https://eng.lsm.lv/ eng.lsm.lv en https://eng.lsm.lv//assets/logo/lsm_hi.png https://eng.lsm.lv/ https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/16.07.2026-new-tourism-brochure-available-for-valmiera-district.a655307/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 16 Jul 2026 12:50:41 GMT 655307 As the tourist season hits its peak, Valmiera district in northern Latvia has prepared a new booklet outlining its active tourism offerings that may be of interest to foreign visitors as it is available in English. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/13.07.2026-latvian-culture-minister-suspends-co-operation-project-with-womens-ngo-network.a654922/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 13 Jul 2026 15:40:00 GMT 654922 Latvian Minister of Culture Nauris Puntulis (National Alliance) has issued an order suspendsing the right of the association "Latvian Women's Non-Governmental Organizations Cooperation Network" to carry out any further financial activities related to a project named "Social Diversity and Intercultural Communication for Professionals Working with Third-Country Nationals." https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/13.07.2026-three-concert-ideas-for-this-week-in-latvia.a654868/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 13 Jul 2026 11:02:00 GMT 654868 LSM's cultural news editor has a few recommendations to ensure you top up your cultural quotient this week as well as your tan. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/10.07.2026-three-for-the-weekend-festivals-abound.a654592/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 10 Jul 2026 06:04:25 GMT 654592 Which festival will you choose for this weekend? https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/07.07.2026-latvian-national-library-allocated-cash-to-make-it-better-as-an-event-venue.a654213/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 07 Jul 2026 14:39:22 GMT 654213 The Cabinet of Ministers on 7th July decided to reallocate 2.2 million euros to the National Library of Latvia to ensure that its infrastructure meets the security, cybersecurity and organisational requirements of the upcoming Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2028. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/07.07.2026-riga-international-film-festival-returns-in-october.a654142/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 07 Jul 2026 09:12:00 GMT 654142 From October 15 to 25, the Rīga International Film Festival (Riga IFF) will take place for the 13th time, with the theme and motto “You Are Here,” the organisers announced on July 7. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/03.07.2026-three-for-the-weekend-hip-hop-meadow-festival-home-cafes.a653766/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 03 Jul 2026 13:42:03 GMT 653766 If you’re in the mood for some lively beats this weekend, or simply want to get out of Rīga, the “Straume/Flow” (unrelated to the animated film) hip-hop festival is taking place on July 3 and 4 at the “Zeit” Creative Quarter in Līgatne. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/26.06.2026-three-for-the-weekend-ballet-and-rock.a652648/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 26 Jun 2026 07:30:00 GMT 652648 Where will your festivalgoer heart lead you this weekend? Wherever that may be, don't forget your sunscreen. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/23.06.2026-midsummer-celebrations-in-riga.a652476/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 23 Jun 2026 07:11:00 GMT 652476 If you have not done the Latvian thing and gone to whatever countryside for the Midsummer celebrations, from 8:00 p.m. on June 23 to 4:30 a.m. on June 24, Rīga residents and visitors are invited to three venues – Grīziņkalns Park, Dzegužkalns, and the Green Theatre in Mežaparks, according to representatives of the Rīga City Council. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/22.06.2026-great-latgalian-market-brought-together-hundreds-this-year.a652410/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 22 Jun 2026 10:48:00 GMT 652410 The Great Latgalian Market has become an important summer tradition in Latgale. To celebrate the summer solstice together, it brings together vendors and visitors from various regions of Latvia every year, Latgale Regional Television reported on June 21. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/19.06.2026-latvian-midsummer-online-film-festival-available-worldwide.a652236/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 19 Jun 2026 12:09:42 GMT 652236 The National Film Center’s filmas.lv portal is hosting its traditional “Midsummer Festival,” which this year is centred on the history of cinema and the music calendar; specifically, 2026 marks more or less 'round number' anniversaries for many well-known Latvian composers who have also written music for great films, and the portal has curated a selection of ten films from the anniversary composers’ filmography. