If you have been to Latvia before, you know that culture is part of the everyday life. Virtually everyone in Latvia sings in a choir, is part of a dance group, and enjoys engaging in activities of the arts in various forms. People of all ages and all over the country love going to the cinema and theatre, attending concerts, going to the opera, or visiting art galleries. Culture is everywhere, and all the time, and the annual cultural events calendar becomes fuller and more diverse year by year. Latvians take pride in their cultural diversity, its popularity and meaning for the nation.
It is because of the central role which culture plays on a day to day basis that Rīga is especially proud to bare the title of European Capital of Culture this year, thus elevating the already central role of culture in Latvia to an even higher level, and having the incredible opportunity of sharing the culture which we love so much with the rest of Europe, and hopefully beyond.
The Rīga 2014 programme was officially unveiled this past weekend, with over 15,000 people taking part in some of the key events despite temperatures of -15°C. Throughout the year to come, culture will spill out on to the streets of Rīga. It will be everywhere, in a multitude of forms. Starting from the courtyards of the Soviet built sleeper suburbs, through to the creative quarters established on the outskirts of the centre by artists - theatres, galleries, art and cultural centres of Rīga, the opera, the new library building, and even places such as abandoned buildings, parks, streets, and the central market will become venues of cultural happenings. It will be everywhere, and for everyone, shattering the concept of the exclusivity of culture by coming out of the centre, and out of the confines of traditional venues.
We like to say that there are 58 Rīgas, and the capital of culture year will inject a dose of cultural vigour into all of them. The overarching theme of this year (and also the name of the programme), the central aim, is for culture to be a positive Force Majeure - an extraordinary energy with the power to transform a city, a perception, a life.
Over 200 events can be found on the Rīga 2014 calendar (excluding the smaller scale local level events), all arranged in six thematic lines: Freedom Street, Amber Vein, Road Map, Thirst for the Ocean, Survival Kit and Riga Carnival. Events range from conceptual to entertaining, festivals to operas, performance to circus, traditional to contemporary, with ample opportunity for participation.
Rīga’s year in the cultural spotlight of Europe will culminate with the European Film Awards Ceremony to be held in the Latvian National Opera House in December. This will be the first time the prestigious event is held in Latvia, and Rīgans are looking forward to discovering the films nominated for the awards, and to welcoming stars of European cinema, members of the European Film Academy, nominees and winners here!