CALENDAR / December
Words by Līga Vaļko and
Zane Nikodemusa
Publicity photos, by Gints Ivuškāns (F64)
and iStock
December 2018
RIGA
WINTER SOLSTICE
CELEBRATIONS
Did you know?
December 22
Since ancient times, Latvians have
celebrated the winter solstice – the
shortest day and longest night of
the year. Every year on this day, the
Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air
Museum, one of the largest museums
of its kind in Europe, invites guests
to become acquainted with the old
solstice traditions, from making
decorations and pulling the yule log
around the farmstead to pouring
molten lead and other methods of
fortune-telling.
The first-ever
Christmas tree
was set up and
decorated in the
market square in
Riga just over 500
years ago.
liveriga.com
brivdabasmuzejs.lv
DINAMO RIGA HOME
GAMES
December 7, 10, 26, 28, 30
THE NUTCRACKER BALLET
December 1, 16, 23
CABARET O PERFORMANCE
December 13–30
For the past ten years, the annual
Cabaret performance has gathered some
of Latvia’s best singers, musicians, and
dancers and has become a legend in its
own right. Rooted in cabaret traditions,
this year’s live entertainment show is
titled O. Don’t miss this wonderful eve-
ning extravaganza in Riga!
Tickets at bilesuparadize.lv
Q
uote of
the month /
22
/ airBaltic.com
Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker
is a Christmastime classic and
undoubtedly also one of the most vivid
performances at the Latvian National
Opera and Ballet. The action in the
ballet is set in Riga in the late 19 th -
century, and viewers will recognise
the atmosphere of the narrow streets,
Art Nouveau interiors, and snowy
evenings. A great way to get in the
holiday spirit!
Tickets at opera.lv
My intention is to provide
food for the soul, and this is
what I preach in my works.
/
Dinamo Riga, the professional
ice hockey team based in
the Latvian capital, will play
five important home games
this month. Their opponents
will be Salavat Yulaev Ufa,
Ak Bars Kazan, Neftekhimik
Nizhnekamsk, Torpedo
Nizhny Novgorod, and the
legendary Dynamo Moscow.
Dinamo Riga has played
in the Kontinental Hockey
League since 2008.
Tickets at dinamoriga.lv
PĒTERIS VASKS ,
a prominent Latvian composer whose instrumental
works are performed around the world by renowned
musicians and often in Latvia’s churches and concert
halls during the Christmas season.