1st of May is International Day of Labor, therefore I would like to focus on some of the Latvian TOP 50 companies.
Latvijas Finieris (Latvian Plywood) provides job for more than 1500 workers, which is big number for Riga.
The factory was founded in 1873 as Latvijas Bērzs. It was producing wood materials for schools and households.

Labels: bolderaja, buildings, companies, holidays, industrial, offices, trees, wooden

Today is Easter Sunday for Orthodox Christians. Christ is Risen!
There is an interesting phenomenon in Latvia, despite that religion is becoming weaker worldwide, religion in Latvia is getting more popular, stronger and affecting people's everyday life more than before.
On the picture: a continued bulding of new Orthodox Church in Daugavgriva. Two cupolas are still on the ground.

Labels: bolderaja, buildings, churches, daugavgriva, future, holidays, orthodox, projects, religious, spring, wooden

Last weekend Riga officially became 1 year older, and its technical age is 810 years!
A massive celebration was held around the city 3 days in a row. Many subevents, like medieval fights, air show and of course fireworks could be observed in Riga these days.

I would like to continue my tradition and provide here some numbers to describe Riga's "growth".
The city mayor is still Nil Ushakov, but according current tendency, soon there will be no city, but just a settlement.
During the last year Riga population went down from 709,145 to 706,413 residents (-2,732); simple calculation still proves that after a couple of years Riga will have less than 700,000 residents.

Riga region population (including other cities) is 1,098,523. No changes because of new expanded borders.

I really don't understand how, but the picture of Latvia population is getting better. The growth is +27,388 or +1,23% of people (from 2,217,969 to 2,245,357)

Labels: birthdays, boats, bridges, daugava, events, fire, holidays, lights, night, riga

New Year after-party in the brand new Riga nightclub RAЙ (Rai), which name could be translated as Paradise.
Rai was open few weeks ago in place of the former ultra-popular club La Rocca, which is connected to Studio 69
Apparently Rai is an affiliate of Moscow club with the same name.

Labels: clubs, girls, holidays, nightlife, people, writings

Riga is getting prepared to New Year parties around the town. The mass celebration will be held in Old Town.
By the way, Riga Ferris wheel will work tonight all night long!
I wish you all the positive and successful New Year 2011!

Labels: brivibas, children, devices, entertainment, holidays, night, people, windows

Merry Christmas to everyone. I hope you have found a nice gift under your Christmas Tree :)

Labels: brivibas, cars, catholic, christmas, holidays, lutheran, night, snow, streets, traditions, trees, winter

November 18th is the National Day of Latvia. Today is 92 years since Latvia got independent first time.
During my absence in Latvia, the role of Riga photographer was taken by Mike.

Labels: flags, holidays, independence, nature

November 11th and its the day of Lacplesis.
Traditionally today Latvians come President's castle wall and put a candle.

Labels: events, fire, girls, holidays, independence, traditions, walls

Yesterday in all Riga Clubs was a costume party devoted to Halloween.
Just (to feel) is a new club in Old Town in the place of the former Zebra club, just across Coyote Fly.
It is like a drain club of Coyote Fly. Almost all the people who couldn't get into Coyote go to Just Club :)

Labels: clubs, events, holidays, lights, nightlife, people

Oliveoil is the name of Italian restaurant located in Old town on Jana iela.
There are so many Italians and Italian places in Riga, so it could be possible that Italian could be the 3rd most popular native language of people living in Riga after Latvian and Russian of course.
BTW, Halloween is coming this weekend :)

Labels: doorways, food, holidays, italian, restaurants, vecriga, windows

Rīgas svētki (Riga Festival) is always being held in the end of August each year. Tens of locations, hundreds of events and thousands of people are taking part in this huge celebration of Riga birthday.
In order to continue my own tradition, here below are some figures to describe Riga's growth.
During the last year Riga population went down from 713,016 to 709,145 people (-3,871); simple calculation proves that after 3 years Riga will have less than 700,000 residents :(
Riga district population (including cities inside) has decreased from 942,002 to 937,864 (-4,138)
And the picture of Latvia population is even worse. The huge drop is -43,325 or -1,92% of people (from 2,261,294 to 2,217,969)

Check also fireworks photos of Riga Festival 2008 and 2009.

As usually, good night photo is provided by F64.

Labels: birthdays, churches, events, fire, holidays, lights, night, riga, trees, water

Night Marathon is one of the most remarkable events during Riga Festival, which is taking place this weekend.
The distance is only 5km (3.1 miles) and the track route was made through many sights in Riga, which were illuminated and blazing at night.
The photo was taken by F64 Agency few seconds before marathon start.

Labels: events, holidays, night, people, sports, traditions

Rigans spend most of the summer weekends at the Baltic sea.
There is even an expression, that for people who live too long in Riga the phrase "Go to sea" means driving only 20 minutes by car.

Labels: beaches, bulli, holidays, people, sea, summer

Somebody may think that Latvians are obsessed with Christmas, because we are already counting the days left till the New Year.
The big reason to expect Christmas and New Year eve is the celebration of 500 years since First Christmas tree was placed in Riga.
152 days are left till the fifth centenary of Christmas tree, which is already installed in Old Town.
See photo of counter in winter.

Labels: christmas, devices, holidays, summer, traditions, trees, vecriga

Bolderaja Beach is closer to Riga center and has the same landscape as beaches in Jurmala, but it isn't so popular.
The beach is technically located in Daugavgriva area, which entirely was a military base, therefore this zone has no any resort infrastructure at all.

Labels: beaches, bolderaja, daugavgriva, girls, holidays, people, sea, summer

First time ever Riga city hall have thought about people who are going to celebrate Ligo in Riga.
Several stages, stalls, fires were built on 11. Novembra krastmala, although not so many people came as was initially expected.

Labels: center, fire, holidays, lights, traditions

An optical effect called Sun Dog or Parhelion was taken on the road to the Airport. Sundog is rather commonly encountered atmospheric phenomenon, which creates two mock suns beside the real one.
In Riga 3 suns can be observed in the summer evenings, when the sun is going low and slowly above the horizon.
Today is Ligo, a national holiday of the Sun and devoted to the longest day and shortest night in the year.

Labels: forest, holidays, lights, nature, roads, summer

Annual Parade of Blonde has been held today. A lot of blond girl teams could be found in Old Town this morning.
I like this proposal for new airBaltic uniform :)
Photo has been taken from delfi.lv.

Labels: airplanes, events, girls, holidays, jobs

Today is 65 years since the great Victory of Soviet forces over German Nazis during the Second World War.
A lot of people gathering next to the Monument of Victory, lay flowers and commemorate people fallen in the war.
P.S. Do no forget that today is Mother's day as well :)

Labels: events, holidays, monuments, pardaugava, people, russian, soviet, statues, wars

20 Years ago Latvia, on 4 May of 1990, Latvia proclaimed the independence from Soviet Union.
Latvian republic regain its sovereignty, Latvian flags were hung out everywhere in the country.
The legend of the flag is that wounded soldier was wrapped in a white sheet. After he died and the body was removed, the sheet was saturated by blood, and the clean white strip was in the middle.

Labels: events, flags, history, holidays, independence, night, vecriga