A festival celebrating the finer things in life

  • 2016-05-05
  • Michael Mustillo

There may definitely be a paradigm shift happening as the whole concept of festivals becomes increasingly  holistic. The first inaugural Nordic Star lifestyle festival, which was launched in Riga from April 27 to 30, staged Fine Life, Fine Wine, Fine Dining, and Fine Design events throughout Riga.
“We have been overwhelmed with the support which we received for our first festival,” said Sarmite Cinovska, the organiser of the Nordic Star lifestyle festival.
“In 2017 we intend to make the festival bigger with the staging of more quality events. We will again also include lifestyle events in Jurmala, the Baltic’s northern Riviera.”
Jurmala was a fine lifestyle destination, and one of the Nordic Star festival partners.
‘‘It  is quite  unique that it has many things to offer as a fine lifestyle destination. Many say that Jurmala as a resort town is the pearl of the Baltic’s, and in the springtime with all the sunlight it’s so beneficial for one’s mood to visit, ’’ said Cinovska.

The Nordic Star lifestyle festival saw the participation of a number of leading Latvian chefs who offered Fine Dining menus prepared especially for the festival.
Chefs Kristaps Silis (KID), Ainars Volodka (Kolonade), Kaspars Jansons (Muusu),
Sergejs Siporovs (Le Dome), and Normunds Saiters (Vest) presented exquisite “Modern Riga” menus.
“It has been a pleasure and delight to work with all these outstanding Latvian chefs,” said Cinovska.
“Latvian chefs are world class. Kaspars Jansons trained at some of the world’s best restaurants; the world’s best restaurant of 2014 and three Michelin star restaurant Noma (Copenhagen), three Michelin star restaurant Braiersbronn (Germany), and two Michelin star restaurant La Table de Gourmet (Alsace, France).”
“It has been a year since his return back to Latvia. So all the Nordic Star lifestyle team have been delighted to have had him participating in the festival,” she added.
“A series of masterclasses, covering wealth management, global trends of wine production, and contemporary restaurant wine lists were also held and well attended,” said Cinovska.

The festival concluded with a Let the Good Times Roll black tie jazz ball held in Riga’s Grand Palace Hotel. The evening’s musical entertainment was provided by the charismatic vocalist Daumants Kalnins, and Aija Vitolina.
The ball was attended by a number of Latvian dignitaries, including former Latvian prime minister Valdis Birkavs, the Italian Ambassador Sebastiano Fulci, and renowned London based Latvian designer Ginta Siceva, whose original designs, distinguished by their floral motif lace-like style, were on exhibit during the ball.
Siceva has worked for well-established fashion houses, such as Alexander McQueen and Robinson & Valentine, and is known internationally for designing and creating magnificent evening bags and a variety of accessories, such as scarves, shoes, gloves, headpieces, and necklaces.

Her accessories have been featured in Universal Pictures 2010 romantic comedy “The Knot,” giving the gowns worn by the bride and the bridesmaids a special elegance and charm.