How is May 1st celebrated in Riga? Firstly, today is a nice sunny day and we can say with confidence that spring has begun! Secondly, it is a public holiday and international labor day. The city is immersed in the sun and spring freshness, a lot of Riga residents are celebrating May on the streets..

People in Riga are generally happy, friendly and smiling. There are a lot of young people, random passers-by, listening to music, playing streetball and just relaxing. There are also a lot of tourists, especially in Old Riga, it’s almost crowded!

The entire city center is simply replete with flags.

Latvian government building.

Dome Square is immersed in the rays of the sun.

Short-term actions were held in Riga in honor of May Day. In the park in 1905 there was a rally of socialists and a trade union party gathered at the Freedom Monument.

Young people play streetball on the sports ground.

But here, in the park of 1905, the Children’s Playground is full of people.

Here and there you come across couples of Riga residents in love.

Today is also the day of running and cycling marathons!

And finally, I’ll tell you a little story. I met a refugee on the streets of the old city, he looked like he was from the Middle East, he spoke from Syria, and we got into conversation.

I say, “From May 1st!”
And he said to me: “What is this?”
Me: "International Workers' Day ( Labor day), a public holiday, here (I gesture with my hand towards the flags), the flags are hanging."
Refugee: “Oh, I thought they only celebrated this in Germany.”

According to the folk calendar, the year in Latvia is divided into four parts, the culmination of each of which is its own holiday, associated with the solstice or equinox. Winter - Christmas, spring - Easter, summer - Ligo and Midsummer, autumn - Apyumibas.

The main holiday of the year is Ligo. In fact, it consists of two holidays: Ligo (Līgo, June 23) and Midsummer's Day (Jāņu diena, June 24). Both days are public holidays, and the cities of Latvia practically die out at this time - everyone rushes to nature. Although according to the church calendar the summer solstice coincides with St. Ivan, the Latvian holiday of Ligo remained completely pagan. On Ligo it is customary to bake bread, brew cheese and beer. On this night, people sing folk songs, collect bouquets, weave wreaths and float them down the river. Young couples should definitely jump over the fire, holding hands. It is also advisable to go into the forest in search of blooming ferns.

The second most important holiday is Christmas (Ziemassvētki, December 25). This holiday has absorbed more Christian features. Many Latvians go to services on this day; compositions with Christmas scenes are often installed on the streets of the city. The traditional Latvian Christmas dish is boiled gray peas with fried speck. All cooked peas must be eaten on this day so that the tears of this year do not remain for the next one. In Latvia, it is traditional to celebrate Christmas more widely than New Year.

Easter (Lieldienas) is managed in much the same way as in Russia. On this day, you need to paint eggs and organize egg-rolling competitions, and visit each other. It is also advisable to ride on a swing: the higher, the better. This brings happiness, and in ancient times it was also considered the key to a good harvest.

Apjumības (September 29) were traditionally associated with the end of field work. On this day the last sheaf was cut. It was believed that Yumis, the spirit of the harvest, resides in it. Now this holiday is practically impossible to cope with.

January 1 - New Year On the eve of the New Year, Latvia is experiencing a trading boom. This holiday cannot leave anyone indifferent, and, therefore, is celebrated widely. First of all, the distinctive feature of this holiday is the abundance of food on the table.

January 20th is an official memorial day in the Republic of Latvia - the Day of Remembrance of the Defenders of the Barricades of 1991. The tragic events of January 1991 unfolded in the Latvian capital after the Seimas adopted the Declaration on the restoration of independence.

January 26 is celebrated in Latvia as the Day of International Recognition (de jure) of the Republic of Latvia.

March 25 In Latvia, it is celebrated annually as the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Communist Genocide. On this day in 1949, about 43 thousand people from Latvia were deported to Siberia.

Easter(according to the Christian calendar) is one of the main Christian holidays. It has a very long and complex history. Many legends are dedicated to her. Latvia celebrates both Lutheran and Orthodox Easter.