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/19.06.2026-traditional-herb-market-open-in-rigas-old-town.a652230/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 19 Jun 2026 11:39:25 GMT 652230 The traditional Herb Market opened on June 19 in Rīga’s Doma Square, offering everything needed for the colourful and tradition-rich Midsummer celebrations – Midsummer herbs, cheese, beer, and gifts. This year, more than 260 vendors are participating, and the market will be open until 7 p.m. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/17.06.2026-summer-solstice-events-in-latvia.a651802/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 18 Jun 2026 07:33:52 GMT 651802 From peaceful wreath-making to lively outdoor dances – a spectacular program of solstice celebrations is in store across Latvia again this year. To help you navigate the wide range of events, here’s a glimpse into the various festivities. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/17.06.2026-families-encouraged-to-take-fun-day-trips-on-the-train.a651815/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 17 Jun 2026 08:14:47 GMT 651815 This summer, the creators of the animated film Laimīgie (The Happy Ones), are teaming up with the passenger train company “Vivi” and several Latvian cities, to encourage families to use the rail network to enjoy day trips. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/16.06.2026-submissions-open-for-2026-riga-iff-showcase-and-short-riga-test-screenings.a651773/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 16 Jun 2026 21:00:11 GMT 651773 RIGA IFF FORUM (22–25 October), the industry platform of the Riga International Film Festival (RIGA IFF), has opened submissions for the 2026 edition of RIGA IFF SHOWCASE and SHORT RIGA test screenings. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/16.06.2026-latvian-animated-films-head-to-annecy-festival.a651638/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 16 Jun 2026 08:23:15 GMT 651638 From June 21 to 27, France will host one of the world’s largest animation forums, the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, which will also be attended by representatives of Latvia’s animation industry, according to a release from the National Film Centre (NKC). https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/12.06.2026-latvian-actor-pauls-butkevics-passes-away.a651235/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 12 Jun 2026 10:30:37 GMT 651235 Latvian actor Pauls Butkēvičs, who played approximately 150 roles during his film career, has died at the age of 85, announced Marta Bite, the chairwoman of the board of the Latvian Cinematographers' Union, citing information from the actor's relatives.  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/12.06.2026-three-for-the-weekend-rainbows-beer-final-festival.a651215/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 12 Jun 2026 08:49:00 GMT 651215 Festivals galore! What will it be this weekend? https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/09.06.2026-valga-hot-shorts-film-fest-returns-in-july.a650739/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 09 Jun 2026 09:50:54 GMT 650739 The enjoyable Valga Hot Shorts film festival is making a welcome return to the Estonian side of the Valka-Valga twin cities' border, and there's always plenty of Latvian interest in the showcase event, too.  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/05.06.2026-three-for-the-weekend-grand-fair-choir-picnic-daugavpils-festival.a650346/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 05 Jun 2026 14:33:00 GMT 650346 What will you do this weekend? Perhaps try one of these? https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/02.06.2026-staro-riga-light-festival-to-be-made-disability-friendly.a649763/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 02 Jun 2026 11:45:15 GMT 649763 This year, the "Staro Rīga" light festival will become more accessible to people with visual impairments. The association "Socintegra" has received support from the Riga City Council’s Department of Education, Culture, and Sports to implement a project that will adapt one of Latvia’s most popular cultural festivals for the blind, the organisers say. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/29.05.2026-three-for-the-weekend-childrens-day-punk-festival-big-concert.a649254/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 29 May 2026 07:34:30 GMT 649254 Is it summer? It is! Here are a few events to kick it off. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/28.05.2026-baltic-nordic-singing-heritage-route-receives-official-recognition.a647908/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 28 May 2026 09:23:00 GMT 647908 A new tourist route connecting the singing heritage of the Baltic and Nordic countries has received official status at the Council of Europe. