Culture
The Latvian National Culture Center (NKC) is inviting volunteers to apply for participation at the XXVII Latvian Song and XVII Dance Festival taking place this summer, the NKC said January 23.
This weekend, Latvia commemorates the events known as the 'Barricades' and the people who lost their lives fighting for independence.
On the first day when the Rīga City Council announced an application for Latvian language courses provided by the municipality, all 600 spots were filled quickly, Latvian Television reported on January 16.
This weekend in Latvia is the beginning of the time Latvia commemorates the 1991 barricades, which served a crucial role in the Latvian fight for freedom, and a time to think about being together as one.
On Monday, January 9, applications will open for free Latvian language courses supported by the Rīga municipality, the Riga City Council said January 6.
After the holiday feasts, it is time to get a bit of exercise. It will be cold this weekend, but don't let that scare you. Take a thermos and a good woolly sweater and go explore!
Residents' satisfaction with cultural life in Rīga has deteriorated over the past four years. Less satisfied with cultural life in the capital are the Russian-speakers. In the Ministry of Culture, it is linked to a lack of offers arising from the cessation of cultural relations with Russia, Latvian Radio reported on January 3.
A New Year's Eve of some sort is celebrated in most cultures, and Latvian tradition on this day is rich. LSM's Latvian-language service has compiled some beliefs on what will happen if you do particular things on New Year's Eve.
A party in a Riga bar, dinner in an elegant restaurant, a tango on the dancefloor or a family celebration under the starry sky in the city - the opportunities to properly say goodbye to 2022 and welcome the New 2023 in Riga this season have been laid out in this piece from Live Rīga.
At the winter solstice, the night is as long as it gets. Latvians have long determined it to be an essential time to observe weather and predict the spring and summer weather.
Whichever way you would prefer to spend the holidays – snuggled up indoors or going somewhere to explore – there are plenty of options available. We already compiled a guide of Christmas-themed events in Rīga. Here are a few others which may not be directly related but are certainly in the spirit of light, good will, and peace.
On winter solstice and Christmas, various events will take place in Rīga to appease both those celebrating the pagan and Christian festivals and everything in between.
Now that everything is white all across Latvia, it is worth seizing the opportunity to go on some nature walks while everything looks pristine – particularly as a thaw is predicted next week that will likely spoil the effect. Here are some ideas for places that turn into a little winter wonderland in weather like this. But don't forget your woolly mittens and socks!
Empty shopping mall spaces have temporarily become Kuldīga Culture Center. According to the staff of the Center, the project is unique, all interior has been transferred from the old cultural center which is undergoing construction works, including a cinema, Latvian Radio reported on December 15.
In order to promote Latvia's Livonian culture and language, the Livonian Institute of the University of Latvia in cooperation with the UNESCO Latvian National Commission and the Latvian National Cultural Center on December 7 declared 2023 the year of Livonian heritage.
Members of the Saeima have been removed from the list of persons who will have the opportunity to purchase tickets for the Latvian Song Festival in advance of everyone else, Minister of Culture Nauris Puntulis (National Alliance) said December 8, citing information from the Latvian National Culture Center (LNKC).
Latvia's entry for this year's Academy Awards – the feature film “January” (Janvāris) by director Viesturs Kairišs – will soon be screened in New York and Malibu, giving American audiences a chance to see the acclaimed drama.
Internationally-acclaimed architect Meinhard von Gerkan has died at the age of 87, German media reported December 1.
Pre-holiday time is spent by many looking for presents for loved ones, as well as trying to spread and absorb some light. Here are some weekend ideas how to do that in Latvia.
The UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Preservation of the Intangible Cultural Heritage has decided to include in its representative list of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity the "timber rafting" traditions of several countries, which also includes the value of the Latvian National Intangible Cultural Heritage – the craft skills of the Gauja rafters, representatives of the Latvian National Cultural Center announced.
The opening of the reconstructed Rīga circus arena will take place on Wednesday, Rīga Circus spokeswoman Zane Volkinšteine told LETA.
Now that the Latvian 'patriotic week' with independence celebration and remembrance days has passed and the ground is covered white, it is officially allowed to start waiting for the winter holiday season. Here are some ideas how.
The selection of Latvian film classics on the National Film Center's (NKC) portal filmas.lv has been supplemented with some more 20th-century films, available for viewing worldwide with subtitles in different languages, NKC said November 17.
Friday, November 18, is the Day of the Independence Proclamation in Latvia. As usual, the day is marked by events throughout the country. Last two years have been quiet due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but this year the celebration is back.
In a moving and historic production at the Riga Jewish Community, a German school orchestra and choir recently staged an opera that dates back to the Holocaust.
Mid-November in Latvia is the time to remember the troops fallen for the country's freedom. Here are some ideas to mark the occasion and enhance or test your knowledge of the history surrounding Lāčplēsis Day on November 11.
As you may or may not know, in Latvia children have their own national folk costumes, which are different to adult costumes. Often even children themselves are not familiar with folk costumes, unless they happen to be active in some dance, musical or other folk-related field.
This weekend, enjoy a Latvian-Ukrainian joint exhibition, explore the world of books in Latvia at the Rīga Book Festival, or celebrate a late Halloween at the newly established Bauska Halloween park.
Though Latvians do not celebrate Halloween all that much, there is no reason not to include pumpkins and some creepiness into your weekend.
On October 26, 2022, one of the most prominent figures in Latvian documentary film Ansis Epners (1937–2003) would have celebrated his 85th birthday. National Film Center (NKC) has developed a film selection by the director available for free on filmas.lv.
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