Staro Rīga 2009

Yesterday, 14 November, around 18:00, several Riga building facades were coloured by light beams of various hues, rhythmic shadows wandered along the walls, fish silhouettes began dancing in the sewer manholes. The second light festival in its history - "Staro Rīga" - had begun. The main installations were concentrated precisely in Old Riga and the city centre, so the streets were full of people - every other one with a camera in hand, each trying to outdo the last.

We strolled the lanes of Old Riga. I must say, the most impressive installations that concentrated the audience's attention were "Light Tells the Story of St. Peter's Church," "Press House," and the Aldaru Street performances. See the videos of the above.

We stopped by Dome Square a couple of times, where one could warm up at "Autumn Coals." On Klostera Street, illuminated and bleached shirts levitated in the air - the installation "The Bleacher"; on Arsenāla Street - "The Return of Cukerbekers." On Castle Square, "The Quenchers of Darkness" were in action. On Jēkabs Square, "The Butterfly Dance" could be observed inside a large transparent dome. On Līvu Square, "The Light Bearer" - unequivocally masculine, with two buckets in both hands full of... light.

The Powder Tower has acquired a soul and eyes that see in the dark. Every now and then it blushed from such high honour - for it is, after all, "the Guardian of Riga". At its foot, "Glowing Mushrooms" grew up, and a cannon stood guard over the city dwellers' night-time peace - "Go to War Against Darkness".

Festival website - http://www.staroriga.com/

Map of light installations - http://www.staroriga.lv/09/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/STARO_RIGA_2009_PROGRAMMA.pdf

Light performances in Old Riga: