LATVIA - THOUSANDS OF YEARS OF CULTURAL HERITAGE

A brief history of Latvia and links to useful sites on Latvia's culture -- art, music, science, national symbols, etc.


Filmas "Rudolfa mantojums" pirmizrade Vasingtona
Filmas "Rudolfa mantojums" pirmizrade Vasingtona

J.Streiča filmas "Rudolfa mantojums" pirmizrāde notiks š.g.14.janvārī Vašingtonā, DC Avalon Theater. Biļetes varēs iegādāties pie ieejas kīnozālē pirms izrādes.

Movie to be part of Kids Eurofestival in Washington, DC
Movie to be part of Kids Eurofestival in Washington, DC

The Latvian movie "Little Robbers" (Mazie laupītāji) will be shown on November 7, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. as part of the Kids Eurofestival. The project director will be in attendance.

Choir from Latvia to perform at Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage

On Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.the Riga Business School choir will be performing at the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage in Washington, DC

Global Museum on Communism

The Global Museum on Communism is a portal created to honor victims of communist tyranny and educate future generations about communist atrocities.

Contemporary Latvian Sculpture Exhibit to be part of Europe Week
Contemporary Latvian Sculpture Exhibit to be part of Europe Week

"Latvian Dimensions: An exhibit of Contemporary Installations and Sculptures" (May 9 - 19, 2009) will be part of "Europe Week" in Washington, DC.

"The Soviet Story" opens in New York - October 24, 2008
"The Soviet Story" opens in New York - October 24, 2008

"The Soviet Story," Jury Prize Winner at the 2008 Boston Film Festival, will be screened at the Village East Cinema in New York at the end of October.

Performers from Latvia participate in Kids Eurofestival in Washington
Performers from Latvia participate in Kids Eurofestival in Washington

Artists Dace and Enrico Pezzoli performed at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage on Wednesday, November 12, 2008.

Documentary film "The Soviet Story"
Documentary film "The Soviet Story"

Mr. Edvins Snore, author and director of the documentary "The Soviet Story" was in the US in September 2008 for the US premiere of the film. "The Soviet Story" will be shown in New York from October 24-October 30, 2008.

Film "Rigas sargi"<BR><i>Defenders of Riga in the US</i>
Film "Rigas sargi"<BR><i>Defenders of Riga in the US</i>

The feature-length film "Rigas sargi," (Defenders of Riga) with English-language subtitles, will be shown in various US cities (including Washington, DC, Boston, Minneapolis, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Portland, OR, Chicago, Los Angeles, Kalamazoo) throughout 2008

Vestnieka A.Pildegovica komentars par "Rigas sargi" izradem ASV

Vēstnieka Andrejs Pildegovica vēstule Andrejam Ēķim, par filmas "Rīgas sargi" izrādēm ASV. Ambassador Andrejs Pildegovičs has sent a letter (in Latvian) to the producer of the film "Rīgas sargi."

Baltic Art from Private Collections: May 3-11 and May 16+17, 2008
Baltic Art from Private Collections: May 3-11 and May 16+17, 2008

An exhibitition of Baltic Art from Private Collections will be held May 3-11, and May 16 and 17 at 2304 Massachusetts Ave., NW. The exhibit is being organized as part of the EU's "Europe Week".

Latvian movie "Defenders of Riga" screening in New York in March
Latvian movie "Defenders of Riga" screening in New York in March

The feature-length Latvian movie "Defenders of Riga" will be shown in New York March 17, as well as on March 29, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. ** Update: A second showing has been added for March 29 at 2:00 p.m.

Latvian Music to be performed at Iowa Festival of Bands
Latvian Music to be performed at Iowa Festival of Bands

Conductor Janis Purins of Latvia will be conducting at the Northern Festival of Bands at the University of Northern Iowa on February 8th and 9th. A number of pieces by Latvian composers will be performed at the Festival.

