the right month to hold the festival.
In the end it was decided not to change anything because the event it is one of the ways to celebrate the birthday of the Latvian state on November 18. Čivle said that Staro Rīga is primarily designed for the local population, but that tourists from neighbouring countries are also interested.
"It is possible that many people have not seen the festival at all, especially the younger generation. I think that every festival is a new experience for us, first of all, because we go out and show new works by new artists. Every festival is completely different - you can't repeat the same festival, the atmosphere is very light and pleasant in the city. You have to let yourself be part of the experience," says Čivle.
Ēriks Lingebērziņš, Chairman of the Board of the Latvian Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators, points out that such events, which take place outdoors and in the off-season months, are the right direction for Rīga to move in. However, such events should be planned much more in advance to ensure an economic return.
"If we could now know for sure that such an event will also take place in 2025, as it did in the past, then tourism products and offers for both local and foreign visitors are already building on this, which can be used to make money and reap economic benefits. I have to say that this year it will probably be a pleasant reunion for the locals and it will be an enjoyable event. But whether this will be the tool that will get the whole hospitality sector in the Old Town moving this year, where it is most needed, probably not," said Lingebērziņš.
The Riga Investment and Tourism Agency welcomes the return of the Staro Rīga festival to the capital. The timing of the festival is also favorable for attracting foreign tourists, as the event will take place all weekend and on Monday, said Ieva Lasmane, Deputy Director of the Riga Investment and Tourism Agency.
"The good thing is that the event takes place in an off-season month. It is important to have such big events and attract foreign visitors. This year we have started to promote Staro Riga in the Baltic States, because it is the easiest for guests from our neighboring countries to come to an event like this. The number of venues is also large enough, so the festival looks quite interesting for foreign guests as well."
The timing of the festival also gives Latvian residents the opportunity to take the plunge and visit Staro Rīga, as November 18, which falls on a Monday, will be a holiday.
