“It’s a festive mood!” – Riga residents and guests celebrate the capital’s birthday / Article / LSM.lv

Not with big mass events, but with exploratory walks and small concerts on Friday, August 14, begins Riga festival. Within three days, you can get to know the capital from the other side – see the places where the movies were made, walk around the labyrinth of flowers or suddenly get to the green ball in the yard itself. –

This year, the holiday is coming to Rigans, and they don’t even have to leave their homes, just open a window or go out on the balcony. Already on the very morning of Friday, there were dancing young people in folk costumes on the streets of Riga. They are members of the dance ensemble “Daiļrade”, which invited to participate in the traveling green ball of the 50th season of the Open-Air Museum Fair, which is one of the events of this year’s Riga Festival.

The green ball of the open-air museum fair will visit the center of Riga, Jugla, Āgenskalns and other places in the city on Friday. It is recognizable both by minibus and by jestra music and dancers.

“I read on the Internet today and came specifically, and I am very satisfied! There is a festive mood! It’s a holiday! ” says Monta, a resident of Riga.

This year, the Riga Festival is celebrated with concerts, exhibitions, sports competitions and environmental events. These include the exhibition in the streets and squares of the city “In this place… years ago”, where those interested can go on an excursion to ancient Riga through ancient photographs. In total, in the center of Riga, such stands are located in 20 places.

During the Riga Festival, people are invited to discover the city themselves – by walking around the places where famous films have been made, looking at the buildings where the history of Latvia has changed, and moving a lot and actively. In skate parks and at sports institutions will have the opportunity to actively prove themselves.

“You don’t need special sportswear or equipment, just a good mood, comfortable shoes and pass obstacles well. Obstacle course and tasks – each task is suitable for anyone, even smaller, ”says Adiļs Maksimovs, the organizer of sports activities.

In general, from Friday to Sunday evening in Riga will take place more than 70 events. They are united by the motto “Walk around the city”. It is with the invitation to take a walk that this holiday is different from the previous ones. The reason can be understood from the ubiquitous restrictions on distance and responsible celebration.

The opening of the Riga Festival will take place with Raimonds Pauls’ gratitude concert “My Riga”, which will be played during the emergency by the medics, social workers, rescuers and other professionals involved. This event will also be available on Latvian Television on Sunday evening.

Consequently, unlike in previous years, when several hundred thousand people attended the Riga Festival, this year the organizers of the festival estimate that their number could fluctuate around 70 thousand.

To reduce the number of people, public transport is not free this time. All activities will also be supervised by security guards. The organizers have the right to stop the event or performance at any time if people forget to distance.

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