THE SONG AND DANCE CELEBRATION 2018

THE SONG AND DANCE CELEBRATION 2018

Date:30 June to 8 July 2018

Place: Riga, Latvia

 

Tickets – https://www.dziesmusvetki.lv/en/tickets/

 

Today is a big day for song … Fanfares will play! And the flags of the Song and Dance Celebrations of 1873 and 2018 will fly, divided and united by 145 years. But the feelings are unchanging-pride in our people, our country, our traditions. Even through the most difficult periods of history, the Latvian people have come together, united in our joy of music, song, and dance. The Song and Dance Celebration-an unforgettable amatuer artisitc phenomenon with a century-and-a-half of tradition.

 

The XXVI Latvian Song and XVI Dance Celebration 2018
The XXVI Latvian Song and XVI Dance Celebration will take place in Riga from 30 June to 8 July 2018 in the spirit of the Latvian Centenary. The Celebration week is the culmination of what the organisers—the Latvian National Center for Culture—and the amateur ensembles have been preparing for since the XXV Latvian Song and XV Dance Celebration.

During Celebration week, Riga will host 40 000 participants from 118 Latvian municipalities, and from many other countries where Latvians continue to uphold and develop the traditions of the Song and Dance Celebration. For seven days they will take part in more than 54 events—choirs, dance ensembles, brass bands, kokle players, folk musicians, vocal ensembles, folklore ensembles, and others will perform in various events, the Latvian folk costume exhibition, the Latvian applied art exhibition, and amateur theatre performances. 500 000 celebration-goers (roughly ¼ of the Latvian population—1,96 million) will be able to attend (ticketed and free) events.

The Main Events
The XXVI Latvian Song and XVI Dance Celebration will open on 1 July 2018 with the traditional sacred music concert at the Riga Cathedral, followed by the Celebration Procession throughout the streets of Riga. Participants showing off their rich folk costumes will walk a route that takes several hours through the streets of Riga. The procession will conclude with a special opening event dedicated to the participants.

The most anticipated events are the great dance performance Māra’s Country and the closing concert Following the Starry Path. Approximately 17 000 dancers in the Daugava Stadium will tell the rich history of Latvia through music, energy, movement, rhythm, color, and the patterns created by the steps of their folk dances.

Celebration week culminates in the closing concert Following the Starry Path, in which the voices of 12 000 singers on the Mežaparks Open-air Stage will enchant their listeners in three hour concert of the most outstanding Latvian professional choral music. As the prepared concert ends, audience members will be invited to add their voices, and the Nighttime Sing-along will continue until sunrise.

The Venues
The Song and Dance Celebration will take place throughout the city of Riga. The venues will be transformed with special scenographic solutions, ambitious stages will be built, and large screens will be set up in urban areas so that audiences can fully enjoy the Celebrations. The main choir and dance events will be held at the historical venues—the Mežaparks Open-air Stage and the Daugava Stadium. Both venues are currently undergoing reconstruction so that they will be ready to receive both participants and spectators of the Song and Dance Celebration in their new forms in 2018.

 

More info  and Text & Photos – www.dziesmusvetki.lv

Sigulda Restaurant Week (2017, April)

Restourant week

24.04.2017 – 30.04.2017

Sigulda Restaurant Week, guests are invited to enjoy three-course meals from a selection of nine restaurants in Sigulda and the surrounding area. Each restaurant will offer meal sets for two prices – 15 and 20 euros.

Five Sigulda restaurants will be welcoming food lovers throughout the week – Aparjods, Garšas Frekvence, Fazenda, Sigulda and Gadalaiki, as well as another four restaurants in the surrounding area – Kungu Rija, Bīriņi Palace Restaurant, Mālpils Manor Restaurant, and Rāmkalni Restaurant.

The meal offers at the restaurants will be published on Sigulda social-networks and by the restaurants themselves from April 18. We kindly recommend those who wish to enjoy a meal at one of the participating Sigulda Restaurant Week restaurants to book a table ahead of time.

