Siemens office and the brick water tower next to one of the parking lots in Riga Airport. The biggest invention of Siemens was the telegraph and in the mid of 19th century Werner von Siemens got an order from Petersburg to commute cities around Russian Empire. It was the first international order of Siemens.
Riga was one of the first cities which got direct telegraph line with Saint Petersburg thankfully to Siemens.
Bivouac (Bivak) is the name of the event devoted to historical reconstructed battles, which was being held in Daugavgriva fortress this weekend. A lot of soldiers wearing historical uniform of Swedish, Russian, French, German and other armies of 18-20 centuries inspire the feeling of being moved back for many years by time machine.
Rammstein concert is being held today in Arena Riga. An unique show was performed by world famous Band originally coming from East Germany. Rammstein become successful for its sharp and aggressive lyrics. Despite Rammstein is mainstream now, it still could be considered as alternative music.
Bilingual writing Фабрика велосипедовѣ А. Лейтнерѣ (Old Russian orthography) Velociped-Fabrik A. Leutner (German) is a good monument to the first Bicycle Factory in Russian Empire, which was founded in 1886.
The wooden building, located on Skolas iela 3, was built in 1905 using German Romanticism and Jugendstil styles. The German writing on top Arbeit ist des Burgers Zierde (The work is citizen's adornment) is one of still living evidences that at some time Riga was German city. See also another photo of German Architecture in Riga.
Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten (The Bremen Town Musicians) is the name of bronze statue next to St. Peters Church. It is a gift from German city Bremen, the sister city of Riga. The statue depicting donkey, dog, cat, and rooster. Note the mouths that have become shiny. Touching the mouth is said to make wishes come true.
It is quite possible that people who hoist flags might don't have any education and therefore there is no wonder that German flag was set in a wrong upside-down way. But how the management of 4 star hotelGarden Palace can miss such a mistake?
Österreichische Botschaft (Austrian Embassy) is located in the area of the most beautiful architecture in Riga. Sind österreichische Volk unter meinem Lesern? :) See also of German Embassy, which building is not less beautiful.
Yesterday in Latvia, just one week after the world, was the premier of the new shocking film Brüno. The movie is from producer of Borat and they are quite similar. Bruno is Austrian gay who wants to became world class celebrity and goes to USA. Of course it is forbidden to make any photos in cinema, but I wanted to show subtitles in two languages. Every movie in Latvia is being subtitled in two languages: Latvian and Russian. This movie itself is also in two languages: English and German. Unglaublich!
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.
German architecture is world famous for half-timbered houses building technique. As Riga was German province for many centuries, some Fachwerkhaus masterpieces still can be found in Old Town.
This building is more than just a good example of Art Nouveau architecture in Riga, but also it is a German School. Actually it is my school. By word "my" I mean that I spent several years in this building to get some knowledge about the life, and German language of course :) The school named after famous German philosopher Johann Gottfried Herder, who used to work in Riga as teacher. One more interesting fact that this is the only school located on Skolas iela, which means School street in Latvian language. See also English school in Riga.
Swastika is flying over Riga buildings because Latvian Legioners got approval for their new event. A joke! :) Miss Irena's Children movie is being filmed in Riga this days. This movie tells the story about Polish jews during Second World War, and will be released in 2009.
Today is a big date in Latvia. 90 years since our country became independent from Russia and Germany. At that time, in 1918 there was no such word Latvia at all. The country was formed from the lands belonging to two big neighbours, but the people was speaking in one Latvian language. During that time Russia wanted to recover their authority on their former land. And Germany wanted to create The United Baltic Duchy from territories where Latvia and Estonia are now. This Baltic Duchy would be under the German rule. All their plans fell to the ground, because of people like Karlis Ulmanis, which made dreams about the country for Latvian people came true.
I think that the last days are numbered, when I can put the picture of this guy without telling who is him. Makslinieki Sawienojieties means Artists unite in Latvian. For the past months I couldn't figure out the story behind this writing and George Walker Bush portrait.
Riharda Vāgnera iela (Richard Wagner street) is a narrow street in Riga Old Town connecting Livu square and Audeju iela.
It is named after famous German composer Richard Wagner. Richard Wagner was Riga Opera music director in 1837-1839.
I am sorry for misleading you, my dear readers. In fact on this photo is Kalēju iela, which is very similar to real Riharda Vāgnera iela. Kaleju iela and Riharda Vāgnera iela are parallel to each other and people very often get mixed up :)
Unfortunately open-air concerts not protected from nature pranks. Empty chairs during Sash! concert at Ogres Estrāde (Ogre stage) is result of rain, but not a marketing failure It should be noted that despite bad weather Sash! gathered several thousands of people.
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