Author: Ineta Miglāne
Source: Riga.lv
Riga residents and city guests are invited to the Midsummer celebrations from 23 June at 20.00 until 04.30 on 24 June at three venues: Grīziņkalns Park, Dzegužkalns, and the Mežaparks Green Theatre.
Reklāma
The Midsummer night event in Grīziņkalns, “From Sun to Sun”, will begin at 20.00 with wreath-making, Midsummer traditions, and games. At 22.20, a ceremony will be held to see off the Sun and a bonfire will be lit, featuring the folk group Ogas, the post-folk group “Rikši” and the folk ensemble “Kokle”. After midnight, a DJ and the band “Raxtu Raxti” will entertain the Midsummer revellers, whilst at two in the morning, everyone will have the chance to get their feet moving at the dance with the band “Zuši”. Thereafter, from 04.00, you can enjoy dancing with DJ Kaspars Zaviļeiskis.
As usual, Dzegužkalns will host Midsummer celebrations in a traditional atmosphere. At 20.00, it will be opened by Midsummer Mother Zoja Heimrāte and Midsummer Father Edgars Lipors, together with members of the Riga Dance Club and the ethno-company “Zeidi”. From 20.30 to 22.00, the traditional humorous folk-song duels and joint singing will take place, led by the ethno-company “Zeidi”, and from 22.30 to 23.00, the post-folklore band “Iļģi” will entertain the gathered people. Thereafter, from 23.00 until midnight, everyone will be invited to take part in the traditional big dance tour, led by Ilga Reizniece and the band “Iļģi”. And the dance steps will be taught by dancers from the Riga Dance Club. After midnight, a solemn celebration of all who are named Jānis will take place, followed by the dispelling of darkness accompanied by the musical ensemble “Rahu”. At 2.00, the neo-folk group “Jauno Jāņu Orķestris” will lead the waiting for the sun, whilst the sunrise itself will be marked with the post-folk group “Rikši”.
Meanwhile, the “Riga Open-Air Ball” will take place at the Mežaparks Green Theatre from 20.00. At 20.00, the post-folk group “Rikši”, Žoržs Siksna and his backing band will bring joy to the audience, whilst from 22.30, all revellers will be entertained by the group “Laika upe”. Closer to midnight, at around 23.40, the popular singer Aija Andrejeva will perform with her band. Later, around 01.00, the band “Labvēlīgais tips” will provide the fun and entertainment, and shortly after 02.00, singer Ralfs Eilands will take to the stage with his band. At 3.30 am, the band “Zelta kniede” will entertain the most resilient revellers. The sun waking ritual will take place at 04.25. The event will be hosted by actors Imants Strads and Elīna Vāne.
Free entry to all events. Traditional festive food and refreshments will be available for purchase at the venues.
You can find out more about Midsummer events in Riga on the website www.kultura.riga.lv and by following the information on the Riga City Council’s social media pages “Rīga” un “Rīgā notiek”..
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