In truth, I was more interested in the personality of this legendary woman - she, at 92 years of age, had crossed the ocean, flying from America to Riga to meet with dancers in Latvia. Still supple and sprightly enough. Another insight I took away particularly for myself: if you're meeting a legend, don't expect anything superhuman, or disappointment will follow.
Trading, crafting, painting, singing and listening, playing music and playing games, tasting and snacking - all the length of Miera Street. Colourful ribbons and pennants fluttering in the wind on strings stretched across inner courtyards brighten the overcast skies. Children's chatter and squeals of delight when a small finger manages to touch a just-blown soap bubble.
The word "museum" in this event becomes ever more symbolic with each passing year, because Museum Night involves not only municipal enterprises - such as the Riga Municipal Police this year, opening their premises to visitors - but also factories (Aldaris), libraries, and universities. And that is not such a bad thing.
While today some were making a scene in Pārdaugava, brandishing a neighbouring country's symbols and St. George ribbons, the fiery rhythms of Spain were ringing out at Kalnciems Quarter and the outdoor stage was resounding with the rhythmic stamping of flamenco dancers. Here are a few photo moments and videos from the Spain Day event.
From 30 April to 10 May this year, an igloo-like tent - a dome - has been erected in Riga by the Rainis Monument, where anyone interested can enter free of charge and learn about the possibilities provided by European space programmes here on Earth.
It turns out this bubble-blowing event has been taking place for the fifth year running. Young and old gather with various containers of soapy water and blow soap bubbles of all sizes. After the gathering at Bastejkalns, a procession follows through the streets of Riga to Dome Square.
In the meat hall, food lovers can feast their eyes on eggs from those web-footed, quacking creatures (ducks and geese). Goose egg - €1 each. The aforementioned creatures are also available in chilled form. Two vendors were spotted facing each other, though the second had nearly sold out. Rabbit carcasses right next door.
This year I decided to make the Valentine's Day sweets myself. The idea was to improvise a little and create something not too sweet, featuring the elements characteristic of the day - red colour, heart shapes, and chocolate. Here is the recipe for the cake I made.
Having done a couple of rounds and handled a few works by emerging artists, we left - unfortunately nothing really spoke to us. Quite a lot of the commercially popular little cats, horses, and views of Venice. We wondered: perhaps the best and most vibrant works had already found their owners in the very first days of the fair?
In pursuit of impressions, we spent two evenings in two pleasant companies. What we unambiguously enjoyed was the light procession or parade "The Secret Life of Light" - a dynamic, fun, and attention-grabbing performance. The other installations were fairly uniform - more or less vivid projections on building facades.