Text & Photos – http://www.rigagauja.lv/en/9230-sigulda-restaurant-week-1

 

Spring Equinox events in urban environment

Spring Equinox event

Everybody is invited to mark the Spring Equinox on Sunday, March 19, with a sunrise ceremony at 6:00-8:00 a.m. in Arkadija Park. During the event, participants will wash face in the Marupite river. Sunrise ceremony with songs, willow and birch twigs, swings and other rituals to ensure fertility, health and beauty.

To create the right mood for the event, take willow-catkins, budding birch twigs, colorful yarn ribbons to decorate the swings, and, of course, painted Easter eggs as offerings for swings, fortune telling, competition, eating, presents, treats.

From 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. Spring Equinox celebration at Livi Square.

Celebration of Spring Equinox with decorating swings and swinging, Easter songs, painting eggs, egg battles and games, dances.

The event is organized by the Latvian Folklore Society, traditionally with participation of Riga folklore groups.

Text & photos – https://www.liveriga.com

Riga Street Food Festival (winter)

Street food Riga
Kaļķu / Vaļņu iela, Rīga
Date: 14.01.2017
Time: 14:00 – 20:00

Riga Street Food Festival (winter)

Riga’s top chefs have risen to the challenge to create their own versions of Latvian gastronomic masterpieces in the blistering cold. Meals prepared will highlight the wide range of Riga-Guja region winter produce, encompassing both the primeval and the contemporary.

In 2017, the Riga-Gauja region will bear the honorary title of European Region of Gastronomy.

Dzintars Kristovskis, chef of Valmiermuiža embassy in Riga and the Riga-Gauja region ambassador: “European Region of Gastronomy is about returning to the roots – back to the produce and raw materials that we’ve hailed, respected and consumed for centuries, that have grown right here, behind the city walls – in our bountiful forests, meadows, fields, rivers and lakes.”

Text & Photos – www.latvia.travel/en

 

Tallinn Christmas Market (December – January)

Tallinn_christmas_market

Dates: 18th Nov 2016 – 07. Jan 2017
Open every day 10:00 – 19:00
Hot Christmas drinks till 23:00
Christmas program On Fridays 17:00 – 19:00
On Saturdays and Sundays 12:00 – 14:00

Tallinn Christmas Market on the Town Hall Square is to open this Friday, 18 November, at 16:55

For many years residents and guests of Tallinn are enchanted by the annual Tallinn Christmas Market. It is a true fairy-tale land – there is a tall Christmas tree on the historic town square surrounded by little houses shining with lights that sell Christmas delicacies and folk craft products. Children will be happy to see merry-go-rounds and Santa Claus, the main stage will feature hundreds of singers and dancers performing, and amazing aromas of gingerbread and mulled wine will spread all over the square. Tallinn Christmas Market is recognized as one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe by many foreign media, including CNN, Elle UK and Vogue Italia.

This year the opening ceremony of the Christmas Market will take place on 18 November at 16:55. The speech at the opening ceremony will be delivered by the Elder of the City Center Alar Nääme. (NB! After the opening ceremony journalists will be able to interview the speaker!)

Tallinn Christmas Market will be open from 18 November 2016 until 7 January 2017, daily from 10:00 to 19:00.

Each year Tallinn Christmas Market changes a little. This year Christmas lights decorating the square are replaced with new ones. Their warm light makes the market even more cozy than before. The Christmas tree this year is especially rich and beautiful, with many new decorations: new LED lights as well as red and gold Christmas baubles of different sizes. The stage is decorated with over 600 Christmas stars. There will be over 40,000 lights lit for the Christmas Market on the Town Hall Square. This is a great way to celebrate 575 years since the first Christmas tree was displayed in Tallinn (and probably in the world, too) – in 1441 it was brought to the Town Hall Square by members of the Brotherhood of Blackheads.

Traditionally, the Tallinn Christmas Market offers a wide selection of gifts and delicacies, most of which are made in Estonia.

Here you can also have a meal and various refreshments. Selection is large: from well-known Christmas dishes, such as sauerkraut and blood sausages, to fish and duck. Hot and heating drinks are offered by many sellers on Sun.-Thu. until 22:00 and on Fri. and Sat. until 23:00.

Visitors will enjoy the cultural program on Fridays and Saturdays from 17:00 to 19:00 and on Sundays from 12:00 to 14:00. Explore the schedule at www.ChristmasMarket.ee. This year approximately 1,700 artists will perform on the Town Hall Square stage: folk dance groups Sõleke and Viisuveeretajad, folk dance groups of Märt Agu Tallinn Dance Academy, the nine-time winner of school dance competitions Carolina dance studio, the winner of Estonian Golden Cup and high awards on European and World Championships Free Flow dance club, and many other.

On the New Year’s Eve there will be a special program featuring performances by the Latin dance group Pantrid, cabaret group Dance Wonderland with their special Moulin Rouge program and La La Ladies band.

On Sundays advent candles will be lit. On the First Advent, on 27 November at 14:10 everyone will be greeted by Provost of Tallinn Jaan Tamsalu and Tallinn Vice-Mayor Taavi Aas. Church choirs will perform.

Santa Claus can be found in his house, where every day from 12:00 to 18:00 children will be able to read him poems and ask for Christmas gifts. The best poem readers will receive sweets!

Tallinn Christmas Market welcomes everyone to the Town Hall Square to participate in Christmas celebration!

 

CULTURAL PROGRAMME

 

FRIDAY, 18.11.2016
16:55 Opening ceremony of the Christmas Market 2016/2017. Opening speech by the Elder of Tallinn City Center Alar Nääme
17:00 Folk dance groups of Tallinn Dance Academy
17:45 Carolina Dance Studio
18:30 Folk Dance Group Viisuveeretajad
18:55 Artists of Mystical Fire Show

SATURDAY, 19.11.2016
16:00 Folk Dance Group Kiilitar ja Kiili Keerulised
16:45 Dance Troupe Alhambra
17:30 Irish Dance Troupe Solas
18:15 Free Flow Dance Studio

SUNDAY, 20.11.2016
12:00 Dance Troupe Mustad Kassid
12:45 Dance Ensemble Sõleke (Tallinn Hobby Center Kullo)
13:30 Dancing Girls of Tallinn University / Kalev and Dancing Kids from Tallinn Järveotsa Upper Secondary School

FRIDAY, 25.11.2016
17:00 Tantsugeen Dance Studio
17:45 Dance Troupe Kõku
18:30 AS-SA Dance Society

SATURDAY, 26.11.2016
16:00 Dance Studio Black & White Dance
16:30 Pelgulinna Community Center Folk Dance Group Pelgulinna Memmed
16:45 Dance Ensemble Kullaketrajad
17:30 Dance Troupe Asmarah
18:15 Folklore Society Leigarid

SUNDAY, 27.11.2016
I ADVENT
12:00 Santa’s arrival
12:15 Dance Club Koit
12:30 Folk Dance Group Kuu
14:00 Choirs of St. John’s Church, St. Kaarli Congregation, the Holy Ghost Church, Bethel Congregation, Dome Cathedral Congregation, Nõmme Rahu Congregation, Viimsi Congregation and the German Congregation of Tallinn Deanery
14:10 Greetings from Tallinn Vice-Mayor Taavi Aas and Provost of Tallinn Jaan Tamsalu. First Advent candle is lit on the Christmas tree.

FRIDAY, 2.12.2016
17:00 V.A.T Stuudio Dance Studio
17:45 Students of the Fine Arts Class of Tallinn Rahumäe Basic School
18:15 Dance troupe Up With People
18:30 Latin Dance Group Pantrid

SATURDAY, 3.12.2016
15:00 Theatre Festival Muinasjutt
16:00 Folk Dance Group Tantsusarvikud
16:45 Desiree Dance Studio
17:00 Dance Group Kolga Lainerid
17:30 Järva-Jaani dance groups Jürid-Marid, Tuttuued naised and Ei me ette tea. Vocals by Janeli Ait

SUNDAY, 4.12.2016
II ADVENT
12:00 Handbell Studio Kellaring
12:45 Folk Dance Society Pääsuke – I mixed group and a younger female group
13:30 Dance Troupe Modus
13:50 Christmas greetings by the pastor of Tallinn Methodist Church Joel Aulis
14:00 The pastor of Tallinn Methodist Church Joel Aulis lights the second Advent candle. Music by Matri Joosua and Karl Saamuel Hollman

