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

11. Saeimas vēlēšanas


This year I was participating in parliament election by visiting Embassy of Latvia in Minsk.
These elections were necessary because of former parliament dissolution, but honestly I don't see the point of dissolution, because the majority of politicians were chosen again.

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Consulate of Sri Lanka


It is a surprise to find a consulate of such exotic country like Sri Lanka in Riga.
Especially when it is located in very remote and quiet part of Riga like Mezaparks.

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Lidaka


Sometimes travelling in Riga Tramway you can meet quite famous people, like tipsy nationalistic politician Ingmars Lidaka going home from Zoo.
Check Latvian rap star Ozols in tram as well.

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Kremlin Wall

Kremlin Wall
Kremlin Wall is quite narrow-famous sight in Riga and is located in Purvciems neighbourhood.
This apartment building was built in 1980s for Soviet politicians, which used to work in Latvian Communist Party.
The house itself is similar to red-brick wall and towers of Kremlin, which is located in Moscow and is the main government building of Russia during its whole history.

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Elections 2010


Today is the day of Latvian Parliamentary election 2010. Latvian people are choosing their servants for the next 4 years, who will work in Saeima, the Latvian parliament.
The biggest problem of Latvia is the absence of the strong and powerful leader and a lot of small parties were always scattered the power among themselves.
I must admit that Latvia is going in a right direction now, this year we have only 5 parties to choose between.

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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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Latvian Nokia

Latvian Nokia phone
What is Latvian Nokia? This is a new popular expression among people living in Latvia.
Sometimes Latvians compare themselves to Fins, who have much stronger economics despite very similar history, natural resources and more or less the same mentality.
State and private companies are often hope for a miracle, basically that some of their products or services will bring Latvian economics to much higher level as once Nokia did for Finland.
P.S. this is an old Soviet public telephone with dial. Quite rare thing nowadays, though.

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Protesters

Protest in Riga
Despite such a freezing weather (-17°C or 2°F) since several weeks these people are living in tents in order to protest against current government's actions or more precisely inactions.
The camp of more than 10 tents is based right in front of Council of Ministers.
In the very beginning it was just one small tent, but the community of desperate people is growing very fast.
They don't care about us...

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Ārlietu Ministrija

Arlietu Ministrija
Latvijas Republikas Ārlietu Ministrija (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia) building has remarkable nice night illumination after recent renovation.
It's difficult to write anything more about this institution, except it should protect Latvia's interests on a global level.
Foreign Ministry's work remains to be invisible for local people. I guess it is more visible from abroad.

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Doorways - Monthly theme

Doors
This metal doors of the former NKVD building (later KGB) is untypical monument, which will always remind to people how many victims were tortured and killed because of wrong political views during the early Soviet times aka Stalin's era.
Today is the Monthly theme, which is Doorways. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

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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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Vēlēšanas

Velesanas
Please do not forget to participate today in Riga municipal election. Riga is choosing the Mayor today.
Also, today Latvia elects its representative for European Parliament.
I wish good luck to my country and my city and I hope we will get out of critical situation.

P.S. Vēlēšanas means Election in Latvian language.

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Atbalsti savējos

TB/LNNK political advertisement Atbalsti savejos
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)

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Public Holiday

Public Holiday Decorations
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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8th of March


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.

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Just Picket

Riot in Riga
Crisis in Latvia triggered people to go out on the streets of Old Town in Riga.
The beginning was quite okay, most of people asked to create a new parliament, change economical policy in country.
Then protest turned into typical vandalism riot.
P.S. "Nothing Special" is the recent answer of Finance Minister to journalist about what is happened to Latvian economy.

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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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How much for South Osetia?


In addition to How much for Georgia. This banner was overwritten with South Osetia (South Ossetia in English sources)
This Riga life scene is next to Central Station.

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Kārlis Ulmanis


Kārlis Ulmanis was one of the most notable Latvian persons. Smart politician and wise governor.
Actually he is the one of few who gain independency for Latvian people.
He is the one, who was not afreaid to dissolve parliament and take control over country. And he was doing the right thing. During his 6 years of rule Latvia was in its golden age.
Unfortonutely, he died as many other Latvian élite people, in exile.

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