On 18 November 1918 the People’s Council of Latvia declared Latvian Independence in what is now the Latvian National Theatre. Today we celebrate Latvia’s State Centenary with friends and family, in city streets and squares, in Latvia and everywhere around the world.
Wear a pair of colourful mittens on 18 November | Latvia in Mittens
CELEBRATION PROGRAMME IN RIGA 17 NOVEMBER
17:00 - 23:00 STARO RĪGA 2018. FESTIVAL OF LIGHT | Riga (16–19 November)
A beautiful variety of ‘luminism’, or light art, will be on display in light ‘sculptures’ installed in Riga’s parks and public squares, and on illuminated building facades. Artists from Latvia, Portugal, France, Germany, Norway and the Netherlands will be reflecting on the theme - ‘Augšām cēlās gaismas pils!’ [Up rose the Castle of Light!].
FREE OF CHARGE
18:00 - 20:00 MULTIMEDIA DANCE PERFORMANCE: ABAS MALAS [BOTH SIDES] (dress rehearsal) | Arena Riga, Skanstes iela 21
Music, dance, and modern technology meet in this inspirational performance, giving onlookers the opportunity to experience the Latvian State Centenary as never before. Each element of visual expression - choreography, scenography, lighting, camera work, and projections - come together as an artistic whole. The performance is a both personal experience and a hundred-year-old story about the Latvian people, and about the land and the Daugava, the river of time that flows in its veins and arteries. More than 450 dancers - ballet, contemporary, and folk - will perform on a specially created 2000 m2 projection stage.
18 NOVEMBER
08:11 - 08:45 MORNING SALUTE TO LATVIA | Freedom Square and Dzegužkalns
Traditional musical event, an invitation to begin Latvia’s birthday together, to raise the Latvian Flag, sing the Latvian Anthem and and join in wishing Latvia ‘saules mūžu’ or long life.
9:00 - 10:00 ECUMENICAL CHURCH SERVICE | Riga Cathedral, broadcast live on LTV 1 and Latvijas Radio 1
10:00 - 12:00 HONORING THE FREEDOM GUARD | By the Freedom Monument
On Latvia’s birthday, members of the Defence Cadet Force will be standing watch as Honour Guards for Latvia’s Freedom Monuments in Rīga, Jelgava, Cēsis, Liepāja, and Valka, to show that the next generation is ready to create the future. Citizens in Latvia and around the world are invited to visit memorials honouring those who participated in the Latvian War for Independence, and who have stood guard for Latvia in various times throughout the state’s history.
11:00 - 11:45 THE CELEBRATORY SAEIMA SITTING | LTV 1 and Latvijas Radio 1 live broadcast from the Latvian National Theatre
11:00 - 17:00 LATVIAN AND ALLIED MILITARY TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT EXHIBITION | In the Public Square near the Riga Passenger Terminal, Eksporta iela 3A
11:00 - 19:00 THE 100th ANNIVERSARY OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA AT THE NATIONAL HISTORY MUSEUM OF LATVIA | National History Museum of Latvia, Brīvības bulvāris 32 (free entry)
11:00–19:00 Virziens: neatkarīga valsts [Direction: Independent State] a look into the events leading to the foundation of Latvia. Take a tour of the exhibition Latvijas gadsimts [The Latvian Century] with a historian as your guide (every hour)
11:00–19:00 photo project Iemūžini sevi Latvijas gadsimtā [Immortalise Yourself in the Latvian Century]
12:00, 14:00, 16:00 activities for children
12:00 - 17:00 CELEBRATION CONCERTS | Riga Congress Centre, Riga Latvian Society House, Latvian Railway History Museum, Iļģuciems Culture Centre, Ziemeļblāzma Culture Centre, VEF Culture Palace, St. Peter’s Church, University of Latvia, Small Guild Hall
12:45 - 13:30 FLOWER LAYING CEREMONY | At the Freedom Monument
14:00 - 15:30 THE MILITARY PARADE OF THE LATVIAN NATIONAL ARMED FORCES | 11. novembra krastmala, broadcast live on LTV 1 and Latvijas Radio 1
16:30 - 17:30 CELEBRATION CONCERT ORGANISED BY THE LATVIAN PRESIDENT | LTV 1 and Latvijas Radio 1 live broadcast from the Latvian National Theatre
17:00 - 23:00 STARO RĪGA 2018. FESTIVAL OF LIGHT | Riga (16–19 November)
A beautiful variety of ‘luminism’, or light art, will be on display in light ‘sculptures’ installed in Riga’s parks and public squares, and on illuminated building facades. Artists from Latvia, Portugal, France, Germany, Norway and the Netherlands will be reflecting on the theme - ‘Augšām cēlās gaismas pils!’ [Up rose the Castle of Light!].
FREE OF CHARGE
18:00 - 20:00 MULTIMEDIA DANCE PERFORMANCE: ABAS MALAS [BOTH SIDES] | Arena Riga, Skanstes iela 21
Music, dance, and modern technology meet in this inspirational performance, giving onlookers the opportunity to experience the Latvian State Centenary as never before. Each element of visual expression - choreography, scenography, lighting, camera work, and projections - come together as an artistic whole. The performance is a both personal experience and a hundred-year-old story about the Latvian people, and about the land and the Daugava, the river of time that flows in its veins and arteries. More than 450 dancers - ballet, contemporary, and folk - will perform on a specially created 2000 m2 projection stage.
