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Winter is here and one is craving something hot. Until now I was acquainted with mulled wine and hot balsam. But being an incorrigible beer drinker, for my own delight and that of like-minded souls - this year, earlier than ever before, mulled beer has come into fashion!
At the Almost Theatre Artelis on Monday evening - 22 November at 19:00 - in collaboration with the flamenco dance club Duende, a flamenco evening was held. The venue must be said to be ideal for such an evening - I cannot imagine a better one in Riga. One could enjoy Marianna's nimble dance steps and Agustin's velvety voice timbre.
The classics are of course good, but everything flows and changes and takes on a new form. So this time I offer ideas for a different, more individualised Advent wreath. In my view, the wreath should not only please the eye, but should have "a soul" - i.e., so you can touch it and feel the rough bark of wood, smell the bitterness of the forest, the sweetness of citrus and cinnamon, and so on.
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.
In Italy on the table alongside bread and salt, wine is ever-present. But when guests gather, the resounding Salute! rings out above all. The celebration of life. On a Friday evening that same small celebration of life took place right here in Riga at Larisa's independent wine courses. This time - about Piedmont and its wines.
Viewed through the flamenco family tree, tangos originated mainly from the Romani music branch. This accounts for the sharp, accented movements, the strident sound, and the performance's focus on rhythm rather than melodic quality. The song or dance usually begins with clapping in the above-mentioned rhythm and continues throughout the entire performance, accentuating moments of climax and relaxation.
This month it so happened that, being right here in Latvia swept by autumn winds, we savoured Italy. Firstly, of course, the film "Eat Pray Love", where the character played by Julia Roberts travels to Italy to discover the Italian art of celebrating life. Secondly, photographs sent by Silvija from a trip through Italy. Thirdly, the Tuscany wine seminar organised by Larisa.
The hours of natural light grow ever shorter. In the evenings there is a desire to light candles, stoke the stove or fireplace, curl up under a warm blanket and rely on movement as little as possible to preserve the body's warmth. So on one such autumn evening, curled up on the sofa searching for warmth and inspiration, I found a recipe online for a drink to enjoy on a truly raw, damp day. They say you wouldn't drink mulled wine yet - that's more of a Christmas drink - but one wants something to warm the insides. Well then, let's try it!
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At Michaelmas they say the winter gates are now open - meaning that from this day one must expect the cold to begin. Michaelmas is usually celebrated on 29 September, but this year on 25 September the Michaelmas Fair in Old Riga - on Dome Square and Town Hall Square - took place bathed in warm sunshine, and nothing at all suggested the approach of a harsh winter. Though wise folk say that an autumn as bountiful as this year's will certainly bring a winter equally bountiful and harsh.
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This time the idea comes from the wine courses, where the course organiser Larisa always takes care to ensure that we have tasty food and snacks suited to that evening's wines. What caught my attention was the spice-marinated cheese, so after the event I stayed behind to have Larisa share her culinary secrets. All things of genius, as ever, turned out to be wonderfully simple.