FRIDAY, 9.12.2016
16:30 Tallinn Hobby Center Kullo KT Stuudio
17:00 Folk Dance Society Pääsuke II mixed group and II female group
17:30 Free Flow Dance Studio

SATURDAY, 10.12.2016
16:00 Mixed folk dance group Tammed ja Toomed and female group Harku Harakad
16:45 Dance studio of Nõmme Youth Center
17:30 Dance Troupe Happy Feet Sakust ning Kate & Lana
17:45 Dance Studio The Art of Dance

SUNDAY, 11.12.2016
III ADVENT
12:00 Tallinn City Transport Brass Band, conductors R.Sild, A.Avarand, T.Kaljuver
12:45 Folk Dance Group Tuisuline
13:30 Song Studio Minimuusikal, students of 5th-9th forms
13:50 Christmas greetings by the pastor of Toompea Congregation of Estonian Christian Pentecostal Church Ivo Unt. Music by Anneli Rand, Tobias Rannut and Ahti Lohk
14:00 The pastor of Toompea Congregation of Estonian Christian Pentecostal Church Ivo Unt lights the third Advent candle

FRIDAY, 16.12.2016
16:30 Song Studio Minimuusikal, students of 1st-3rd forms
17:00 Tallinn Hobby Center Kullo KT Stuudio
17:30 Dance Ensemble Sõleke (Tallinn Hobby Center Kullo)

SATURDAY, 17.12.2016
16:00 Latin Dance Group Pantrid
16:10 Irish Dance Troupe Solas
16:45 Tantsugeen Dance Studio
17:30 Dance Club Rosa Verde

SUNDAY, 18.12.2016
IV ADVENT
12:00 Siki Dance Studio
12:45 Taisi Singing Kids
13:40 Miina, Marta, Paula ja Uku Madis
13:50 Christmas greetings by the pastor of Tallinn St. Olaf’s Church Ülo Niinemägi. Songs by intra-congregation children chorus Juhhei, conductors Varje Soon and Annika Soon
14:00 The pastor of Tallinn St. Olaf’s Church Ülo Niinemägi lights the fourth Advent candle

FRIDAY, 23.12.2016
12:00 Christmas concert by Heli Song Studio
13:10 Karjamaa Basic School Group Võluflööt and Tallinn Kadaka Basic School

SATURDAY, 24.12.2016
CHRISTMAS EVE
12:00 Mayor of Tallinn announces Christmas peace

SUNDAY, 25.12.2016
12:00 Girl Group of the English College and folk dance group Leesikad of the French Lyceum
12:45 GAG 385 LIVE – Talented students of Gustav Adolf upper secondary school

FRIDAY, 30.12.2016
17:00 Kristiina Kalle, Valeria Nikolajeva, Maia Grjaboi and Inna Litvin
17:45 Dance Troupe Isar Dance
18:30 Dance Club Rosa Verde

SATURDAY, 31.12.2016
NEW YEAR’S EVE
22:00 Latin Dance Group
22:30 Girl Band La La Ladies
23:30 Cabaret Troupe Dance Wonderland “Moulin Rouge”
0:00 HAPPY NEW YEAR!
0:20 Girl Band La La Ladies
01.00 Festive music by DJ Aivar Havi
The program hosted by Santa Claus Äffy

FRIDAY, 6.01.2017
16:00 Dance Troupe Modus
16:45 Performance of Bõliina Ensemble
17:30 V.A.T Stuudio Dance Studio
18:15 Roosi II female group of Riisipere Community Center
18:30 Folk Dance Group Soveldaja

SATURDAY, 7.01.2017
16:00 Folk dancers of Saku municipality
16:45 Dance Troupe Red Roses
17:30 Performance of Juri Zaljubovski
18:15 Dancing performance of mixed group Vöör ja Ahter and female group of the Estonian Maritime Administration
18:45 Artists of Mystical Fire Show

 

Text & photos  – http://www.christmasmarket.ee/eng/

Old Riga Christmas Fair (December & January)

Old Riga Christmas fair

Dome Square26.11.2016 – 06.01.2017

Christmas is approaching, and one of the signs testifying to this is the Old Town Christmas Fair with sweet-smelling mulled wine, roasted almonds, glittering glazed gingerbread and local handcraft. Visitors will have a chance to find their Christmas miracle here every day. Various concerts and workshops are on the programme, with Santa Claus entertaining kids and adults alike.

