Riga will celebrate Independence Day with a wide cultural program / Article

Cultural events

The celebrations dedicated to the 34th anniversary of the restoration of the independence of the Republic of Latvia will begin on May 4 from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. with a solemn flower-laying ceremony at the Freedom monument, while from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. a parade program of Latvian school brass bands will be held in the Freedom Square on the day of the restoration of the independence of the Republic of Latvia.

Meanwhile, from 12:00 to 18:00, creative workshops for the whole family will take place in Arkadija Park and Latgale Park – “Create a green Latvia!”. Visitors will be able to assume the roles of foresters and gardeners, plant a tree or flowers in a pot, which will later be transplanted into their garden, backyard or forest. Participation in the workshop is free. On the other hand, Latvian school brass bands will perform in both parks from 15:00 to 16:00.

The creative workshop “Create a green Latvia!” will also be held in Vērmanes garden from 13.00 to 17.00, entertainment will also be provided by the musical program for children “Tu esi Latvija” and other creative workshops for the whole family. During the event, you can participate in various creative workshops in Vērmanes garden – together with illustrator and comic artist Rebeka Lukošus, you can create your own White Tablecloth story, make your own flag or badge about blooming Latvia, paint flower pots or cloth bags. The musical program consists of the children’s vocal ensembles “Podziňa”, “Kolibri”, “Momo”, “Knīpas u Knauķi”, “Poppy”, “Dzeguzīte” and the musical association “BikiGRUPA”. The event will be hosted by actor Rihards Zeleznev.

On the other hand, from 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., the May 4th Latvian Film Marathon will take place in the “Splendid Palace” cinema.

From 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the annual campaign “Put on national costume in honor of Latvia!” will take place in Rātslaukum, Old Riga. and the festive concert “Different roads”. The gathering for the procession of folk costumes through the districts will take place in Rātslaukum starting from 12.30, and at 13.00 the opening of the festival will be held together with the group of folklore and ancient battles “Vilkači”. From 1:20 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., a festive procession will take place on the route Kalķu iela–Brīvības laukums, and flowers will be laid at the Brīvības monument from 2:00 p.m. to 2:40 p.m. On this holiday, everyone is invited to wear a national costume in honor of Latvia.

At 3:00 p.m., the festive concert “Different roads” will begin in the Town Hall Square. The concert will feature soloists: Aija Vītoliņa, Atis Auzāns, Dagnis Roziņš, Katō, Mārtiņš Kanters, Raimonds Celms, Samanta Tīna, instrumental group: Artūrs Sebris (saxophone), Dairis Petrauskis (drums), Edgars Jass (keyboards), Gatis Priekulis (guitar ), Maria Vasilieva (accordion), Roland Stepanov (bass guitar). Musical producer – Uldis Timma. On the other hand, from 17.00 to 18.00 there will be a concert by the group “Laimas muzykanti”, from 18.00 to 19.00 the concert by the group “Jauno Jāņu orķestris”, and from 19.00 to 20.00 the concert by the group “Raxtu raxti”. The program will be hosted by Raimonds Celms, directed by Sandis Kalniņš. It will also be possible to watch the festive concerts online.

Meanwhile, at 4:00 p.m., the National Day concert “Latvijas Tautumeitas” will be held in the cultural palace “Ziemeļblāzma”, where the ethno-pop music group “Tautumeitas” will perform. Invitations will be available at “Bilešu paradīze” ticket offices from April 29.

On the other hand, at 16.00 in the cultural center “Mazā gilde” there will be a concert of youth choir “Voices for Latvija”, in which the singer Ieva Parša and the instrumental ensemble will also take part.

At 18.00, the concert “Sounds (from) Latvia” will be played at VEF Palace of Culture. Orchestra “Rīga”, conductor Valdis Butāns, actress Guna Zariņa, concert manager Signe Lagzdiņa will take part in the concert. Free invitations from April 27 at the “Bilešu paradīze” box office.

The program includes compositions by contemporary Latvian composers, dedicated to the splendor of Latvia’s nature, the memory of prominent personalities, as well as patriotic feelings towards one’s homeland.

At 19.00 in the cultural center “Imanta” the concert program “German. Ziedonis. Jakovlevs” will take place. There will be poetry readings performed by Įrts Jakovlėvas, and music by Katrīna Paula Felsberga (voice), Agnese Egliņa (piano). In the concert program we will hear poetry and Latvian vocal chamber music with the words of our outstanding poets Imantas Ziedoņš and Ojārs Vācieš.

The municipality also invites you to view the exhibition “Gown of Honor” in the windows of the cultural center “Mazā gilde” until May 10.

From May 1st at 10:00 a.m. to May 6th at 11:00 p.m., the documentary films “Esplanade” and “People’s Poet Rainis” of the folk cinema studio “Gilde” will be shown on the “Maza gilde” social network “Facebook” and “YouTube” accounts of the culture center.

Environmental objects in the city

As usual in May, the city will be decorated with a design dedicated to the 34th anniversary of the restoration of the independence of the Republic of Latvia – red and white flags on street lighting poles, catenary supports, masts, flag structures and design structures, as well as specially designed design objects will be on display.

Three environmental art objects will be on display in the urban environment. In the forecourt of the Ågenskalns market, the environmental design object “Radiation”, inspired by the symbols of the sun and light, will be on display. In Uzvaras Park, the object “Svetku kraogs” will be on display, the visual solution of which was created under the influence of Latvian signs, where the triangle is a heavenly sign that symbolically protects Latvia. that is, the flag, and the wooden slats, painted according to the colors of the flag, equipped with chains, weave links with the ornaments of the folk costumes and their flags. On the other hand, Riga residents and city guests will be delighted by the “Latvija” environmental object in Dome Square, where you can capture yourself, your loved ones and friends with the name of Latvia in a photo.

Also, from May 4 at 10:00 a.m. at the Freedom Monument, everyone will be able to participate in the creation of the annual object “Flowers Latvia”, filling the outline of the map of Latvia with spring flowers, symbolically beautifying and welcoming Latvia on holidays.

Since 2009, “Ziedu Latvija” has become a sought-after and integral part of the holiday, one of the symbols of May 4 in Riga. The large-format installation symbolically represents Latvia as a meadow filled with flowers by its inhabitants, creating a gorgeous and blooming composition. “Flower Latvia” will also be available on May 5 and 6.

On the other hand, until May 31, Uzvara Park will host a conceptual campaign – the environmental object “Democratic Square”. The environmental installation created by Erik Bož illustrates a democratic and inclusive society, reveals how, looking from different points of view, we can see the overall picture of an object or process. The environmental object was created with the participation of residents.