The chairman of the Riga City Council Vilnis Ķirsis (JV) noted that in November in the city environment, in cooperation with the National Armed Forces (NBS) and the National Guard, there will be a special presentation with the theme “My Latvia, my responsibility”. “I call on everyone to understand that Latvia is our common responsibility, and we must hold it every day, and we must fight for it every day,” said ķirsis.
The Deputy Chairman of the Riga City Council Edvards Ratnieks (NA/LRA) stated that on November 11 at 6:30 p.m. in Victory Park the Latvian flag will be ceremoniously raised, while at 7 p.m. the concert “Calling across the Daugava” will take place, in which “Melo-M”, “Auļi” will perform “, “National girl”. After that, the concert program “Listen to the blizzard of souls” is scheduled, in which Jānis Šipkēvics, Linda Leen, Goran Gora, “Sudden Lights” of the band “Cosmos” and others will take part.
The importance of the archers’ songs will also be brought up in the concert, they will be arranged by the musician Reinis Sējāns, Ratnieks pointed out. At the same time, during the concert intervals, the stories of the freedom fighters spoken by the actors will be shown on the screens.
On November 11, a commemorative event is planned in Sudrabkalnin, where the wind ensemble of the NBS headquarters will perform.
On the other hand, at 16:00, the traditional torchlight procession with the motto “The spirit of freedom fighters through all time” will begin at the Brethren’s cemetery. The procession will also reach the Freedom Monument, where there will also be an event, but after that a fire raft will be lowered into the Daugava, informed Šmite.
Also, on November 11, a concert by the “Riga” orchestra will take place in the Riga Cathedral. In the Park of Culture Palace “Ziemeļblāzma” there will also be an event dedicated to Lāčplēš Day, but Riga St. The concert of the choir “Rīgas balsis” will take place in St. John’s church.
On the other hand, on November 18, the central event will be a concert on the Freedom Square, which will be dedicated to the 106th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Latvia. The concert will start at 7 p.m. Such artists as Ginta Krievkalnas, Greta Grantiņa, Andris Ārglis, actor Raimonds Celms and others will take part in it. The State President Edgars Rinkēvičs will also deliver a speech.
From 9 p.m., a light show, a laser show, which will be possible to watch ten times during the evening, until 11 p.m., informed Šmite.
Also, on November 18, various events are planned in the surroundings, for example, at 2 p.m. in the Kokaru Hall of the Mežaparka Grand Stage, you will be able to see the feature film “The Earth that Sings”, at 3 p.m. in the VEF Culture Palace, there will be a concert “Latvijas sanku pikalbas”, in the Culture Palace “Ziemeļblāzma” at At 18 there will be a concert of the group “Carnival youth”. Also, at 4 p.m., the concert “I walked through the silver grove” is scheduled in the hall of the Ķengarag Music and Art School. On the other hand, at 5 p.m., the Latvian War Museum will host a concert “National Song for Latvia”.
At the same time, Ķirsis informed that on November 18, a solemn meeting of the Riga City Council will take place, where the “Rīdzian of the Year” will be announced, whose appointment will begin on Thursday, October 31.
Also, from November 15 to November 18, the light festival “Staro Rīga” will take place in the capital every evening from 17:00 to 23:00. The motto of the festival, as stated by the author and curator of the light festival idea Diāna Čivle, will be “To be together in the light”.
The light objects will be located on both banks of the Daugava at this year’s festival. There will be 25 facilities on the route from Brīvības Square to Arkadija Park.
On the other hand, Uzvaras Park will feature installations by young artists from the Latvian Academy of Arts and the Latvian Academy of Culture – ten objects, which, as Čivle pointed out, will be creative experiments. The festival will also feature two light objects created by foreign artists.
Chivle noted that the festival is sustainably minded, that is, thinking about how the art installations will “continue their life”, adapt to other festivals, and also give a “second life” to objects previously exhibited in the urban environment.
Interview Between Time.news Editor and History and Culture Expert, Dr. Liene Dambrova
Time.news Editor: Good morning, Dr. Dambrova! It’s a pleasure to have you with us today. With Latvia celebrating its 106th anniversary of the Republic’s proclamation this month, I wanted to discuss the significance of the upcoming events and the theme “My Latvia, my responsibility” put forth by Chairman Vilnis Ķirsis. What are your thoughts on this?
Dr. Liene Dambrova: Good morning! Thank you for having me. The theme “My Latvia, my responsibility” resonates deeply, especially during a time when national identity and pride become paramount. It calls on each citizen to partake in the nation’s journey, recognizing that every action contributes to Latvia’s future. This kind of civic engagement is crucial, especially now as Latvia navigates various challenges.
Time.news Editor: Absolutely! There seems to be a rich program laid out for November 11, from the ceremonial raising of the Latvian flag in Victory Park to the concert “Calling across the Daugava.” How do such events foster a sense of community and national pride?
Dr. Dambrova: Events like these are core to maintaining and celebrating national identity. The ceremonial aspects, especially raising the flag, represent unity. Music has a unique power to evoke emotions and memories. When you combine performed pieces that highlight our history with narratives of freedom fighters, as planned during the concert, it forms a bridge connecting generations. It instills a collective memory and pride, which is essential for any nation.
Time.news Editor: It seems like the concert will feature various artistic performances, including songs that celebrate Latvia’s archer heritage. Why do you think incorporating cultural history into celebrations is important?
Dr. Dambrova: This inclusion is crucial as it brings alive our historical narratives. The archers symbolize resilience and bravery, key traits in Latvia’s history. By celebrating these cultural aspects through music and storytelling, we ensure that the younger generations remain aware of their heritage. It cultivates respect and continuity, which are vital for fostering national pride.
Time.news Editor: Intriguingly, I noticed that there will be a torchlight procession with the motto “The spirit of freedom fighters through all time.” How do you interpret this focus on historical remembrance?
Dr. Dambrova: The torchlight procession is a powerful symbol. Fire speaks to the spirit and memory of those who fought for Latvia’s freedom. Highlighting light in darkness evokes hope and remembrance. It affirms that the sacrifices of those before us should always illuminate our current path. This intergenerational connection reinforces our cultural fabric.
Time.news Editor: Looking ahead to November 18, the 106th anniversary celebrations include not just concerts but a variety of events across the city. Do you think such a diverse program appeals to all demographics within Latvia?
Dr. Dambrova: Definitely! A varied slate of events allows inclusivity, ensuring that people of all ages and interests can find something to engage with. Whether it’s a film screening, music concert, or historical reflection at the Latvian War Museum, it creates multiple touchpoints for connection. This encourages broader participation, which strengthens our communal bonds.
Time.news Editor: with Latvia’s ongoing evolution as a nation, what do you see as the most vital aspect of these celebrations for its citizens today?
Dr. Dambrova: I believe the most vital aspect is fostering a sense of unity and shared responsibility among citizens. While we honor our past, it’s also an opportunity to inspire collective action for the future. Engaging with our history prompts reflection on who we are and who we wish to become—a crucial conversation as we navigate our modern reality.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Dambrova, for sharing your insights today! Your perspectives on cultural engagement during this significant time in Latvia’s history are invaluable.
Dr. Dambrova: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to see how these events will unfold and how they will inspire both reflection and action in our communities.