On warm late summer day, 5 September, Food Union, Latvia’s leading dairy company, unveiled a remarkable street art work - a 134-meter-long mural dedicated to the legendary ice cream brand Pols and its upcoming 55th anniversary. The mural was created as Food Union’s gift to Riga, its residents and guests, to inspire, delight and become a new, vibrant landmark in the cityscape.
The mural was created by six Latvian street artists – both renowned names and rising stars: Miķelis Mūrnieks, Dainis Rudens (Rudens Stencil), Bikti, Skrūve, Uman, and Erska. Each contributed their own style, together forming a layered story about Pols – about childhood taste, summer joy, and a brand that has united generations for more than half a century. The mural spans Jānis Čakste Avenue, leading towards the Southern Bridge, right next to Food Union’s main production site Rīgas piena kombināts at 180 Bauskas Street. With its panoramic scale, it is set to become a striking new landmark in Riga’s street art and cultural landscape.
Artūrs Čirjevskis, CEO of Food Union Europe and Latvia: “Through the Pols mural we want to express our gratitude not only to Riga, but to the whole of Latvia - to everyone who has cherished this brand for almost 55 years. The mural is more than just an impressive visual work; it is a symbol of Pols as a brand that brings generations together and keeps moving forward while remaining true to its values”.
The largest painting – always on time
The central and largest artwork (6m high, 34m wide) was created by Miķelis Mūrnieks in a bright and playful street art style, using 2D flat color blocks, bold contrasts and a comic-inspired visual language. At its center, the Pols logostands out prominently, symbolizing the brand’s enduring presence and motto “Always on time”. Around it, people enjoying ice cream and summer scenes create a sense of freedom and joy.
A special accent is the crow holding an ice cream, playfully hinting that behind the fence not only Pols is made, but also other beloved Latvian treats, including Kārums dairy-free curd snacks.
The longest painting – a collective creation
Along the 100-meter-long concrete wall, under the guidance of Dainis Rudens, four additional murals were created, forming a rich, multi-voiced story about Pols:
- Uman depicted polar bears and penguins in an almost mythological composition – a nod to the Pols symbol, the bear.
- Skrūve presented the most narrative-driven piece – polar bears in everyday and playful scenes, reminding us that Pols is present in all seasons and moods.
- Erska created a vibrant mix of animals – from polar bears to hippos and sharks – contrasting the North and South to show Pols as a global adventure.
- Bikti combined Pols product imagery with animals – ice creams on sticks, in cones and cookies meet playful penguins and bears. A woman’s figure also appears – open to interpretation as either winter or a cool Latvian summer.
Ģirts Liniņš, Pols Brand Manager: “Pols has always been more than just ice cream – it is the flavour code of our childhood summers, passed down from hand to hand, from generation to generation. With this mural we wanted to show that Pols is as alive and fresh today as it was back in 1971, when the first ice cream on a stick was made. It is a greeting to our shared past and future memories - and also an invitation to find space in everyday life for small joys that make it brighter. Because Pols is – and always will be – right on time”.
Pols history and assortment
For more than half a century, Pols has been one of Latvia’s most loved and purchased ice creams. Its story began in 1971, when the first Pols Classic (Pols Klasiskais) on a stick was created at the specially built four-storey ice cream factory on Bauskas street 180, in the Rīgas piena kombināts. Made from high-quality milk and coated with chocolate glaze, it has stayed true to its original recipe and its legendary polar bear symbol – to this day.
Pols was also the first industrially produced ice cream brand in Latvia. Today, all varieties are still produced at the modernized factory in Riga, which has become Food Union’s Ice Cream Development and Production Competence Centre for Europe.
Today, Pols boldly and openly keeps up with the times – preserving the joy of childhood taste while also creating new, exciting products. The assortment includes a wide range of consumer favourites: Pols in crispy waffle cups, in cups with a big hat and large cones, Pols between cookies and in bar format, the vegan Pols” and of course, the iconic ice creams on a stick.
About Food Union in Latvia
Food Union is the leading producer and distributor of fresh dairy products and ice cream in Latvia. The Food Union group in Latvia consists of Rīgas piena kombināts, Valmieras piens and Premia FFL. The company’s portfolio includes historical and widely recognized brands such as Kārums, Limbažu piens, Valmiera, Lakto, Pols, Ekselence, and TIO. Since 2019, Riga has been the Group’s Ice Cream Competence Centre, developing over 100 new ice cream varieties annually for the European market. As of January 2024, PAG Private Equity is the majority shareholder of Food Union Europe, including Food Union Latvia. More information: www.foodunion.lv
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