To see the others, to show oneself

RIGA - The storm passed by the Latvian ethnographic open-air museum on Aug. 5, barely sprinkling the participants and visitors of the "Made in Baltia 2000" exhibition from the sun-lit sky, and rolled, roaring with thunder, eastward. Dancing, beer drinking, food tasting, and some serious selling efforts continued undisturbed.

The first annual exhibition for Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian businesses was organized by advertising agency NRJ.

"Many of our clients expressed interest in working more closely with companies from the neighboring countries, having an opportunity to show them what is done in Latvia, and see what our neighbors are doing," said project manager Daiga Eglava.

The fair attracted 89 participants, including one company from Estonia and one from Lithuania. Latvian food producers and breweries were represented most broadly, and their products were in high demand among the visitors.

The organizers hope to draw more representatives from outside Latvia, extending the list of participants not only to the immediate Baltic neighbors, but also to the other countries of the Baltic Sea region.

NRJ has seen interest from Swedish and Finnish producers and hopes that the success of the first exhibition will ensure an even greater success of the ones to follow.

NRJ is satisfied with the results of their first fair, which attracted more visitors than was expected. Both sides of Brivibas Street were lined with cars long before and after the museum entrance.

Although the open-air museum was chosen for a reason - to draw parallels between the centuries and lure in both tourists and Latvian families - a different venue will have to be found next year.

"We will need more space, to be more accessible, and have more available parking," Eglava said smiling happily.

The entertaining program, consisting of folk and pop group performances, was also translated into sign language.