Visitors to Times Square in New York, USA got an unmissable reminder about the centenary taking place on the other side of the Atlantic.
Latvia is Celebrating 100 Years!
— Nasdaq Riga (@NasdaqRiga) November 16, 2018
Congratulations from New York Times Square! @Nasdaq #LV100 ?? pic.twitter.com/uzqvZlDo7b
Also in the U.S., the hallowed halls of the library of Congress echoed to the sounds of Latvian voices.
There was also a memorable night closer to home in Estonia.
Thanks to all our friends in #Estonia with whom we shared our joy celebrating #Lv100? @LatvijaiSimts in #Tallinn Mustpeade maja tonight! And remember - celebration will continue on Sunday in #Tartu. You are welcome! pic.twitter.com/OKEwaOZhAg
— Latvia in Estonia (@LV_Estonia) November 16, 2018
We celebrated #Latvia100 at the @librarycongress with friends of Latvia and the Latvian @radiokoris. Frm Dep SecGen Amb Alexander Vershbow of @NATO was awarded the Order of the Three Stars -highest Latvian award. ?????? pic.twitter.com/7Ef5LbOThK
— Latvia in USA ?? (@Latvia_USA) November 17, 2018
Rīga mayor Nils Ušakovs provided a reminder that the annual Staro Rīga festival of lights is now underway, featuring 43 different light installations and illuminations around the Latvian capital.
✨ Festivāls "Staro Rīga" sākas jau šodien. 43 mākslas un gaismas instalācijas. Vakaros apkaimēs notiks parādes "Gaismas slepenā dzīve". 16.11 gājiens notiks pie VEF, 17.11 Ziemeļblāzmā, 18. 11 Ķengaraga promenādē, 19.11 Iļģuciemā. Gājieni notiks divreiz dienā - 17.00 un 20.00. pic.twitter.com/NrrpNL74Ma
— Nils Ušakovs - Нил Ушаков (@nilsusakovs) November 16, 2018
People viewing the sights provided a steady stream of spectacular images with weather conditions seemingly perfect for the spectacle.
#LV100 #StaroRīga pic.twitter.com/IquRgcrcOi
— Kaspars Funts (@KFunts) November 17, 2018
No less spectacular are the illuminations in Canada, with the Niagara Falls set to turn the colors of the Latvian flag.
Don’t miss this historical moment! The Niagra Falls in colours of the #Latvian flag red-white-red on 17 November at 9.00 pm, 10.00 pm & 11.00 pm. The Republic of #Latvia will celebrate cenntinial anniversary on 18 November. More: https://t.co/4vF8LCPyL0 #Latvia100 @LatvijaiSimts pic.twitter.com/6dmm74owU9
— Latvia ?? in Canada (@LV_Canada) November 12, 2018
On the other side of the globe, celebrations are also under way in Japan, which has seen a notable surge in tourists coming to Latvia in recent years.
@100Latvia celebrations have started at @Latvia_Japan with ??#choirGaisma performance & many distinguished guests, among them Mr. Nakasone-Chairman of ????Parliamentary Friendship Group, MPs, gov.officials, diplomats, business ppl, artists, press&diaspora #LV100arlietas #LV100 pic.twitter.com/vjf1jGUOi4
— Latvia in Japan (@Latvia_Japan) November 17, 2018
In Italy too, the once-per-century chance to celebrate was not being passed up.
Celebrating #100 in Rome in the atmosphere of Latvian Nationwide Song and Dance Celebration! Thanks to the diaspora choir “Saule” representatives. Honored by the presence Senator @IsabellaRauti President of the parliamentary inter-group "Friends of Baltic States" #LV100arlietas pic.twitter.com/U9RY8w2NEe
— ??Latvia in Italy (@Latvia_Italy) November 16, 2018
Nor should we forget our southern neighbors and fellow Balts in Lithuania.
Sincere thanks to all guests, including @PranckietisV and Vice-Speaker of @Jekaba11 D.Beitnere - Le Galla for attending the @LatvijaiSimts celebration in Vilnus yesterday! Special thanks to @ChoirLatvija and Maestro Māris Sirmais for excellent concert! #LV100arlietas pic.twitter.com/iAAx9vHxeJ
— Latvia in Lithuania (@LV_Lithuania) November 16, 2018
Earlier in the week a special concert in London, UK featured some of Latvia's most talented performers. It was broadcast live on national radio in the UK and Latvia and remains available to listen to online for a month at the BBC website.
The full program of events planned for the weekend is available at the official LV100 website and numerous more examples of the ways in which people are celebrating can be found by searching for the #LV100 hashtag.
And we should also remind you that wherever you are in the world you will be able to follow the November 18 celebrations live at the special Visiem LTV online television channel.
