Riga in spring RECREATION TIPS EVENT CALENDAR EXHIBITIONS Table of contents DISCOVER THE CITY WITH RIGA PASS! Springtime in Riga 2 Event calendar 12 Exhibitions 42 List of venue addresses 49 RIGA TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES At the Riga Tourist Information Centre (Rātslau- kums 6), you can receive more information, as well as tickets to most of the events mentioned. Rātslaukums 6 Kaļķu iela 16 +371 67037900 +371 67227444 Working hours 10:00–18:00 [email protected] www.LiveRiga.com This information has been prepared on 06.02.2020. The Riga Tourism Development Bureau is not responsible for any changes made by event organisers. Sights and objects included and recommended in this brochure are the personal view of the independent author. On national holidays (10. – 13.04., 01.05., 04.05.), certain locations may be closed or have shortened working hours. 1 Pedal to the metal For the locals, the warm season really kicks off only when getting back on the cycling lane. The streets replenish with cyclers pedalling hither and thither from one outdoor event to another. Taking place at the end of April, Riga Bike Week fills the city withbike-centred Springtime events, the most popular of which is the ballsy Critical Mass. If you don’t have your own wheels, there’s Sixt bike rental stations scattered around the city. But for those who worry of getting their clothes all wrinkled, in Riga there’s always an e-scooter lying around somewhere. Nobody waits for the beginning of Spring with more ardour than Rigans. With daylight hours getting longer their frame of mind also gets brighter. Cyclists and e-scooter riders swarm across the streets Sixt bike rental and patios of the city’s cafés, restaurants and bars spill the sidewalks. Each warm and sunny day is a celebration, but the mercurial weather brings many surprises – a blizzard at the end of April? Springtime in Riga is never boring. No cars go From January 2020, on the first Saturday of every month, one street in the city centre is closed to traffic as part of the project aiming to promote more sustainable ways of transportation. During the day, the cars are replaced by petite stages, food vendors and other pop-up stands. It’s a chance to amble along the most beautiful streets of the city and carelessly marvel their architectural gems. In March 7 it’s Ģertrūdes street’s turn to ditch the cars. 2 3 For a rainy day Spring on the plate After binging on the Oscar movies, desire something The bi-annual celebration for the city’s different? Look no further than the beguiling Art Nouveau district, foodies, Riga Restaurant week will take place from where the art-house cinema Kino Bize is hidden. Apart from cherry- March 23 till March 29. Over the week, the city’s picked indie-filled repertoire, here you can also sample the freshest of hot-ticket restaurants offer meticulous, inventive and Latvian cinema with English subs. Don’t miss Riga World Film Festival flavoursome three-course meals at the cost no greater (23 – 26 April), this year’s program focus on the topic of human body. than your monthly streaming platform bill (20-25 euros). Start rehearsing your oohs and aahs, you’ll need them! More info: www.kinobize.lv Cinema Kino Bize Coffee date in the park Cherry blossoms in April, lilac in May, occupied by students holding study sessions on the lawn, and elderly ladies sharing the daily dose of gossip on the bench, the sea of Riga’s verdant parks are irresistible in spring. Having not one but two great coffee places – Tornis and Kurts on its borders, Vermanes garden park is the perfect place to meeting up for a coffee. But for a glimpse of a fairytale, drop by Victory park, that brims with blooming sakura every April. Riga Restaurant week 4 5 Riga Fashion Week Al fresco lunch break From 4th to 8th April, Riga will transform into a fashion mecca. The bi-yearly extravaganza – Riga Fashion Week will take in the coolest new venue in the city – Hanzas Perons. Catch the newest collections of renowned names and up-and-coming stars of the Baltic fashion scene. In springtime the workers wait for the lunch break Expect outspoken and playful fashion that will turn heads. with more alacrity than ever, because that means breaking free from the office walls and spending an hour enjoying More: www.rfw.lv food along with the first sunshine onthe decks of the city’s restaurants and cafés. Riga’s eateries are famous for its great lunch deals. A vegetarian feast in MiiT or a sophisticated fair in restaurant 3? Just don’t forget to use sun cream, the first sun rays are quite mean. Kadagi Eat your greens Best way to break free from the winter hibernation is by taking