1st of May Labor Day (Labor Day). In Latvia, this is also the Day of convening the Constituent Assembly of the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia.

Mothers Day. Many countries around the world celebrate Mother's Day, although at different times. In Latvia it is celebrated on the second Sunday of May. However, unlike International Women's Day on March 8, only mothers and pregnant women are honored on Mother's Day.

June 14. Every year on June 14, Latvia and Estonia celebrate a memorable date - the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Communist Terror and Mass Deportation. On the night of June 13-14, 1941, more than 15 thousand residents of Latvia were deported to Siberia.

June 23. Ligo (Jan's Day) An ancient Latvian summer solstice holiday, the meaning of which is to honor the god of fertility Janis, traditionally celebrated on the night of June 23-24. Ligo is a whole philosophy with a system of sacred rituals.

11th August. Every year on August 11, Latvia celebrates a national holiday - the Day of Remembrance of the Freedom Fighters of Latvia (in memory of the victims of the First World War)

August 15- The Day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, a Catholic holiday that takes place from August 12 to 15 in Aglona, ​​has state status.

September 1- Feast of Aristotle. On the eve of the start of the new academic year, first-year students of the University of Latvia in Riga gather on Dome Square to celebrate the traditional student holiday.

September 22nd- Baltic Unity Day. Every year on September 22, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia celebrate Baltic Unity Day. It begins in 1207, when the Order of the Swordsmen captured the territories of the Livs, and in 1214 - the lands of the Latgalians. The goal of the order was to gain military and political control over the Baltics.

September 29- Mikel's Day (among different peoples of Europe - Michel or Mattis) is a traditional celebration of the end of all summer-autumn work. This is a big day of markets and trade. A fun fair is held in the Old Town of Riga.

October 1- International Day of Older Persons in Latvia. This day was established by a decision of the UN General Assembly in 1990 in order to attract greater attention to the problems of older people.

11th of November Lachplesis Day in Latvia. Lāčplēsis (lat. Lāčplēsis) is the name of a Latvian folk hero, a hero of Latvian folk tales, personifying the greatness of the people, their will to fight and heroism. Lachplesis in Latvian folklore symbolizes heroism.

November 18th- Latvian Independence Day. Every year on November 18, Latvia celebrates an important public holiday - Independence Day.

December 25- Christmas. Preparations for celebrating Christmas in Latvia begin long before the holiday itself, namely from the last days of November, with the beginning of Advent, four weeks in advance, when every Sunday one candle in a Christmas wreath is lit

There are fifteen public holidays in Latvia. Not all of them are widely celebrated, since some of them are memorial dates for tragic events in the history of the state. But the rest are traditional celebrations, understandable to people of any nationality.

It will be a great success to come to Latvia during such holidays, because the original national culture has left a unique imprint on the holidays. We will tell you about the most colorful holidays, official and popular.

Holidays in Latvia

Winter holidays

There are four holidays during the winter period. Two of them, Christmas and New Year, are celebrated one after the other. Then it’s time to celebrate the famous detective’s name day. And the season ends with Maslenitsa - according to tradition, Latvians say goodbye to winter.

Winter Tales

December 25, January 1. Christmas and New Year. Preparations for Christmas begin long before the end of December. Almost a month before the Star of Bethlehem appeared in the sky, residents of Latvia:

• advents are lit;
• decorate houses;
• they pick up gifts at numerous fairs.

As the holiday approaches, your whole life begins to obey one goal: to celebrate Christmas. There are more and more Christmas markets and sales, festivals and events. But the peak of holiday entertainment, of course, is on December 25 and the following holy days.

Solemn services are held in churches and festivities, and public events follow one after another. Schoolchildren's holidays begin, children's entertainment flows in an endless stream. Christmas smoothly flows into the New Year.