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/26.05.2026-latvia-summer-festival-guide-2026.a647739/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 26 May 2026 08:19:00 GMT 647739 As every year, we at LSM have worked hard to collect information about this summer's festival schedule in Latvia. All you have to do is take your pick! https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/22.05.2026-three-for-the-weekend-night-at-the-museum-flower-paintings-and-finnish-zodiac.a648280/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 22 May 2026 08:19:47 GMT 648280 Another weekend is upon us and even if the weather isn't exactly playing ball, there's still more to do than just watching the hockey – though that is always an option.  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/20.05.2026-flow-cat-and-his-friends-return-to-various-spots-in-riga.a647921/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 20 May 2026 06:02:57 GMT 647921 With the start of the active tourist season this week, the characters from the animated film "Flow" are returning to the city, appearing at locations that Rīga residents chose in a special survey conducted last December, according to the Rīga City Council. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/19.05.2026-latvian-museum-night-to-feature-nearly-250-venues.a647731/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 19 May 2026 06:29:00 GMT 647731 International Museum Day is celebrated across Europe on May 18. It has been celebrated in Latvia since 1978, and this year’s Museum Night will take place for the 22nd time on Saturday, May 23, Latvian Television reported. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/15.05.2026-three-for-the-weekend-night-of-churches-veldze-fest-family-day.a647249/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 15 May 2026 08:05:02 GMT 647249 Mid-May typically marks the beginning of summer culture season in Latvia. Here are just a few events to choose from. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/08.05.2026-three-for-the-weekend-scents-cucumbers-legends.a646188/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 08 May 2026 06:59:42 GMT 646188 Don't forget - Sunday, May 10, is Mother's Day in Latvia.  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/05.05.2026-latgale-museums-offer-free-virtual-tours.a645606/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 05 May 2026 05:37:55 GMT 645606 A virtual tour has been developed for nine museums in Latvia's eastern region Latgale, Latvian Radio's Latgale editorial reports on 5th May. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/24.04.2026-three-for-the-weekend-vasks-valka-talka.a644429/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:03:31 GMT 644429 The Spring is officially here – which is something we seem to have been repeating for several months now, perhaps more in hope than true belief. Nevertheless, there can be no clearer indications than some of the things taking place this weekend – despite the possibility of snowfall.  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/22.04.2026-cita-riga-project-wins-european-cultural-heritage-award.a643968/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 22 Apr 2026 05:38:11 GMT 643968 The project "Co-creation of Urban Cultural Heritage with Children" by the association "Cita Rīga" has received the "Europa Nostra" European Cultural Heritage Award, Latvian Radio reported on 21st April. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/17.04.2026-three-for-the-weekend-opera-hike-crafts.a643433/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:27:28 GMT 643433 Spring still seems to be slow this year, but slow and steady wins the race, or, at least, we hope so. Anyway, here is a selection of events for this weekend. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/15.04.2026-opportunity-to-squeeze-your-event-into-liepaja-2027.a642996/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 15 Apr 2026 08:19:34 GMT 642996 Cultural event organisers in Liepāja, South Kurzeme, and Kuldīga are invited to submit their cultural and artistic initiatives to the "Liepāja 2027" open call, offering the opportunity to include their events in the "Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027" programme, according to the "Liepāja 2027 Foundation." https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/14.04.2026-dates-for-next-latvian-song-and-dance-festival-confirmed.a642921/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:55:00 GMT 642921 The XXVIII General Latvian Song and XVIII Dance Festival will take place from June 30th to July 9th, 2028, the government decided on April 14. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/10.04.2026-three-for-the-weekend-dance-greenhouse-pink-noise-exhibition.a642446/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:28:00 GMT 642446 Go ahead and enjoy some of the plentiful event selection this weekend! https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/10.04.2026-dance-days-2026-take-place-in-latvia.a642351/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 10 Apr 2026 06:14:17 GMT 642351 The Choreographers’ Association invites everyone interested to attend the Dance Days events in April and May, the association said in a statement on April 9. