Riga Shines Again
Long awaited was this festival, for November's cold, damp and dark evenings were crying out for some colourful beam of light. Yesterday evening was reasonably warm and pleasant for a walk, though wrapped in fog and fine drizzle. Riga's centre was overflowing with crowds who seemed to wander haphazardly through the central streets.
Alongside Latvia's 92nd birthday comes the 3rd light festival "Staro Rīga", running mainly in Riga's city centre from 18 to 21 November. Long awaited was this event, for November's cold, damp and dark evenings were crying out for some colourful beam of light.
Musical fountain in Kronvald Park in autumn & illumination of the Riga Canal footbridge
Yesterday evening was reasonably warm, though wrapped in fog and fine drizzle. Riga's centre was overflowing with crowds who seemed to wander haphazardly through the central streets (yes, the carriageways turned into pedestrian pathways, especially after the fireworks). Some were hurrying to the embankment to secure the best spots for watching the fireworks display; others were hunting and trying with cameras of various levels to capture the light installations for posterity; yet others set off to enjoy the evening at some indoor or outdoor café; still others gathered at the Freedom Monument with small paper flags and lit torches, listened to choir performances, and sang along.
Still from "Sand Message" & work "Latgale" from the exhibition "Clay Bowl" at the Congress Hall
Although the programme listed no fewer than 75 light installations, somehow it seemed there were fewer than last year, or that they were not quite as impressive (this is a subjective feeling). I was struck by Visvalds Asars's "Path of Light" along Brīvības Boulevard - it poured red-white-red light and truly was a second path alongside, or more precisely running down the middle of, Brīvības Street. Ēriks was taken by the "Sand Message" visible on a screen at Alberta Square, where an artist created interplays of form and colour using coloured sand, light, and airflow.
Many visitors from last year's festival were disappointed to find no anticipated light installation on the façade of St. Peter's Church. Meanwhile, on Town Hall Square, everyone watched with delight - and several filmed - the light and music performance projected onto the façades of the House of the Blackheads and the Town Hall.
On the whole - an event the city needs, thoroughly lovely and conducive to positive emotions. See you again at Staro Rīga 2011!
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