All those loving delicious food will be delighted at the traditional treats – mulled wine, gingerbread, roasted almonds, Christmas tea and coffee, as well as delicious smoked meats and meat products. The fair will also offer a wide range of Latvian handcraft for Christmas gifts – patterned mittens, skillfully turned wooden candlesticks, jarred sunny-smelling Latvian honey, sweet-smelling wax candles, handmade warm socks, hats and scarfs, amber and silver jewellery, ecological wooden toys and rag bears…

Along with food and handcraft, you will have an opportunity to learn more about various Latvian traditions, for example, log dragging and traditional Christmas cooking. Latvian Christmas songs and world-known melodies will be performed by pop music bands and traditional ensembles.

27.11. – 17.00 Lighting of the Christmas tree and opening of the Christmas Market
Performances by children’s vocal ensemble Momo of the VEF Culture Palace, singer Andris Ērglis; songs from the musical performance Father Christmas Glove will be sung by Samanta Tīna and Atis Auzāns. Story-teller: Jānis Skanis.

02.12. – 17.30 – 19.30 DJ Toms Grēviņš;

03.12. – 13.00 – 14.00 Dita Belicka’s Trio;
14.30 – 15.30 Post-folk band Dziit;
16.00 – 18.00 Riga Folk dance Club;
Between the performances fun and games together with Dwarfs;

04.12. – 14.30 – 15.30 Rūta Dūduma and Jānis Ķirsis;
16.00 – 17.00 Leila Alijeva’s Duo;
17.30 – 18.00 Theatre studio Laiva with a Christmas performance;
Between the performances fun and games together with Dwarfs

09.12. – 17.30 – 19.30 DJ Toms Grēviņš;

10.12. – 13:00 – 14:30 Latvian Traditional music band Tautumeitas;
15:00 – 16:00 Tuba and euphonium artists performance. Host: Māris Grigalis;
16.30 – 17.30 Music by group The Coco`nuts;
Between the performances fun and games together with Dwarfs;

11.12. – 09.00 – 13.00 Santa’s Fun Run and Walk;
13.00 – 14.30 Alise Kante & Edijs Šnipke;
15.00 – 16.45 Post-folk group Dārdi;
17.15 – 18.00 Music by Mazie Meža Dīvainīši (MmD);
Between the performances fun and games together with Dwarfs

16.12. – 17.30 – 19.30 DJ Egons Reiters;

17.12. – 13.00 – 14.00 University of Latvia folk dance group Dandari;
14.30 – 15.30 Post-folk band Dziit;
16.00 – 18.00 Dancers from Riga Folk dance Club;
Between the performances fun and games together with Dwarfs

18.12. – 12.00 -12.30 Children’s pop group Brīnumiņš;
13.00 – 13.30 Children’s vocal ensemble Asniņi;
14.00 – 15.45 Iveta Marija Gaile’s Trio;
16.15 – 18.00 Music by group Pieneņu Vīns;
Between the performances fun and games together with Dwarfs;

20.12. –  Winter Solstice
17.00 Riga folk group Lāns;
17.45 Līvāni folk group Ceiruleits;
18.30 Celebration of Latvian Traditional Christmas;
Dragging of the Yule log – stop in the Dome Square;

23.12. – 17.30 – 19.30 DJ Ketija Šēnberga;

24.12. – 13.30 – 14.30 Dixieland band Sunny Groove Dixie;
15.00 – 15.30 Mixed Choir of the Latvian Academy of Culture Sōla;
Between the performances fun and games together with Dwarfs;

25.12. – 13.30 – 14.30 La Petite Paris & Diāna Pīrāgs;
15.00 – 16.00 Jolanta Gulbe-Paškeviča, Deniss Paškevičs and Āris Ozols;
Between the performances fun and games together with Dwarfs;

