Temporary Riga photos are being published not in a regular manner due to blog author has moved to Vilnius.

Rainis

Rainis
Jānis Pliekšāns aka Rainis used to be a big figure in Latvian literature and national movement.
In fact Rainis is the only ethnic Latvian who was candidate for Nobel Prize, although unavailing.
His wife, Aspasia was also prominent public figure; and both of them were several times in exile because of political views against the regime of Imperial Russia.

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This Is It

This Is It
The protesters' camp which was pitched in front of Council of Ministers has been demolished this weekend.
The winter photo of people living on the street was starred in my blog because visitors were shocked about brave unemployed who decided to live in tent until they will find a job.
The record was reached in February when 12 tents were setup. Last weeks there were only 2 guys who still were living on Brivibas alley.
At the some point, one of them went to swim in a river, but another left camp to toilet for a couple of minutes. Almost immediately police gabbed all their unattended stuff.
Juris, the guy smocking cigarillo, told me: Police actions were illegal and this is not the end!

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Alfrēds Kalniņš

Alfreds Kalnins
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.

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Aspazija

Aspazija
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.

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Eros Ramazzotti


Yesterday Italian pop singer Eros Ramazzotti held finally a single concert in Arena Riga.
It was an unique and a very long-awaited performance, because of postponing since November 2009.
Close-up photo was taken by Irene.

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Armin van Buuren

Armin van Buuren
Last night Armin van Buuren had live performance in Essential Club Riga. It was already his 4th visit in Riga.
Thanks to his own unique project A State of Trance his popularity is growing drastically in the recent years, therefore Armin is said to be DJ #1 in the world 3 years in a row.
Thanks to Sunwave for close-up photo :)

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Marilyn Manson

Marlyn Manson
A famous heavy metal star Marilyn Manson has finally performed in Riga. On Sunday - such a blasphemer.
Although rumors that he got a swine flu, Marilyn was looking fine with his new album The High End of Low.

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Prodigy

Prodigy in Riga
I guess everybody likes the Prodigy, at least did at some point.
Their fifth album Invaders must die is the reason why they came to Riga today again.
Unseen show for Latvian capital makes Rigans think that artists are absolutely insane. Or Maybe they are? :)

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Пушкин

Pushkin statue at Riga
Last week was a monument opening ceremony of the most famous and high-minded Russian author Alexander Pushkin (Александр Сергеевич Пушкин), who was shot in the age of 38 (1799 - 1837)
Pushkin had a fabulous life and was recognized as genius during his life already. He wrote many chefs d'oeuvre, basically he has changed the Russian literature.
It was difficult to take a picture of statue without people nearby, because a lot of people were constantly coming here, to Kronvalda parks to see bronze Pushkin.

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Brüno

Bruno in cinema
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!

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Iran - Latvia Relations - Theme

Ambassador of Iran Rasoul Eslami and President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers
I guess you would like to ask me what kind of relations are you talking about? There aren't any relations between Iran and Latvia And you will be right.
I've been looking for an hour for anything that depicts something related to Latvia and Iran in one picture. All I have found is the low quality official video of accreditation Iran ambassador.

Why?
Today is the extraordinary city theme day, which is devoted to the latest events in Iran and especially to my colleague who run Tehran Daily Photo. He is missing.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Updated: the next day Amir was released without any comments.

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Pauls Stradiņš

Pauls Stradins statue
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.

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Bodybuilding

Body building championship in Latvia
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)

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Herder

Johann Gottfried Herder in Riga
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.

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Ozols

Ozols in Tramway
Ģirts Rozentāls aka Ozols is the most famous rapper in Latvia and, I guess, the most successful.
Ozols quickly gained popularity in 1999 with his rap song about Zolik. During his artist carrier he won several Latvian music awards. Nowadays Girts Rozentals owns several shops and works as DJ in Essential Club.
Today I couldn't believed my eyes, when I saw Ozols in tram together with his unknown friend, but I would like to help him to make his name taste like ass :)

Listen some songs of Ozols.

See also the similar photo of Nark in tram.

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George Armistead

George Armistead - Riga mayor
The name of this gentleman with the spouse is George Armistead, the most notable mayor of Riga through its all history.
During his rule 1901-1912 Riga has been changing a lot.
He is the person who wasn't afraid to change Riga look, destroy wooden houses and build new building in Art Nouveau style. He had built many schools, hospitals, central market, had setup a Riga Zoo.

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Stone Heads

Exposition of famous busts
Stone busts of famous Latvian people in front of exhibition hall Arsenal of Latvian National At Museum.
Here are busts of the most famous Latvian art workers like Krišjānis Barons and Raimonds Pauls

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Godmanis morning run

godmanis running
Prime Minister of Latvia, Mr. Ivars Godmanis runs every morning.
Difficult times are coming in Latvia, so everybody must be in shape :)

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Makslinieki Sawienojieties


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.

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Richard Wagner Strasse (Kaleju iela)


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 :)

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