Пиратская Станция (Pirate Station) is annual Drum and Bass rave in Russia. After Sensation White had left Riga, Pirate Station took it place and came to Arena Riga with new show called Immortal.
One of the most notorious and infamous banks in Latvia is Aizkraukles Banka (Bank of Aizkraukle town) After financial crisis came to Latvia, AB started to bluff and cheat their customers. After several scandals had happened, the bank took a step backwards, but apparently the problems still exist. Today is the last day for many Aizkraukles Bank branches. This AB office at Ratslaukums is being closed down today as well. BTW, see new webcam at Ratslaukums.
Click this picture to zoom in and admire this fantastic advertisement of Salli clothing shop at Jomas iela, Jurmala. I didn't visit this clothing store, but, I guess, this is the first gay clothing shop in Latvia.
Hammer and Sickle is one of the most famous symbols of Soviet Union. Some of them still can be found in Riga, for example this one is in Mukusala area. You can see St Peter's Church through the embankment fence.
Doma Antikvariāts (Dome Antique dealer) and nice Brasserie outside located at Herder square in Old Town. Take a look at the custom license plate of BMW 645CI Convertible :)
A granite monument in the garden in Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital, which is located in Agenskalns area. It is a bust of Pauls Stradiņš (1896 - 1958), the most famous Latvian doctor, surgeon and oncologist. He had founded Medicine University, was head of Major Hospital in Latvia and many other medicine institutions. The importance of his works and contribution to the science can scarcely be overestimated.
In Botanical Garden people gone crazy because of beautiful blossoming Rhododendron. The spring and especially May is the most perfect time to visit Riga Botanic garden.
Latvian Bodybuilding Cup held yesterday in Moscow's House. The official name is Baker Nutrition Classic. More than 40 participants from 8 countries came to Riga to show their biceps, triceps, quadriceps and other muscles. In general it was quite good show, especially when girls bodybuilders in bikini appeared :) For me it was a big surprise to see my distant friend - Mārtiņš Skujenieks, who won Junior's Cup and took 3rd place in Absolute Cup (the most left one in yellow brief)
Not only Swiss watch can be found in Ženēva (Geneva) located on quiet street called Riharda Vāgnera iela.
Riharda Vagnera iela was already mistakenly in focus of riga.in, but in fact it was Kaleju iela. Please read about street of Richard Wagner itself there.
Labā Vēsts (Good news) is an evangelical non-denominational Christian ministry with around 1000 members in Latvia. Good News Unlimited is founded more than 20 years ago in USA as a branch of Seventh-day Adventist Church. See also Latvian Methodist Church.
In heraldry an escutcheon or scutcheon is the shield displayed in a coat of arms. Riga escutcheon has several elements, each of them symbolize different meaning Two towers - symbol of city rights Gate with golden lion head looking at you - strength and safety Two crossed black keys - the patronage of the pope Golden noble crown - feudal authority Golden cross - Christianity All symbols placed are on silver shield, which stands for peace and sincerity
This apartment building located on Kalnciema iela in Agenskalns area. See also other Latvian town's coat of arms.
No, this is not an internet kiosk, but simple newsstand which was very common for Riga in 1990s. Nowadays it is rarity, and I didn't see any of them in Latvian capital for a while. This one is left in 100km from Riga in a small country town called Dobele.
Writing on top of the kiosk in Latvian Avīzes - Žurnāli means Newspapers - Magazines
Rīgas Maratons (Riga Marathon) gathered 8 thousands of people this morning. Of course most of them registered for Mini Marathon, which is 5km. There were also 1km for disabled people, 20km as Half marathon. The marathon itself is 42.195km long This year marathon course starts at 11. Novembra krastmala and finishes at Arena Riga passing old town, cable bridge and other interesting Riga landmarks.
Muzeju nakts (Museum Night) is annual international event, which is being held in many cities worldwide. Riga is taking part in this event several years in a row. Tens of museums and galleries keep their doors open for one night. Tens of thousands people pour out into the city and night Riga looks very lively. I've visited several quite alternative museums during the night and all of them were boring nearly tasteless. Which is your favourite museum in Riga, or which would you recommend to visit?
Remember those burglars which were crawling like spiders on the Press' building? They had been putting banner of extremely right-wing party TB/LNNK with slogan Atbalsti savējos (Support yours) [Un]fortunately huge sheet was blown to tatters, just after several hours they put it :) I personally don't like neither extremely right nor extremely left wing political parties. Also, check TB/LNNK quite funny provocative video (with Russian subtitles)
The monument of Johann Gottfried Herder is located next to Riga Dome, where he used to work as teacher. Young Herder spent in Riga 5 years and his first major works were written in Riga. The people didn't understood his new wave thinking, so he had to leave Riga, but not for ever. See also German school named after Herder.
BTW, name Johans Gotfrīds Herders is a good example of Latvianization. Every male name should be ended with S letter.
Good news in Riga! There is one less ugly building in Old Town. After several years of disuse, the former building of Riga Technical University is finally being demolished. Vecriga is going to have one more square more soon, on Kalku street, just opposite the Flames bar.
Unfortunately there is no many places to go out in Riga during the working days. Roxy nightclub is one of the places, which operates every day, but I wouldn't never advice to go there. Despite that Roxy has very good location, in the very center of old town, on Kalku street, it is blacklisted place. Roxy is widely known for ripping off the foreigners and even locals. Keep clear of this "night club". Be aware that since July 2009 Roxy has a new name - Babylon club.
Mobile Aerodium in Riga next to Olympia Center in Kipsala. The price of a short two minute flight is 18 Ls (25 EUR) which, I guess, is slightly expensive. Have you tried Aerudium? How good it is? :) check another Aerodium in Sigulda.
Formerly this building was a gorgeous hotel in Jurmala. After the big fire in late 90s, hotel has been left untouched. Nice rooms with view towards Baltic Sea, beautiful outskirts, just 50 meters to the sea.
By the way, do not forget to send greetings to your mother. Today is the Mother's Day in Latvia :)
Today the Russophones of the world commemorate the victory over German Nazi in the Second World War. It is the greatest day for most of Russian-speakers in Latvia too and tens of thousands of people come to Victory Monument to lay flowers. This is the day which unites national minorities of Latvia and being intensively used by left wing parties as well.
С Днём Победы! (S Dnem Pobedy means Happy Victory Day)
Riga had town wall almost since it was founded. Nowadays only two pieces of that wall are still remained. One of them is located between Marstalu and Minsterejas streets, just next to November 11 embankment. The building of town wall was the business of every Riga citizen. Each person living in medieval Riga had to help built the wall. It was like a hut tax.
Recently built high rise apartment buildings in Imanta are still scarcely populated. Because of economic crisis in Latvia only few who can afford to buy luxury apartments in Riga Solaris with orange front sells flats for 900 EUR per square meter and higher. A little bit further standing Metropolia complex is in two times more expensive, the prices in Metropolia start from 2000 EUR per square meter.
Since the 1st of May 2004, when Latvia joined EU, all entrances to Latvia has European Union symbolic. But I couldn't find any Latvian flag at this checkpoint. We are loosing our identity and we are happy about it.
Photo has been taken at Latvia - Lithuania border next to Tervete town.
Don't panic! Nobody lives in this skyscraper. It is former Riga Press House. For the last 5 years this building is in the queue for demolition, so I have no idea what these people are doing there. But for sure it is not a window cleaning team.
What they were doing in real? Check another photo of Press' building.
Today, on the 4th of May, is the day of adoption of the Declaration of independence of Latvia. Basically it is the day when Latvia left Soviet Union and became independent again. Many people in Latvia consider this day as the end of Occupation of Latvia. On the photo you can see the Museum of Occupation of Latvia decorated tocelebratetheoccasion
This weekend in Latvia is especially long. Due official holidays Day of Labour on Friday and Independence Restoration Day on Monday, this weekend became 4 days-long. Many people spend first sunny days in the open, for example on the Jurmala's beach, making barbeque, drinking beer or just walking :)
Few years before the price of custom car license plate in Latvia was just 500 Ls (700 EUR) and every self-respecting driver had bought one or even two :) Now they made it 2000 Ls (~2800 EUR) and such extra became the sign of wealth again. Otherwise every second car would have some random text instead of serial number.
1st May is synonymous with International Workers' Day, or Labour Day. It is public holiday in Latvia as well. There is a very patriotic law in Latvia, that every building must be decorated with flag of Latvia on all public holidays. Otherwise building owner has to pay a big fine :( It is very democratic law at same time :) On the picture is decorated Rigas dome, which resides in Rathaus.
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