Page 139 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

LA T VIA THROUGH THE Y EAR  137

September Old Town Christmas Market
Railway Festival (first Sat), (Dec–early Jan), Rīga. Popular
Gulbene–Alūksne Narrow- with tourists and local people,
Gauge Railway (see p203). Events this festive market has a number
are held at various stops along of stalls selling handicrafts and
this 33-km (21-mile) railway line, warming winter treats, such as
with a restored steam engine as mulled wine.
the star attraction.
January
October Silver Bells International
New Music Festival Arēna Sacred Music Festival
(Oct–Nov), Rīga. A month- (mid-Jan), Daugavpils. A
long showcase for contem- comp eti tion with perform-
porary compositions. ances from a range of choirs,
Dancers in a street performance during ensembles and soloists.
Rīga City Festival November
Mārtiņdiena (10 Nov). This
Positivus, Mazsalaca. Latvia’s marks the beginning of
biggest pop and rock festival is winter. Events take place at
held next to the Baltic Sea and Rīga’s Ethnographic Open-Air
attracts international artists. Museum (see p163).
Lāčplēšis Day (11 Nov). A
August number of events are held on
Assumption of the Blessed this day in honour of Latvian
Virgin Mary (15 Aug), Aglona. freedom fighters.
Thousands of pilgrims visit
Latvia’s most important Catholic
place of worship. Winter
Rīga City Festival (mid-Aug). Short days and poor weather
First held in 2001 for the 800th can make travelling in winter a
anniversary of Riga’s founding, challenging proposition, but on
the festival includes concerts, a clear day Latvia’s snow-bound
street theatre and dance. land scape can be beautiful.
December Exhibit at the International Ice Sculpture
Autumn
Christmas (25–26 Dec). Festival, Jelgava
Autumnal colours can make Yule logs are dragged from
this season a pleasant time to house to house, collecting February
see the countryside, but the misfortunes of the International Ice Sculpture
temperatures fall rapidly from prev ious year before being Festival (early Feb), Jelgava.
mid-September. cere monially burned. One of the largest festivals of
its kind in the world. After the
event, the sculptures remain
on display until they melt in
the sun.
Public Holidays
New Year’s Day (1 Jan)
Good Friday (March/April)
Easter Sunday and Monday
(March/April)
Labour Day (1 May)
Restoration of the
Independence of the
Republic of Latvia (4 May)
Mother’s Day (second
Sunday in May)
Midsummer (23–24 June)
Proclamation of the
Republic of Latvia (18 Nov)
Christmas (24–26 Dec)
Visitors enjoying the beautiful city of Rīga in autumn

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