an extra dose of spring greens. Radishes, first carrots, sorrels, salads – the market oozes in colour. Get your vitamin fix daily atRiga Central Market or at weekends in Agenskalna market, Kalnciema quarter market. In March/April don’t miss a chance to savour the birch juice – this mildly sweet sap is rich in anti-oxidants. Riga Fashion Week 6 7 Nigh at the museum (without Ben Stiller) A classic of the cultural spring of the Latvian capital, the annual Museum Night will take place this year on May 16th. During the event, the sea of Riga’s museums will be open until late and offer a free entrance. More: www.muzeju-nakts.lv Rimi Riga Marathon Cheaper than therapy Latvian National Museum of Art Bottoms up From the widespread MyFitness to the chic Squad Hour, when it comes to gyms there’s no lack of choice in Riga, yet nothing’s better than exercising outdoors. The promenade along the river, stretching It’s no news that Riga is great for the fans of the from Spikeri to the port and the mercifully inhabited hoppy brew. If you’re one of them, visit Latviabeerfest, Viesturs Garden Park are two great jogging routes to returning for the 10th edition this year from 22nd warm up for Rimi Riga Marathon (May 16 and May 17). until 30th May. Gathering over a 500 types of beer It’s the only running competition in Northern Europe from breweries of Latvia and beyond, it’s a weeklong holding the prestigious World Athletics gold label. celebration of beer, food and good times. More: www.rimirigamarathon.com More: www.latviabeerfest.lv 8 9 Riga Jazz Stage 2020 Riga Jazz Stage 2020 (2 – 4 April) is a passionate celebration of all facets of jazz. The international jazz artist contest gathers musicians from 17 countries. The festival is held in Splendid Palace – ornately decorated rococo cinema is a fitting venue for lavish vocals and hypnotizing melodies. More: www.rigajazz.lv Riga Jazz Stage. Jameson Ross Where flowers bloom After months of greyness, there’s no better place for getting high on greenery than the Botanical Garden of the University of Latvia. Sitting on the left bank of the river Daugava, the 15 ha territory is a picturesque refuge from the urban life. Depending on the weather and the period, there’s something blooming, from azaleas and magnolias to rhododendrons. More: www.botanika.lu.lv 10 Event calendar MARCH Opera Le Nozze di The production of "Le Nozze di Figaro" will offer to get Figaro to know with the famous Argentinean director and artistic director of Teatro Colon, Marcelo Lombardero, 01.03. 15:00 whose productions have been highly appraised by audiences and critics in South America and Europe. Latvian National Opera and The production of Mozart's opera in the Latvian Ballet National Opera has been produced in the 1980s Latin American soap opera style, by creating an atmos- phere full of exotic, social and erotic tension. Opera Faust Dr. Faust is sinking into depression despite his many years, and the promise made to mysterious Mephis- 04.03. 19:00 topheles – all his wishes granted in exchange for his soul. Charles Gounod's marvelous opera, based on Latvian National Opera and the Goethe tragedy, had its world premiere back in Ballet Paris in 1859. Here and now, director Aik Karapetyan offers late-Gothic mileau, with touches of German Expressionism, including silent movies. "However, this does not mean a production that will be 'hopelessly serious," the director is quick to explain. Ballet Romeo and www.opera.lv/en/ Opera Le Nozze di Figaro. Photo: G. Janaitis Juliet Latvian National Opera and Ballet 05.03. 19:00 Women's Day Rally The Women's Day Rally is an organized auto-tourism This year the internationally acclaimed Michael 2020 competition with a variety of additional missions that Jūrmala Jazz. Michael allow you to get to know Latvia while competing for Kaeshammer Kaeshammer goes on a world tour with accompa- nying musicians, also visiting Latvia to showcase his 07.03. 10:00 prizes. Each year, the rally brings together the most daring women and their friends, the most creative 05.03. 19:30 talents and to perform to the Latvian audience with Riga, South Latvia (Zem- and adventurous of the fair sex, ready to overcome an unprecedented jazz show. The versatile Canadian gale) Dzintari Concert Hall artist creates an intimate and inviting atmosphere in insecurity, prejudice and timidity, and indulge them- his concerts, where any listener will find an interest- selves in a fun and exciting event, regardless of their ing angle. status or position. www.opera.lv/en/ Ballet Performance Is there anyone who does not know Karlsson who Opera Carmen lives on the roof – the best playmate in the world? 06.03.