History
Latvian Television is provding live coverage of one of the key events of Latvia's Inependence Day on November 18 – a ceremony at the iconic Freedom Monument in the heart of Rīga and the heart of the country.
On Saturday, November 18, Latvia celebrates the 105th anniversary of the country's independence, with numerous events taking place throughout the country. Many of these are being shown live on Latvian Television (LTV) and on LSM.
On November 18 at 13:30 local time (11:30 GMT) in Rīga, the traditional military parade dedicated to the 105th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Latvia will be held by the armed forces of Latvia and allies.
Archaeological excavations in Riga's Svētā Jēkaba (Saint Jacob) Cathedral have lasted for five years. During them, amazing scenes and facts were discovered, including a real "bone chamber" or ossuary and several significant burials.
While the largest events connected to Latvia's independence day on November 18 are inevitably found in the capital city, Rīga, the smaller cities and far-flung regions of the country also offer plenty of celebratory opportunities. Here is a selection. It is far from comprehensive, so to find more, check your local municipality's website.
On November 18, Latvians celebrate their independence day in numerous ways with events inside Latvia itself and abroad. Here are some taking place in the capital city, Rīga, and you can expect similar ceremonies, concerts and celebrations in many other towns and cities.
Riga councilors are considering reorienting or moving the writer Vilis Lācis' Monument in Meža Cemetery. Originally the monument was installed with only one purpose – obscuring the view of the monument of the first President of Latvia, Jānis Čakste, Latvian Television reported November 12.
LTV is providing extensive coverage of Latvia's day of remembrance for its fallen soldiers and freedom fighters, with one of the highlights being the traditional lighting of candles at the walls of Rīga Castle. You can see what it looks like in the video below.
For several years, the exhibition of the Museum of Occupation in the former KGB building or 'corner house' has been one of the most popular foreign tourist attractions. But the museum occupies only a small part of the building. The rest is empty and requires urgent work at the moment – if not, the museum might face closure, Latvian Television's 'Culture News' reported November 9.
One of Rīga's most distinctive and appreciated architects is the subject of a new exhibition opening November 9 at the Rīga Jugendstila Centrs (Riga Art Nouveau Center) museum.
Preparatory work for the start of the renovation of historic Rudbārži Manor have taken longer than originally expected, so its use as a military academy by the Colonel Oskars Kalpaks Vocational High School could only start in September 2026, reports Latvian Radio.
In anticipation of Lāčplēsis Day, a fire was lit in the square outside the Latvian War Museum on Monday, November 6, to commemorate the War of Independence.
The darkest time of the year in Latvia is also the time of the festival of light and freedom. The Museum of the Occupation of Latvia invites the public to light up the dark 'corner house' and commemorate those who once sacrificed freedom on behalf of Latvia by donating a flashlight that will be placed in the windows of the building from November 11 to 18.
Members of the public are being invited to attach a familiar red-white-ribbon to their clothing in November, for what is sometimes dubbed 'Patriot Month'.
Latvia's numerous castles, palaces and manor houses are the places to go this weekend as they throw their doors open for the annual 'Legends Night' event.
Riga will dismantle the bust of Soviet time scientist Mstislav Keldysh by Riga Canal opposite the main building of the University of Latvia, Rīga City Council (RD) decided on Wednesday, October 18.
Latvia's northern neighbor, Estonia, is in the process of joining Latvia, Lithuania and Poland by referring to Russia's Baltic exclave of 'Kaliningrad' by one of its older names.
In case you didn't know it – and you could be forgiven for not knowing it, as it's not particularly widely known – September 22 is Baltic Unity Day.
At Riga International Airport, a replica of the I-12 plane built by the legendary Latvian aircraft constructor Kārlis Irbītis, designed in 1937, has been unveiled, Latvian Television reported on August 30.
The Latvian city of Kuldīga will be watching the news from Saudi Arabia keenly in September, reports Latvian Radio.
Exactly a year ago, on August 25, 2022, the central object of the Soviet 'Victory' monument complex – the huge obelisk – was toppled in Rīga, Uzvaras Park, after a lot of debate what to do with it.
A shipwreck tha excited historians in 2021 when it was unexpactedly revealed by the Baltic Sea provided a rare opportunity for researchers – but eventually had to be reburied because Latvia has no capacity for preserving such finds, according to archaeologist Jānis Meinerts, speaking on Latvian Radio.
This year, the Great Cemetery in Rīga turns 250 years old, refocusing attention on the immense cultural and historical significance of the place, as well as its unique architectural content, reports Latvian Radio.
August 23, 2023 marks 34 years since the historical Baltic Way, also known as the Baltic chain - a human chain weaving through all three Baltic States on August 23, 1989.
August 23 will mark the European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Totalitarian Regimes, proclaimed by the European Parliament in 2008.
The Latvian War Museum has received a testimony of the Russian war in Ukraine – a Russian army's unmanned aircraft “Orlan-10”, which was neutralized by Ukrainian defenders. This drone is the first exhibit that describes the era of drone wars in Latvian museums, Latvian Television reported on August 8.
The pleasant town of Limbaži celebrates its 800th anniversary this weekend, with a long list of celebratory events planned to mark the occasion.
Many people associate the word 'archaeology' with an image of people armed with a trowel and a brush standing in an excavation trench, patiently unearthing historical evidence layer by layer. However, in addition to this, there is also another type of research – experimental archeology – which involves making artefacts and testing techniques in order to better understand the technologies of the past.
The Latvian National Archive (LNA) has not developed a system to ensure the reception and storage of electronic documents the State Audit Office (Valsts Kontrole, VK) reported on July 27.
During the celebration of Valmiera's 740th birthday, July 20 to 23, a new exhibition, named in the old name of Valmiera –de Woldemer – will be viewed free of charge in the area of Valmiera's castle, said the organizers.
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