Then on May 4 the country will mark the 35th anniversary of the 1990 restoration of Latvia’s independence by the Supreme Council’s adoption of the Declaration “On the Restoration of the Independence of the Republic of Latvia” which restored the state independence of the Republic of Latvia, founded on November 18, 1918.

On May 8, the world will mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and a day later on May 9, it is Europe Day, this year marking 75 years since the birth of the European idea that was eventually to lead to the establishment of the European Union.

As a result of this busy schedule, public holidays have been declared on May 1, May 2 and May 5, meaning that there will be five days in a row that are – at least in theory – work-free. To account for the extra holiday on May 2, you are supposed to work May 10 in lieu. 

Here is a run-down of some key events and celebrations taking place around the May 4 focus. The list is somewhat Rīga-centric, so bear in mind that there will also be equivalent local events in other parts of the country – check your local municipality website for details.

There will also be events taking place in other countries, details of which are provided by the Foreign Affairs Ministry here. You can find out more about the May 4th events in Riga on the website www.kultura.riga.lv.  

April 30

Exhibition “We are free, independent”
Before the holidays, from April 30 to May 30, a documentary exhibition dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the restoration of the Independence of the Republic of Latvia “We are free, independent” will be on display in Līvu Square, Rīga, which will tell about the adoption of the declaration “On the restoration of the independence of the Republic of Latvia” and the period of the restoration of the Latvian state, starting from the victory of the Latvian People’s Front in the Supreme Council elections to the de facto restoration of the independence of the Latvian state.

May 3

Pre-holiday concert “We are composed” 
On May 3 at 4:00 p.m., the concert “We Are Composed” will be held at the Kokari Hall of the Mežaparks Grand Stage – honouring the beloved poet and leader of the Revival era Jānis Peters, the most beautiful compositions by Latvian composers will be intertwined with the poet’s poetry lines. Outstanding choirs and artists will meet on stage – the Jāzeps Mediņš Riga 1st Music School Boys’ Choir, the Riga Dome Boys’ Choir, the mixed choirs “Balsis” and “Juventus”, the concert director and soloist Zigfrīds Muktupāvels and instrumentalists Uģis Tirzītis (acoustic guitar) and Jēkabs Jančevskis (piano) to create a touching festive mood under the leadership of conductors Romanas Vanags, Intas Teterovskis, Valdis Tomsons, Artūrs Mitrevics and Georgs Zujevs. Admission is free.

May 4

Military parade in Talsi
At the beginning of the military parade, a 21-gun salute will be fired. As well as the ground parade there will be a flyover by the Latvian Air Force AN-2 aircraft, creating a red-white-red smoke trail in the sky. It will be followed by the National Armed Forces UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, as well as the Latvian State Border Guard A-119 and A-109. The flyover will also be attended by the United States Army Black Hawk and CH-47 Chinook twin-rotor helicopters, the Canadian Armed Forces CH-146, and Polish F-16 fighters plus two United States Apache attack helicopters.

From 11:00 to 16:00 on Ezera Street, in the Talsi Market parking lot and at the skate park, you will be able to view displays and information stands of equipment of the National Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior units, as well as watch various demonstrations. From 12:00 to 13:00, there will be demonstrations by dog ​​handlers of the State Border Guard and Military Police near the Talsi Market.

Live TV and online coverage will be provided throughout the day by LSM, starting at 09:00 with a church service from Talsi Evangelical Lutheran Church followed by:
10:55-12:00 Regional military parade in Talsi,
12:00-13:00 Saeima ceremonial session in honour of the 35th anniversary of the restoration of the independence of the Republic of Latvia,
14:55-16:36 Ceremony of presenting the highest state awards,
17:25-20:00 Concert dedicated to the restoration of the independence of the Republic of Latvia “Roots that bind”. 

Creative workshops, campaign “Wear a national costume in honour of Latvia” 
Families with children are especially welcome in Vērmanes Garden in Rīga all day long from 12:00 to 17:00, as there will be creative workshops, a large-format game zone in collaboration with “BigGames” and other activities. At 16:00, a concert for children by the association “Brīnumskapis” will be performed.

Meanwhile, the 10th anniversary event of the campaign “Wear the national costume in honour of Latvia” will take place at the Town Hall Square from 12:30 to 15:00, with a concert by various folklore groups.

The traditional procession in folk costumes will take place from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the route from Town Hall Square to the Freedom Monument to demonstrate the diversity and splendour of folk costumes and decorate the holiday.

Folklore ensemble singing, grand concert “Roots that bind”
From 13:00, a parade of Latvian school brass bands dedicated to the Independence Day of the Republic of Latvia will take place at Freedom Square, but from 15:00 until the evening, festive concerts will be performed at Freedom Square.

The “Put on the national costume in honor of Latvia” procession will be followed at 17:30 by ceremonial speeches by state officials, after which the festive grand concert “Roots that bind” will be performed.

It will feature artists including Ance Krauze, Dināra Rudāne, Igo, Jānis Aišpurs and many others, the voices of the soloists will be joined by the voices of singers from the choirs “Anima”, “Aura”, “Aurum”, “SkanTOS”, “Vivere” and “Muklājs”, and the events on stage will be complemented by performances by dancers. The program will be hosted by Ritvars Logins.

In the evening, from 8:00 p.m., there will be more entertainment with the post-folklore group “Rikši”.

Latvian film marathon

The May 4 Latvian Film Marathon will take place throughout the day at the Splendid Palace cinema. For the twentieth time, the latest Latvian films will be screened in both halls of the cinema and in an open-air night screening, attracting a wide target audience. Admission to the film screenings, as always, is free.

Concerts in the suburbs

The cultural centre “Iļģuciems” will host a jazz concert “Improvisation on Folk Songs”, featuring the Rūta Dūduma-Ķirse and Laura Amantova quartet and the cultural centre “Imanta” youth chamber choir “Vecrīga”.

The concert “May you live forever, Latvia!” will be performed at the Palace of Culture “Ziemeļblāzma”, featuring the orchestra “Rīga”, the National Guard choir “Stars” and the mixed choir of the Latvian Academy of Culture “Sōla” with soloists Marlēna Keine, Ieva Parša, Emīls Klāzus and Armands Siliņš. The concert conductors are Valdis Butāns, Kaspars Ādamsons, and Ārijs Šķepasts.

Meanwhile, at the VEF Culture Palace, the concert program “Words of Power for Latvia” will feature pianist Agnes Egliņa, tenor Jānis Kurševs, and actress Lidija Pupura. 

Free invitations to concerts are available from April 28th at the “Biļešu paradīze” box office.

Workshops

From 11:00 to 17:00, thematic holiday workshops will be held in the courtyard of the Riga Porcelain Museum in the Konventa Sēta, open to families with children, as well as people with special needs.