18:45 - 20:00 CEREMONIAL MUSICAL EVENT: 18.11 | By the Freedom Monument, on screens on 11. novembra krastmala, broadcast live on LTV 1 and Latvijas Radio 1
A multimedia story about freedom, where the main ‘storyteller’ is the Freedom Monument - Latvia’s symbol of freedom. We are used to seeing it before our eyes without giving a thought to the message sculpted into stone by Kārlis Zāle - from foundational values and ideals to freedom and excellence. At the base of the monument we see the Latvian Riflemen, the song festival, work, family, science; higher up we see mythical characters and the longings of the people - those who free us from our shackles, Lāčplēsis, Vaidelotis, and Latvia. The idea in each sculptural group - familiar to the Latvian people - will be complemented by specially developed video material and light installations.
20:00 THE OFFICIAL SPEECH OF RAIMONDS VĒJONIS, THE PRESIDENT OF LATVIA | By the Freedom Monument, broadcast live on LTV 1 and Latvijas Radio 1
20:10 - 21:00 CONCERT: DAUGAV’ ABAS MALAS [BOTH SIDES OF THE DAUGAVA] | 11. novembra krastmala
The Riga Orchestra, led by conductor Valdis Butāns and Riga Men’s Choir director Ivars Cinkuss, will perform beloved and popular Latvian songs.
21:00 - 21:02 SINGING OF THE LATVIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM DIEVS, SVĒTĪ LATVIJU! [GOD BLESS LATVIA] | 11. novembra krastmala, on screens in Freedom Square, broadcast live on LTV 1 and Latvijas Radio 1
Latvian citizens and friends around the world are invited to join in the singing of the Latvian National Anthem.
21:02 - 21:20 LIGHT PERFORMANCE: SAULES MŪŽS [THE LIFE OF THE SUN] | 11. novembra krastmala, the Daugava Water Basin between Vanšu Bridge and Akmens Bridge, on screens in Freedom Square, broadcast live on LTV 1 and Latvijas Radio 1
The central character in this performance of light is the Sun. The performance tells the story of the time from the creation of the Latvian State to the present day, ending with colourful fireworks and an affirmation of Latvia’s future and belief in the Latvian people and in each Latvian citizen. The visual identity of the performance is created by rays of light illuminating the Daugava river between Vanšu Bridge and Akmens Bridge; the visual effects include Latvian symbols of power on the AB Dambis, choreographed pyrotechnics, unexpected light surprises, and an illuminated silhouette of Riga. The musical accompaniment was specially developed for the performance, incorporating melodies that the Latvian people find meaningful and can sing along with - including Latvian folk songs, choir pieces, familiar intonations, original compositions and fragments of various works that characterise different time periods from Latvia’s history.
22:00 - 23:00 CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERTS IN THE CHURCHES AND CONCERT HALLS OF VECRĪGA [RIGA OLD TOWN] | St. Mary Magdalene Church, Zirgu iela Concert Hall, St. Saviour’s Anglican Church, Riga History and Navigation Museum, Great Guild Hall, St. John’s Church, Riga Cathedral, Reformation Church, St. Peter’s Church
The Latvian National Symphony Orchestra presents chamber music concerts in Old Riga churches and concert halls to everyone who would enjoy an hour of unusual serenity in the company of beautiful music and superb musicians shortly after the magnificent light show of Latvia's centenary celebration.
22:30 - 24:00 CONCERT PERFORMANCE: DZIMŠANAS DIENAS NAKTS [THE BIRTHDAY NIGHT] | Latvian National Theatre, Kronvalda bulvāris 2
A real birthday celebration with live music performed by a wind instrument ensemble and performances by actors from the Latvian National Theatre. The guiding theme- what Latvia, in all its regional splendour and seasonal beauty, means to each of us. Director Jānis Vimba, scenographer Reinis Suhanovs.
22:00 - 05:00 CENTENARY CLUB NIGHT | Clubs and music venues in Riga and elsewhere in Latvia
Continuing the tradition begun on Latvia’s 90th birthday, clubs and other entertainment venues in Latvia and abroad are invited to play only homegrown Latvian music. The radio station Pieci.lv is actively contributing to preparations—each weekday evening Latvian music from different eras is played on the Pilnīgs simts [A Full Hundred] radio programme.
19 NOVEMBER
17:00 - 23:00 STARO RĪGA 2018. FESTIVAL OF LIGHT | Riga (16–19 November)
A beautiful variety of ‘luminism’, or light art, will be on display in light ‘sculptures’ installed in Riga’s parks and public squares, and on illuminated building facades. Artists from Latvia, Portugal, France, Germany, Norway and the Netherlands will be reflecting on the theme - ‘Augšām cēlās gaismas pils!’ [Up rose the Castle of Light!].
FREE OF CHARGE
18:00 - 20:00 MULTIMEDIA DANCE PERFORMANCE: ABAS MALAS [BOTH SIDES] | Arena Riga, Skanstes iela 21
Music, dance, and modern technology meet in this inspirational performance, giving onlookers the opportunity to experience the Latvian State Centenary as never before. Each element of visual expression - choreography, scenography, lighting, camera work, and projections - come together as an artistic whole. The performance is a both personal experience and a hundred-year-old story about the Latvian people, and about the land and the Daugava, the river of time that flows in its veins and arteries. More than 450 dancers - ballet, contemporary, and folk - will perform on a specially created 2000 m2 projection stage.
18:30 - 20:00 FIRST CONCERT OF THE NEXT CENTENARY: MĪLESTĪBAS VĀRDĀ. 18+ [IN THE NAME OF LOVE. 18+] | Public square next to the National Library of Latvia, Mūkusalas iela 3, Riga
Eighteen beloved songs in brand new arrangements will be performed by young Latvian musicians on a specially built wooden open-air stage. The audience will hear soul-baring love letters that will ignite a feeling of togetherness to spite the wind and cold weather characteristic of our nation’s birthday.
FREE ENTRY