The opening event of the festival “Satikšanas” will take place on May 16 in the “Tintnīca” room of the Museum of Literature and Music, where the family of Gunar Saliņa from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean will perform with a concert: Gunar and Jautrīte’s daughters Laila Saliņa (mezzo-soprano, director) and Lalita Saliņa (flautist), as well as the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Gunnar’s brother, Aleksandar Saliņš: Ieva Šmite (pianist), Gundega Šmite (composer) and Ieva’s daughter, Sonja Misiņa (percussionist). This evening will feature poetry, songs and reminiscences from the time of the “Hell Hook” in New York.
On May 17, the Latvian National Art Museum will host the conference “Gunars Saliņš and Elles Ľeķis”, which is organized by the Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art of the Lithuanian University in cooperation with the Latvian National Art Museum.
On May 18, the festival will visit Drusti with a special program to participate in the opening of the 2024 season of the open-air art space “Savvaļa” (“The Hellcat opens Savvaļa”) with the participation of contemporary Latvian poets and young artists.
“Sun Games in Vecpiebalga” is scheduled for May 19, where the opening program of Mudīte Austrina’s selection of works “Sun Games” (LU LFMI, 2024) will take place in Vecpiebalga.
Family folk festival “Taka”
When? on May 18
Where? In the New Tale
During the Riga Family Month, on May 18, the first family folk festival “Taka” will be held in Jauna Teika, connecting the traditional world with the contemporary urban environment.
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At the climax of the festival in the multifunctional center “Fantadroms” there will be a big concert “Where I called, there it sounded!”, but throughout the day in concerts on the “Fountain Stage” you will hear such ethno music treasures as “Garataka”, “Vilkači”, “Grodi”, “Banga” “, “Suitu sievas”, Ansis Bētiņš and Artūrs Čukurs, “Dārdi”, Upīte folklore group, Nila Īle’s ethnopercussion group “ZemeDunn” and others.
During the festival, there will also be a market, in six activity tents you will be able to “try on” wedding and christening rituals, get practical tips and songs for celebrating St. John’s Day, learn dances, try a musical instrument, and indulge yourself in a mind games tournament. The youngest will have the opportunity to participate in the lessons of the baby school.
More about the festival facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557943636780
“Feast of the May Count”
When? on May 18
Where? Ziedondarz, Riga
“Maija Grāfa svetki” is one of the oldest Riga festivals and traditionally offers many entertaining and educational activities for children and young people.
During the day, guests will be able to enjoy a rich concert program, many educational and entertaining events, participants’ procession through the streets of Riga, exploratory quests, a medieval fair and, of course, the winner of the knights’ tournament will receive the title “Maija Grāfs 2024”.
Free attractions, fun relays and competitions, creative workshops, a bubble show and a circus corner are planned for the little participants. Children between the ages of 8 and 17 will be able to participate in the Knights of Roland tournament for free, and the winners will receive prizes. The festival will end with the fire show “Mavka”, based on a Ukrainian folk tale.
More about the festival at maijagrafs.lv
“Walpurgis”
When? on May 24
Where? Latvian Academy of Culture
The music and art festival “Walpurgi” is reborn for the seventeenth time. This year, the festival will delight visitors with new modernity and multimedia, preserving the usual tradition.
The musical repertoire will be enriched by representatives of alternative music genres such as “Martas asinis”, Katie Bärbale, “Tante Gaida”, “Kapelmeistars Group”, Elizabete Balčus, “Zvīņas”, “Platona chest”, Darta Kruze, “Eklektika”, “The Tunes” , “On the tip of the tongue” and others.
The artistic program will consist of student performances, installations and the constant Walpurgis Night bonfire ritual.
More info facebook.com/events/953765099129337
“Hippie and Punk Festival”
When? on June 1
Where? Lastadija, Riga
As every year, there will be a great musical program with several musicians. In the program Katie Barbale, “Rudra Beat”, “Druhumurs”, “Sinful Partisans”, “Depustutes”.
The concert starts at 6 p.m.
Entry to the event for a voluntary donation for musicians.
More about the event at facebook.com/events/327100920157698.
Tags: Festivals Latvia summer entertainment recreational events varied tastes
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