26.12 13.30 – 14.30 Jazz-funk band Very Cool People and Kristīne Prauliņa;
15.00 – 16.45 Post-folk group Rikši;
Between the performances fun and games together with Dwarfs

30.12. – 17.30 – 19.30 DJ Artis Volfs;

31.12. – 19.00 – 20.00 Dixieland band Sunny Groove Dixie;
20.30 – 22.30 Rock and roll band The Swamp Shakers;
22.30 – 2.00 DJ Toms Grēviņš;

06.01. – 17.30 – 19.15 Mārtiņš Balodis, Jānis Līde and Normans Bārbals;

07.01. – 14.00 – 15.00 Folk group Iļjinskaja Pjatņica;
15.30 – 17.00 Folk group Berendejka;

SANTA’S HOUSE will be open:
On Fridays, 27, 28, 29 and 30 December from 14.00 to 20.00
On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 12.00 to 18.00

Visit the FIRE HOUSE on Saturdays and Sundays from 13.00 to 18.00 to try some very special culinary surprises

On weekends and holidays enjoy a pony ride

Text & photo – LiveRiga.com

2016 November – Staro Rīga Light Festival

StaroRiga -light festival

Staro Rīga Light Festival (17-20 November)

Staro Rīga offers an international programme of light and multimedia installations. Buildings, squares, bridges and monuments turn into unique pieces of light art, supplemented by performance art and musical and theatrical elements. This year’s festival will be unique with its multitude of interactive objects that function only with the help of personal participation. Festival creators encourages us to ponder the following: “light is in all of us, we ourselves are light. I myself am that which can see how light rises, I can see positive things and spread light all around me.

42 objects are included in this year’s festival and are mainly situated in Old Town and the city’s central areas. The festival takes place from the 17th to 20th November and, responding to festival visitors’ suggestions, it will begin one hour earlier at 17:00; objects will be viewable until 23:00.

Text – LiveRiga.com

Lāčplēsis day & Proclamation Day (November)

Lacpelesa day - 11 November

11th of November – Lāčplēsis Day

On November 11 every year, Latvia lights up numerous candles to commemorate the Latvian army’s victory over the West Russian Volunteer Army led by general Pavel Bermont-Avalov on November 11, 1919. On this day Latvia honours Latvian Freedom Fighters.

18 November — Proclamation Day of the Republic of Latvia

The Independence of Latvia was proclaimed on 18 November 1918 at the Latvian National Theatre. This day in Latvia is a public holiday — public institutions and the majority of private enterprises are closed, various events take place throughout the day.

Text – LiveRiga

Photo – Google.com

2016 October – Autumn Riga Restaurant week

restourant week

Riga Restaurant Week (10-16 October)

During this special week, Riga’s restaurants open their doors to all gourmands willing to treat themselves to an array of delicious flavors for an especially affordable price of 15–20 euros in a three-course meal. For the entire week, local residents and guests have the chance to savor the season’s best foods prepared by experienced and innovative chefs who give each meal a modern and sophisticated twist.

 

List & menus are here: http://www.liveriga.com/en/7981

Source & photo – http://www.liveriga.com/en/7979-riga-restaurant-week-1

This weekend – NESTE WORLD RX OF LATVIA (1-2 October)

RX worldrallycross championship latvia

NESTE WORLD RX OF LATVIA*

This weekend on October 1 and 2, Latvia will host a round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship (World RX). This will be a historic weekend as it will mark the first time a world championship event is taking place in Latvia. Neste World RX of Latvia is set to take place very close to the centre of the capital city of Riga, in the legendary Biķernieki Sports Complex, where a new, state-of-the-art rallycross track will be built in accordance with FIA regulations.

Two very talented Latvians – Reinis Nitišs and Jānis Baumanis – will also take part in the race, along with the very best rallycross drivers on the planet, to provide the spectators with a thrilling battle for the win.

erif fonts, you should increase the leading up to 135-140% for easier line to line eye transition.

Pick one font and use it for all body text in the entire magazine.

 

Photo -Raimonds Volonts