Washington Post article on music director Mariss Jansons

On February 3, 2008 the Washington Post's Style section profiled Mariss Jansons, Latvian-born music conductor of Amsterdam's Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.

Latvian table game "Novuss"

This site is dedicated to the game of "Novuss" in North America. Novuss is a table game for entertainment, fun, and professional tournaments. It is easy to learn and fun to play.

Conductor Mariss Jansons to conduct at Kennedy Center
Conductor Mariss Jansons to conduct at Kennedy Center

Mariss Jansons to conduct Amsterdam's Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra at the Kennedy Center on February 3, 2008.

National Costume Exhibit officially opened on Tuesday, October 23
National Costume Exhibit officially opened on Tuesday, October 23

Dr. Vaira Vike-Freiberga, former President of the Republic of Latvia, addressed over 200 guests at the opening. The exhibit of 35 Latvian national folk costumes will be at Union Station’s West Hall (50 Massachusetts Ave., NE, Washington, DC), from October 22 through 9:00 p.m. on November 10 and is open to the public 24 hours. Click here to access video footage of the opening ceremony.

Latvian National Costume exhibit at Washington's Union Station concludes
Latvian National Costume exhibit at Washington's Union Station concludes

35 Latvian national costumes were on display at Union Station’s West Hall from October 22 through November 10.

New York Times on "Graphic Modernism From the Baltic to the Balkans, 1910-1935"
New York Times on "Graphic Modernism From the Baltic to the Balkans, 1910-1935"

October 13 "New York Times" article by Karen Rosenberg on "Graphic Modernism From the Baltic to the Balkans, 1910-1935" exhibit at New York Public Library (Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street). The exhibit continues through January 27, 2008.

Latvian video "Sounds Like Latvia" wins international competition
Latvian video "Sounds Like Latvia" wins international competition

"Sounds Like Latvia" selected as "Grand Prix" winner in tourism video competition held in the Czech Republic on October 3-4, 2007

"Kabata" Theater actors visit Embassy

The actors visited the Embassy on October 15.

Latvian song festival in the US concludes
Latvian song festival in the US concludes

XII Latvian Song Festival in the US took place in Indianapolis from July 4-8.

Latvian Poetry to be on display on Metro Buses in Washington, DC

Latvian poems (part of the European Poetry in Motion® Public Arts Project) by 5 poets will appear on Metro Buses in May 2007.

Latest album by post-folk group ILGI places 2nd in World Music Charts
Latest album by post-folk group ILGI places 2nd in World Music Charts

Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia

Official website of the Ministry of Culture - information on arts, cultural heritage, music, films, libraries, theater, etc.

The Latvian Institute

An organisation mandated to promote a positive image of Latvia both at home and abroad. Illustrated fact sheets about Latvia's culture, identity, history, traditions etc.

History of Latvia: A brief synopsis

History of Latvia in a nutshell.

Latvian Culture Foundation (Latvijas Kulturas fonds)

The aim of the Foundation is to promote culture by chanelling profits from state-administered and private business to various cultural endeavors.

State Culture Capital Foundation (Valsts Kulturkapitala fonds)

Administers competitions, provides grants in the branches of literature, theatre, arts, dance, music, film (all applications must be submitted in Latvian).

Music in Latvia

An overview of Latvian music: composers, groups, genres, recordings.

Virtual Latvian Art Gallery

Paintings, textile art, photographs...

Latvian Folklore

Catalogue of almost all Latvian folk groups, information about Latvian traditional music instruments.

The New Theatre Institute of Latvia

Resource about theatre and dance in Latvia - festivals, events, competitions

Latvian Museums

Website of the Latvian Museum Association. Learn more about various museums in Latvia - not just in Riga, but all regions of Latvia.

Latvia's People

A virtual encyclopedia: Latvia's people at the turn of the 21st century. Publish your biography yourself...

Latvian Science

Individual profiles of Latvian scientists, research institutions, and research subjects.