Pictorial evidence of this enviable ability comes courtesy of what looks like an absolutely marvellous celebration of the wide and wild world of mushrooms held Augsut 18 at Medumi in Augšdaugava municipality.
A fabulous theatrical show titled "The Secret Life of Mushrooms" was part of a much wider celebration of all matters mycological which included advice on mushroom hunting, identification masterclasses, concerts, cooking tips, and lectures on the cultural significance of mushrooms in Latvia, which it is impossible to over-stress.
However, it is the costumes on display in the "dress up as a mushroom" contest which really catch the eye, displaying almost as much variety, beauty and mind-bending weirdness as the mossy forest floors themselves.
Participants were invited to dress up as their favorite mushroom and rose to the occasion like a forest toadstool after an autumn shower, with entrants proudly displaying their location of origin in much the same way Miss World contestants did in an earlier and less edible age.
Naturally, the awarding of prizes was followed by a faerie bacchanal (i.e. a dance) lasting until 23:00 at which point the whole festival presumably disappeared in a cloud of puffball dust.
According to the organizers' description of the Medumi mushroom fest, the main conclusion to be drawn is that "Mushrooms can live without humans, but humans cannot. Mushrooms are everywhere." Wise words indeed, which we would do well to remember in our daily lives. Medumi next year is now a must.
