Riga, Latvia by Sigita

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I can tell quite a lot about my city because I live in the capital of Latvia, Riga.It celebrated its 800th anniversary this August, and it was mentioned as one of the most beautiful and impressive events of the year 2001. Sometimes Riga is called "the small Paris" because of its architecture - the Old Riga is one great monument of architecture.Riga is also one of the birthplaces and the most famous cities where one can see wonderful buildings in Art Noveau or Jugendstyles. Bet there are also many parks in Riga where one can just sit and relax...

The official language here is Latvian (the one I speak, too) but there are also very many Russian speaking people. The population is mainly Christian (Catholic, Lutheran, Protestant)  Latvia has very beautiful nature - there are a lot of forests,medows,lakes and rivers (unfort no big mountains).Tourists like that because very many places aren't urbanised,you can really feel nature here. Tourists like places that are connected with our history,for example,Open Air Museum where one can see how people lived about two centuries ago in each of Latvia's regions(they are 4). And of course our capital Riga and other cities that once belonged to Hansa Union, and were one of the richiest in the region.

Dome Cathedral in Riga

Luckily our French friends came to visit us this summer, so I can bring back to memory the places and events we visited.If one wants to understand our culture, he/she must attend our Song and Dance Festival that takes place every 4 years (as the OG;)) - you have never seen so many people singing in one voice or so many people dancing the same dance.This is one of the festivities that really joins our nation, and was one of the joining "elements" in our fight for freedom. I could only add that this festival lasts for about one week; during this week there are a lot of rehearsals,concerts, and Song Wars. One can see a lot of people in our traditional folk costumes on the streets, etc. I guess one must see the festival to really understand what I'm talking about:). And the other holiday almost everybody is looking forward is Jāņi(Mdsummers Night). Since it takes place in June(23rd of June),we celebrate it outside the city with friends,families etc.Usually we celebrate it outside even if its raining (we have the saying "it's raining as in Jāņi" coz there haven't been any this holiday without rain).We're making bonfires, eat a special cheese with caraway, drink a lot of beer, and sing songs (again a stereotype "Latvians are the folk of great drinkers,eaters and singers":)).During the evening we're jumping over the bonfire. Actually, this holidays can last for two or three days.

Freedom Monument in Riga

Latvian Folk Dancers

The Song and Dance          Festival in Riga

In terms of amusement, we are the same as everywhere - we like to be together with our friends, colleagues, like to go to clubs or sit at pubs, like dances and music,sports;well,drinks. It all depends on the person. The most popular sports are basketball and hockey. Latvians are the first European champions in basketball, we have had strong teams (both women and men), good players (olympic champions) but all this fame came to our country in the time when we were the part of the big Soviet Union.When Latvia gained its independence in 1991, all the systems broke and we had to start mostly everything form the beginning. Also in sport. But basketball has always been considered as the most popular sport of Latvia, maybe because mostly everybody can play it (also me:)); there have been organised many streetball tournaments (the first one - the biggest in Europe). This year our basketball gained its popularity with our men's national team taking the 8th place in the EC, and winning against Lithuania (those who are the fan of basketball, know what it means). Though in the past 4, 5 years, especially when spring comes, hockey is the Number 1 in our country coz our team already for 5 years plays in Group A (well,with different results), and the WC 2006 in hockey will take place in Riga.Our great victories are aginst the USA this year and Russia the prvious one (the one who knows the history of Latvia, understands what this last victory meant for us). The World Championships in hockey unites people, old and young, everybody goes to the Freedom Monument and sing our anthem, then we go to the ambassy of the country won, and lay flowers there.And then - party all night.....

I, as a Latvian, can say that I really like our cuisine though for forigners it can be too heavy (and it really is;)).But tourists usually taste our food and they like it! Though in the last years very many new products have came in, and here you can buy the same things as somewhere else, for example, in Europe.Traditional dishes we usually cook for some holidays,for example, Christmas when we have stewed suerkraut,cooked peas,rosted meat,some meat pies and gingerbread. Unfortunately, I remember very little from my childhood, can't name something special. Only that we hadn't that many toys maybe as children in Western Europe or the USA coz we were under that stupid power of the USSR where people thought that only "ours, Union things" were the best.But I don't think that influenced me somehow. Since we have such powerful neighbour as Russia,it's hard to express our opinion because Russia is greater,more powerful and mostly every country believes in it. Nobody want to have trouble with Russia, so sometimes (or, to say the turth, quite often) we have to adapt to the opinions of others (not of our own). Many think that we oppress Russians but that's not right. The blame is in themselves - they don't want to learn Latvian (though they live in Latvia!), don't want to admit that Latvia is now free country, not a part of Russia. They don't want to tolerate us. I understand that it is hard to forget the history but if they live in this country they have to be proud of it and its citizens.

The Shore near Riga

Below, Sigita!

To learn more about Riga and Latvia, Sigita recommends these sites: www.afi.lv dia.yo.lv

Finally, if I had to tell you what makes me the most proud to be Latvian, it is our Song and Dance festival, our female president, our hockey team, the people that brings the name in Latvia around the world(singers,dancers,writers,sportsmen,etc.),the beautiful nature, and my city, Riga.