Where to go:

During the Christmas holidays, fairs open in Riga:

• on the square in front of the Dome Cathedral;
• Livov Square;
• Brivibas Boulevard;
• Esplanade;
• in the main squares of urban areas.

The main Christmas tree is being put up on Town Hall Square, entertainment programs are held near it every day.

One of the best Christmas trees in Riga is installed in Lido on the street. Krasta.

A full schedule of events dedicated to New Year's celebrations in Riga and a map of the “Way of Christmas Trees” can be obtained from the tourist center on Town Hall Square.

In Sigulda, there are fireworks on New Year's Eve, and skiers, snowboarders and everyone who wants to celebrate the coming of another year on the hill ride all night on the city track.

Elementary!

January 4 is Sherlock Holmes' birthday. This holiday is the youngest; it was held only twice. On January 4 at 1 pm all Riga Sherlock Holmes events will take place parade through the streets of Old Riga: from Town Hall Square to his home on Baker Street, which is known to everyone who watched the famous film with Livanov and Solomin.

• competitions for the best character and the best Holmes;
• Great Dane parade of English breeds;
• bagpipe band;
• traditional oatmeal;
• and lots of fun and unexpected entertainment.

The holiday will not be complete without a crime, which, of course, will be solved!

Where to go:

Most of the events take place on Town Hall Square. Crime investigation routes begin there and the winners are awarded there.

The festival has an official website - www.holmes.lv, where the program and conditions for participation in competitions are posted.

Methenis

Late February – early March. Methenis means Maslenitsa. It is celebrated, as in Russia, at the end of February or beginning of March. On this day they drive away winter, bake traditional pancakes, go down the ice slides for the last time of the season and have round dances.

Where to go:

The main events take place in city parks and green areas. Folklore performances are organized in the Latvian Ethnographic Open Air Museum.

It is located in the suburbs of Riga, on Brivibas street, 440.

You can get to the museum by buses 1, 19, 28, 29.

Spring holidays

In addition to Easter and Victory Day, several other holidays are celebrated in Latvia in the spring. They are more family-friendly and do not provide large entertainment programs.

Bright Sunday

April May. Easter. Easter has long ceased to be just a religious holiday. Actually, she never was; her roots also originate from paganism.

This celebration of life. In a religious sense - the resurrection of Christ, in a pagan sense - the awakening of nature after winter.

Of course, at Easter they paint eggs, roll them down the slide and give each other gifts.

And in Latvia also ride on the swings. The higher the swing flies, the faster the sun will find its way to the zenith, the higher the crops will be and the richer the house.

The Easter holiday does not have a fixed date, and it must be determined for Latvia based on the Lutheran calendar. Orthodox Easter is also celebrated everywhere, but does not have the status of a public holiday.

Where to go:

• Starting on Good Friday, special services are held in cathedrals and churches;
• In Riga, in the Dome Cathedral, concerts of classical and church music are held;
• Easter swings are installed on Bastion Hill, in parks and squares, fairs begin with quizzes and competitions organized by shopping centers;
• On Easter Sunday, the Jurmala Open Air Museum hosts a competition for the most beautiful egg;
• The Ventspils Open Museum features rides, egg rolling and an exhibition of Easter bunnies.

The main Easter event is the Procession and Easter service, which take place in every church.

Veterans Day

May 8 and 9. Victory Day. The epicenter of this unofficial holiday is Victory Park in Riga. All public events are held there. At the end of the day, fireworks are fired, which are clearly visible from the Cable-stayed Bridge and the 11 November Embankment.

Daugavpils hosts a Parade of Veterans, which begins at 11:00 in the Square of Glory and ends in Dubrovin Park with congratulations and a concert.

Where to go:

• Riga Victory Park;
• Embankment 11 November;
• Independence Monument.

Summer holidays

There are several holidays during the summer in Latvia. The long-awaited warmth is conducive to round-the-clock festivities and forays into nature.