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/03.04.2026-easter-events-guide-in-riga.a641634/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 03 Apr 2026 06:46:55 GMT 641634 During Easter, Rīga, as usual, offers a programme of cultural events and festive activities across the city – from concerts in churches and cultural venues to traditional celebrations in parks. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/27.03.2026-three-for-the-weekend-2annas-island-hike-rock.a640692/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 27 Mar 2026 07:14:00 GMT 640692 What will you do this weekend? Perhaps we can tempt you with one of these events? https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/20.03.2026-three-for-the-weekend-spring-is-here.a639700/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 20 Mar 2026 09:20:11 GMT 639700 Spring is here! Rīga knows it. Here are some weekend activities. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/13.03.2026-three-for-the-weekend-first-picnic-of-the-season-footy-is-back-families-in-libraries.a638689/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 13 Mar 2026 09:33:00 GMT 638689 There's no reason to be stuck for something to do in Latvia this weekend. Here are a few suggestions. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/13.03.2026-tributes-to-janis-streics-planned-in-riga.a638727/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 13 Mar 2026 08:50:58 GMT 638727 On Sunday, March 22nd, the Latvian capital will pay a fitting tribute to the recently-deceased outstanding Latvian film and theatre director Jānis Streičs with a day-long screening of some of his finest film in Vērmanes Garden park. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/11.03.2026-latvia-leads-plea-not-to-welcome-russia-back-to-venice-biennale.a638354/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 11 Mar 2026 06:32:00 GMT 638354 In a joint statement, the ministers of culture and foreign affairs of 22 European countries including Latvia call on the organizers of the 61st Venice Biennale international art exhibition to reconsider the participation of the Russian Federation in this year's event, the Latvian Ministry of Culture announced. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/06.03.2026-three-for-the-weekend-ladies-on-stage.a637658/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 06 Mar 2026 07:08:44 GMT 637658 To mark International Women's Day on March 8th, we offer you a selection of ladies-dominated cultural events. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/05.03.2026-director-janis-streics-passes-away-aged-89.a637602/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 05 Mar 2026 15:44:00 GMT 637602 Film and theater director, screenwriter, actor, writer, and painter Jānis Streičs (September 26, 1936 – March 5, 2026) has passed away at the age of 89. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/04.03.2026-nominations-open-for-baltic-assembly-prizes-and-balts-award.a637285/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 04 Mar 2026 06:49:00 GMT 637285 The Baltic Assembly – an umbrella body which unites the parliaments of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania –  invites applicants to submit works to its annual Baltic Assembly Prize competition in literature, art and science by June 1st. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/03.03.2026-latvias-museums-say-they-are-being-buried-by-accounting-bureaucracy.a637109/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 03 Mar 2026 07:30:00 GMT 637109 Despite promises by numerous governments over the years, including the current one, that tackling and reducing bureaucracy is a priority, people working in Latvia's many museums say the situation with regard to red tape and form-filling is often getting worse rather than better,  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/02.03.2026-latvian-national-film-awards-handed-out.a636910/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 02 Mar 2026 05:27:10 GMT 636910 On Sunday, March 1st, Latvia's film industry celebrated its biggest event of the year – the Lielais Kristaps 2025 national film awards ceremony. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/27.02.2026-three-for-the-weekend-classical-music-folk-dance-dreamwave.a636688/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 27 Feb 2026 11:55:22 GMT 636688 For this weekend, we offer you a selection of cultural events of varied genres, all of which promise to be enchanting. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/20.02.2026-three-for-the-weekend-meteni-modernism-and-hip-hop.a635658/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 20 Feb 2026 13:53:00 GMT 635658 Snow and ice may still be on the ground, but winter is NEARLY over – and that has to be a reason to celebrate this weekend!