Where to Go This Weekend

Summer has finally arrived in Latvia in full force. Every warm and sunny day must be used, as we get so few of them. So I decided to put together a list of possible events where one could get out and about during the days off after the work week.

1. At the University of Latvia Rhododendron Breeding and Trial Nursery „Babīte" it is peak flowering season right now. Across 12 hectares of pine forest, countless rhododendron bushes are in bloom, outdoing each other in their floral splendour and variety of colours. Apparently there's even a variety called „Inga". I'll have to look for that one. :) So off we go - everyone find the rhododendron most pleasing to the eye and heart! And the entry fee for adults is just LVL1. Read more: http://rododendri.lu.lv

2. On 5th and 6th June at the Open-Air Museum - the 40th Folk Applied Arts Fair with a market of folk craftspeople, performances by dance ensembles and musicians (ticket LVL3.50), and on Saturday evening a dance with „Labvēlīgais Tips" (ticket LVL2.50). Read more: http://www.brivdabasmuzejs.lv/

3. For those drawn to Eastern delights and belly dancing - to VEF Culture Palace, where on Saturday 5th June at 19:00 there will be an exotic dance concert „5 years with the East" (tickets LVL4–LVL10 - admittedly a bit steep). An Eastern market is also planned an hour before. More: http://bit.ly/aPsCNb

4. If distance is no obstacle, I invite you to head to Daugavpils, where this weekend not only the city celebrations „Daugavpils – 735" with many events will take place, but also the Latgale Song Festival. Recalling the feature film „Baigā vasara", we certainly remember scenes from the First Song Festival in Latgale, which took place in Daugavpils on 15th and 16th June 1940 and became the fateful last song festival in free Latvia. Events programme - http://bit.ly/9ajpmA

5. And if the weather is fine and you're drawn to the water, then head to the beach, right? In Ventspils this Saturday at 12:00 - Blue Flag Raising Ceremony at Ventspils Beach - free entry for all. Interestingly, the Ventspils beach was the first in the Baltic states, 12 years ago, to be granted the right to raise the Blue Flag, which recognises environmental cleanliness. No wonder - such a clean, well-kept and beautiful city. More about the event: http://bit.ly/djsCpX

A few photos from the rhododendron nursery, when we visited a couple of years ago on 2nd June: