You will never find any other advertisement in the world written in both Latvian and Lithuanian languages except this one, which is located 500 meters away from Latvian-Lithuanian border on Lithuania's side of Via Baltica road.
For a while I couldn't decide where to publish this photo on Riga blog or on Vilnius Photos blog.

Labels: ads, latvian, lithuania, lithuanian, multilingual, nature, roads, spring, trucks, writings, yellow

Vērmanītis is Latvian cuisine restaurant located in the very center on the crossroads of Elizabetes and Terbatas.
It is used be cheap as any other Lido Restaurant, but nowadays Vermanitis has prices like any place in city center.

Labels: center, food, latvian, restaurants, streets, traditions

The expression Baltic States has almost no official use, but it is often used in talks to show a kind of union of three Baltic countries Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
On the left side is a rare map which says Baltic States. More recent versions are called Baltic Countries.

Labels: baltics, estonian, latvian, lithuanian, maps

Rīgas Valsts 1. ģimnāzija (State Gymnasium No. 1 of Riga) is the oldest school in Latvia and one of the oldest schools in the world, which is still operating. First record of existence is dated by 1211.
During times the school was famous under many names, teaching in several languages and located in different places. Originally it was located next to Riga Dome and moved to current building in 1874.
Nowadays it is the most prestigious educational institution among Latvian and Russian schools in Riga.
Yesterday, on September 1, was the official opening of academic year aka The Knowledge Day and today is the first lessons day of new academic year.

Labels: buildings, center, eclecticism, education, elite, first, latvian, schools

Ленинград (Leningrad) is one of the most controversial places in town. It has Soviet name, but popular only among Latvians, who mostly hate everything what is related to Communism and the its age itself.
All this affects very alternative atmosphere inside. The inside design is worth of separate photo.
The writing Ленинград in Russian over the windows is almost invisible, because it is forbidden to name places in Russian Language in Latvia. And it is the only case I met Russian name of place in Riga.

Question to Western visitors, do you know what is the name of Leningrad city since 1991? :)

Labels: alternative, bars, cafes, latvian, russian, soviet, vecriga

Black Magic place has nothing to do with the powers of darkness, or maybe it has :)
It is a cafe shop, which is offering Melnais balzams (Black Balsam), the traditional Latvian alcoholic drink.
80-proof balsam made with herbs and spices and often being served mixed with coffee.

Labels: cafes, doorways, latvian, people, shopping, streets, traditions, vecriga

Alfrēds Kalniņš is one of the most famous Latvian composers. During his life he used to work in many cities, including New York.
His sculpture was erected in 1979, on his 100th birthday. Initially the statue was in front of Opera, but now it is looking towards Opera's back.

Labels: art, center, latvian, monuments, music, parks, persons, statues

Aspazija (Aspasia) is the most famous Latvian female poet. She is also famous as life's companion of Rainis.
Because of their political views they both were expelled to Pskov for 5 years, and then run away to Switzerland.
Upon their return to Independent Latvia in 1920, two of the most beautiful Riga boulevards were named in honor of Aspazija and Rainis.
She died in 1943 at home in Dubulti, Jurmala town. This monument is located few meters from her house.

Labels: dubulti, latvian, monuments, night, persons, statues, trees

Es tevi atkal gaidīšu te↓ (I will again wait for you here) - is the content of the massive message written with soil on the snowy track bench, which is next to 13 Janvara street.
Check also other lovely messages: "I love you" and "You are not alone"

Labels: art, center, culture, latvian, love, night, railway, roads, snow, winter, writings

Kabata (Pocket) is a small underground theater and bar with dance floor at the night time.
This place is favourited by many artistic personalities of Latvian community.
Initially it was opened as the first non-government-controlled Latvian theater in Soviet Union, hence its full official name has prefix Independent theater.

Labels: art, bars, clubs, first, independence, latvian, nightlife, streets, theaters, vecriga

Ne dienu bez Rīgas - is the title of an article about my blog in local magazine Rīgas Laiks (Riga Times)
This is the first review of my blog by offline media known to me. Despite very short article, I feel very proud because of it.

Here below is the full text of article:
Rūpīgi uzturēts un aizraujošs fotoblogs, kas katru dienu piedāvā jaunu fotogrāfiju un nelielu komentāru par tajā attēloto Rīgas vai tuvējās apkārtnes skatu.
Ne vienmēr šie komentāri vai objektu izvēle ir Latvijai glaimojoša, taču autoram (kurš savu personu pārlieku neafišē) nevar pārmest arī apzinātu nomelnošanu.
Mērķauditorija ir ārzemnieki, kas ir nolēmuši apciemot Latvijas galvaspilsētu vai domā par to, attēlos redzamā pilsēta ir skaista, dīvaina, biedējoša vai bīstama - tieši tāda, kāda tā ari patiesībā ir.
Dažkārt autors lasītājus izprovocē uz komentāriem - pajautājot, vai kāds igaunis nezina, ko igauniski nozīmē Pērses ielas nosaukums, vai izsakot minējumu, ka nez vai vēl kur pasaulē ir pilsētas ar dubultiem māju numuriem (Barona iela 59/61).
Tepat var atrast saites uz citām ar Rīgu saistītām vietnēm un vebkamerām, kas rāda pilsētu reālajā laikā.
® Sagatavoja Ilmārs Šlāpins un Pauls Bankovskis
The literal translation in more popular language:

Let no day without Riga

It is carefully maintained exciting photoblog, which get updated every day with a new photograph of Riga or surrounding and a small comment about it.
Photos and comments are not always flattering for Latvia, but the author (who doesn’t publish his identity) can’t be accused of intentional defamation.
The target audience is foreigners who have decided to visit the capital of Latvia or still are thinking about it. The image of the city is made to be beautiful, strange, intimidating or even threatening - exactly like it is in real life.
Sometimes the author provoke readers to comment by asking if anyone does know Estonian language and the meaning of Perses street in it, or expressing guess that somewhere else in the world are houses with double house numbers (Barona Street 59/61).
Also here are the links to Riga related sites and webcams, which show the city in real time.
® Prepared by Ilmars Slapins and Pauls Bankovskis

Labels: blog, famous, first, latvian, media, writings

Every language is being developed and extended every day, especially by not native speakers.
Transliteration of Russian is quite controversial point, but I guess it is unavoidable future and this writing is a good example of that.
Dzērieni or Napitki (Напитки) means Drinks in Latvian and Russian respectively.

Labels: buildings, funny, latvian, maskachka, russian, shopping, writings

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!

Labels: american, austrian, cinemas, famous, german, jewish, latvian, movies, persons, queer, russian, writings

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)

Labels: ads, buildings, kipsala, latvian, media, politics, skyscrapers

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.

Labels: blue, country, european, flags, latvian, outside latvia, roads, tervete

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.

Labels: flags, government, holidays, latvian, politics, symbols

Yesterday in Switzerland on the Ice Hockey World Championship Latvia won one of the best Ice Hockey Nations - Sweden.
Thousands of fans celebrated this event on the Riga streets, It was feeling like Latvia won the whole championship ;)
Sarauj Latvija! :)

Labels: events, girls, ice hockey, latvian, people, red, sports, swedish

Social advertisement in Latvian language on Krasta iela.
Nemēslo ceļmalā! Par cūku pārvērtīsies! (Don't dirty on the road! Could become a pig!)

On the background is Riga Tower.

Labels: ads, animals, cars, latvian, roads, social, towers, writings

16 March is one of the controversial subjects in Latvia.
Briefly saying it is day to revere the memory of Latvian people who had fought during second world war.
The controversy is about what they had fought for: against Red Army or for Nazi SS or still for Independence of Latvia?
I guess at that time nobody knew which front is bad and which is even worse.
Latvia was in the middle of two big powers, so Latvians had joined different forces.
The war's aftermath is that Latvia had joined to Soviet Union and had lost its recently gained independence.
So nowadays the people who were fought against Soviet Army are being called as freedom fighters or Hitler's supporters
However, I would like to repeat, at that time nobody knew what is going to happen.


See also Latvian Legion Day in 2008

Labels: center, events, flags, independence, latvian, people, police, russian

March 8 is International woman Day. Although it is not official holiday in Latvia, it is being celebrated by many Latvians.
Traditions are quite simple - to favour women with good wishes and by giving flowers.
The giving an official status to this holiday is being discussed each year.
Usually the right-wing parties are against acceptance, and the left-wing ones are for.
This "colorful" advertisement is sponsored by left-wing party Центр согласия / Saskaņas Centrs (Center of consensus)
Last year the 8 March greetings that I found were anonymous.

Labels: ads, buildings, cars, flowers, holidays, international, latvian, politics, russian, streets, writings