Find a fern flower

June 23-24. Ligo and Jan's Day. The Ligo holiday in Latvia and the following Jan's day originate in such ancient times that echoes of this pagan rite can be traced in any culture.

Yes, once it was a serious and important rite associated with the vital forces of nature in all its manifestations. And today Ligo is a cheerful and cheerful farewell to the shortest night of the year.

If you find yourself in Latvia on the eve of the summer solstice, follow the example of the locals and go out of town. Only in nature can the Ligo holiday come closer to its original, sacred meaning.

On this night it is necessary:

• don't sleep;
• weave and float wreaths on water;
• jump over the fire;
• enjoy beer and cheese, which are brewed specially for this day.

Exactly the fern blooms tonight, and everyone still comes out in search of the magic flower.

And early in the morning, when the fires burn out, it is time to greet the sunrise, which has completed half of its annual journey.

In Russia, this holiday is called Ivan Kupala and has similar rituals. But Latvians have preserved traditions much more carefully than us, and they celebrate on a grand scale.

Where to go:

• In Riga, dances, concerts, ethnic performances take place in museums, cultural centers, the Daugava embankment, in parks and squares;
• The biggest concerts, of course, will be on Dome Square;
• On the eve of the holiday, at the Ventspils House of Crafts they talk about the rituals and customs of Ligo and St. John's Day, teach how to weave wreaths and collect magic herbs. The market hosts a festive craft fair;
• On the Friday before Ligo, Green Day events take place on Dzirnau Square;
• On the night of Jan's Day, a concert and green ball will be held in Renka Park;
• In the city of Kuldiga, which is about 150 km west of Riga, the largest “naked race” in the country takes place across the Venta Bridge.

Assumption of Mary

5th of August. Day of Mary in Aglona. A small village near Daugavpils is known throughout the world for its basilica. On August 15, the day of Mary’s ascension into heaven, Aglona becomes a place of pilgrimage not only for Catholics, but for believers of all faiths and just tourists.

Not far from the basilica is miraculous source. There, in Aglona, ​​there is a bread museum that sells delicious bread and baked goods.

You can get to Aglona by intercity bus from Riga, Kraslava or Daugavpils.

Capital's birthday

Third weekend of the month. Riga Day. There are so many cities, so many holidays. After all, every city has its own birthday. But the most colorful holiday takes place, of course, in the capital.

Riga Day, despite its name, is celebrated for several days at the end of August. This is the third Friday of the month and the following Saturday and Sunday.

Where to go:

• The most popular events take place in Vermansky Park and on the 11 November Embankment. The park features large-scale costume performances that bring to life important historical events;
• At night, the OKarte Night Run takes place around the city, which anyone can join;
• On the second day of the holiday, a salsa festival is held, and a table with treats is set on the 11 November embankment;
• During the holidays, folklore groups perform, children's and sports competitions and quizzes are held.

It will be wonderful if you bring from Latvia not only a great mood, but also read this healing drink on our website.

Read about what to bring from the Latvian capital, and believe me, neither you nor your loved ones will be left without gifts!

By the way, there are many magnificent shopping centers in Riga, read about them: you will want to visit each one!

Autumn holidays

In the minds of any nation, autumn is associated not only with the expectation of cold weather, but also with a rich harvest, weddings and relaxation after hard summer work.

Harvest Festival

September 29. Mikel's Day. Mikel's Day symbolizes the end of field work. On this day, agricultural fairs are held in markets and shopping centers, where not only products are sold, but also traditional handicrafts, souvenirs and various utensils.

Where to go:

On this day it is simply impossible not to visit local markets. Farmers and craftsmen from all over the country come to the fairs, so now is the time to stock up on:

• honey;
• smoked meats;
• sweets;
• hand knitted items or ceramics.

Free Country Holidays

11th of November. Lachplesis Day. November 18 Independence Day. Events dedicated to the holiday usually start a week before Independence Day, on Lachplesis Day. This epic hero personifies the courage and bravery of people defending their land.

It is very symbolic that these particular holidays follow each other and are celebrated together for a whole week. Each city has its own own holiday program, it is updated every year.

Holiday exhibitions open, concerts and shows are held. Several traditions remain unchanged:

• abundance of national flags;
• military parade on the main square;
• evening fireworks.

Where to go:

In Daugavpils on November 11th they hold military parade and border dog show. The event takes place on Vienibas Square. A grandiose light show starts in Riga on the same day.

Over the course of a week, pre-selected buildings, structures and landscapes are transformed into objects of art with the help of light and modern technology.

Simultaneously with the festival of light, interactive shows, concerts and theatrical performances take place.

Festivals

Of course, festivals are held in Latvia:

• sports;
• folklore;
• musical.

Small-town, city, international - the number and variety of festivals that Latvia hosts is so great that they require a separate story.

If you are lucky with the timing of your trip to Latvia, you will see how its residents celebrate their holidays. Knowing these “red days of the calendar” in advance, you will be able to take part in mass, popular entertainment and learn about folk traditions a little new.

We couldn’t list all the holidays, but if you visit one of them while traveling around the country, you won’t have to feel like a stranger. This is the beauty of folk holidays that do not recognize citizenship or borders.

Latvia loves holidays; there are both official holidays and memorable days, as well as unofficial ones beloved by the people. Most public holidays are non-working days. We will introduce you to Latvian holidays and holidays, as well as memorable dates.

Easter - at this time in Latvia, as well as throughout the world, Christians celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord, and according to the tradition of their ancestors, they also celebrate the spring solstice. Good Friday, the first and second days of Easter are official days off in Latvia.

1st of May– the day of convening the constitutional assembly of the Republic of Latvia, when the state constitution of Latvia was proclaimed. On May 1st, the country also celebrates Labor Day. This is an official holiday.

May 4th- proclamation of the declaration of independence of the Republic of Latvia, on this day in 1990 the parliament made a decision that marked the beginning of the restoration of state independence. This is an official holiday.

Mothers Day– it is celebrated every year on the second Sunday of May, on this day mothers are congratulated.

Trinity– Christians celebrate on the 50th day after Easter, usually falling from May 10 to June 13. This is the third largest Christian holiday after Christmas and Easter.

June 23 and 24- the largest national Latvian holiday. June 23 – evening Ligo when the summer solstice is celebrated. This is the shortest night of the year
people light fires, sing, drink beer and eat cheese. The bravest jump over the fire, an important fertility ritual - couples go in search of the mythical fern flower. June 24 is Jan's Day, the day when the owners of the most common name in Latvia celebrate their name day. Ligo And Jan's day- official holidays.

11th of November– Lachplesis Day. This is a day of remembrance for soldiers who fought for the freedom of Latvia. The holiday was introduced after 1919, when the army of young Latvia saved Riga from the German-Russian army of Bermont.

November 18th- the day of the proclamation of the Republic of Latvia, when in 1918, in the current building of the National Theater, representatives of the people met and proclaimed the independence of Latvia. This is an official holiday.

December 24– Christmas Eve, December 25 and 26 – the first and second days of Christmas. Christians celebrate the birth of Christ, adherents of ancestral traditions celebrate the winter solstice on these days, an important ritual of which is to carry and then burn a log at the stake as a sign of liberation from all the bad things that have accumulated over the year. Christmas is also an important family holiday, bringing together old and young, on these days gifts are exchanged and poems are read at the decorated Christmas tree. Christmas days are holidays in the country.

31th of December- New Year's Eve, when they say goodbye to the Old Year and celebrate the New Year. New Year's Eve is a holiday that is widely celebrated; December 31 and January 1 are days off in Latvia.

Several memorable days are celebrated in Latvia, when they pay tribute to those who died for Latvia; on these days, state flags are hung at half-mast and with mourning ribbons.