Riga City Festival 2011

Riga has just celebrated its 810th birthday with concerts, markets, a knights' tournament, a retro car parade, a salsa marathon, a regatta, aerobatic displays, and many other engaging and crowd-pleasing events. It seems the highlight of this year's celebrations was not the customary fireworks - also impressive enough - but the casting of a key to Riga from 52,763 keys previously donated to a chest.

The artisans' market in Vērmaņdārzs was a pleasant surprise. What won't Latvia's craftspeople think of and make?! For just Ls 1 I bought a kneadable stress toy - flour in a rubber casing - which can be moulded into any imaginable shape. At another vendor I discovered that a household spirit and guardian of family peace can take the form of a white ceramic rabbit. Elsewhere, clay mugs in various colours carried everyday reminders designed to raise a smile, such as "don't be a piglet, wash your mug," "don't touch the boss's mug," and the like.

On the stage at Dome Square, many watched the whirling dervishes with interest. Meanwhile, on the quiet street of the city centre - Alberta Street - it was possible once again to step back 100 years and observe the fashion and dance traditions of that era, as well as take part in various workshops and an auction.

A video glimpse of the festival events:

A photo glimpse of the festival events: