Riga readies for another extravaganza

The month of August is usually full of festivals being held in the Latvian capital, and this year is no exception. The culmination of the summer festival season will once again be the annual Riga City Festival.

From Aug. 9 - 11, the first street art and world music festival “RE RE Riga!” will gather over 20 collectives of artists, or approximately 100 participants from 12 different countries. For three days the festival will delight city guests and residents with modern circus performances, world music, as well as dance and street theater.

On Aug. 17 and 18, the vintage and classic car show “Riga Retro” will ride into town once again, which gathers classic automobile enthusiasts from all over the world to the delight of city residents. Over 100 different classic automobiles will ride the city streets during the car show, which has become very popular among city residents and guests. The main event is the annual car parade through the streets of Riga, which begins at the Bikernieki Sports Center and goes to Spilve Airport through the city center.

Meanwhile, on Aug. 18, on one of Riga’s most beautiful streets - Alberta Street - visitors will be able to go back in time 100 years to celebrate the Art Nouveau festival called “100 years ago on Alberta Street.”
Only once a year does Alberta Street go back in time 100 years to Riga’s Art Nouveau period, where elegant gentlemen and ladies are dressed in clothing from that time, the local newsboy reads the latest news, police are patrolling the streets and the local street sweeper is making sure the walkway is as clean as a whistle.

Everyone will be able to meet the famous Art Nouveau architect Konstantins Peksens, listen to street musicians, go on an elegant walk, or learn new skills from that period. Culinary treats will also be available, and vendors will be selling various interesting items.

Finally, this year’s annual Riga City Festival will take place from Aug. 16 to 18 and will offer city residents and guests the opportunity to participate and attend various concerts events taking place throughout the city.
The festival’s events will be held in various venues, concert halls, squares, museums and parks throughout the city. Several events will also take place on the water and in the air.

The biggest celebrations and events usually take place on the banks of the Daugava River by Riga’s Old Town, as well as in Vermanes Park in the center Riga. However, various other events during the Riga City Festival will take place in different suburbs as well.

Among the events of particular note is the “Bi-2” concert with the National Symphony Orchestra on Aug. 16 at Arena Riga, and the international antique automobile parade on the riverside, “Riga Retro 2013,” on Aug. 17. On the same day, also on the riverside, choreographer Lita Beiris will present her new dance production “Heart Strings” (“Dveseles Stigas”) with music composed by Maestro Raimonds Pauls. Later on, the popular French street theater troupe “Transe Express” will also perform.

On Aug. 18, the events will be highlighted by the world-famous musical comedy-cabaret string quartet “MozARTGroup” from Poland.

These are just a handful of the many imaginative and attractive events organizers have scheduled.
Capping the festival, as is tradition, will be a spectacular fireworks display above the river near Akmens Bridge.

Riga City Festival
Aug. 16 – 18
More information on the program can be found at:
www.rigassvetki.lv