From Aug. 16-21, Riga celebrates its annual city festival. Events to mark the occasion will take place all week throughout the city. To help you navigate your way through the festival, TBT staff has put together a program highlighting some shows we think should be particularly interesting.
RIGA FESTIVAL'S FAIR
Thu 18 's Sun 21 -
10:00 's 20:00
In Esplanade Park
Craftsmen and merchants from all around, frantic buying and selling, samples and demonstrations by craftsmen, singing and fun, honey, herbal tea, and other treats from the Latvian countryside.
WORLD MUSIC STAGE
Thu 18 's Sun 21 's
Musicians from Europe, Africa, and South America.
Cultural Palace "Ziemelblazma", Vecmilgravis,
Ziemelblazmas Street 36
Transportation from the city center:
by train to Ziemelblazma station;
by bus: # 2, 24, and 24A to Rimkas Street (from Abrenes Street);
"VISIONS OF RIGA"
AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL
Thu 18 's Sun 21 's
In and around Riga
Air balloons have delighted people of all ages, and the appearance of air balloons in the sky has always been cause for celebration.
Locations: Dome Square, the 11 November Embankment, the AB Pier, Zakusala, Uzvara Park and other parks throughout Riga.
THE "WHITE NIGHTS" BIRTHDAY FESTIVAL
Thu 18 's 10:30 's 00:00 's
The VEF Cultural Palace celebrates its 45th anniversary. Everyone is invited to participate in the birthday celebration.
VEF Culture Palace, Ropazu Street 2.
Transportation from the city center:
by bus: # 1, 16, 21, 40;
by trolley bus: # 4, 7, 13, 14, 17;
trams: # 3, 6
ANTONIO VIVALDI'S OPERA "OTTONE IN VILLA"
Fri 19 's Sat 20 's
At the Latvian National Theater
An opera created by Antonio Vivaldi, one of the world's most popular masters of instrumental music. Kronvalda Boulevard 2
Transportation:
by tram # 5, 7, 9
"WHITE NIGHTS"
FESTIVAL NIGHT.
VINYL. FILMS
Fri 19 's 22:00 's 03:00 's
At Riga Congress Hall
Music, photo exhibitions and Latvian documentary films
FALLEN
FROM THE SKY
Fri 19 's Sat 20 's 21:30 's
At Mezaparks
The flying acrobat performance "Fallen from the Sky" by the French 's Brazilian circus "Circo Da Madrugada"
Transportation:
by tram 's # 11, 8;
by bus 's # 48, 24, 11, 9, 2
AVE SOL RALLY 2005
Fri 19 's Sat 20 's
In the Old Town
The idea of the "Ave Sol Rally" is to call attention to driving and the observance of traffic regulations by involving leading companies and well-known Latvian celebrities.
RIGA STREETBALL OPEN
Sat 20 's 11:00 's 17:00 's
At Mezaparks
First International Street Basketball Tournament between the Baltics and Nordic Countries
RIGA CAR 's
TOON RALLY 2005
Sat 20 's 11:00 's 14:00 's
On 11 Novembra Krastmala
Fun-filled competition with homemade vehicles run by human muscle power.
LATVIAN OPEN
STRONGMAN
CHAMPIONSHIPS
Sat 20 's 13:00 's 15:00 's
On 11 Novembra Krastmala
A strongman competition is not just weight lifting, but an all-around test of strength in which men with superhuman strength and endurance compete.
