For the fifth year running, the Great Latgalian Market took place at the ancient Ludza castle mound, traditionally on the eve of Midsummer. What invariably draws me to it is the naturalness and authenticity - in forms, in flavours, in sounds. One of the most positive ways in which pride in one's land, region, people, and their wisdom for living and joy in life can find expression.
The greatest crowd gathered at the stages where musicians were performing or sports competitions were taking place, such as tug-of-war. The tents in the centre of the park fared better, as did those producers who offered less commercial and unfiltered draught beer. Overall, the beer festival had nothing wrong with it. Plenty of everything, enough and tasty.
Overall, after the cleanup there remained a feeling of satisfaction when casting one's eyes over what had been accomplished, and also examining future project plans envisaging the development of Sarkandaugava and improvement of its environment, in which the district's residents and their demands for a clean, modern environment conducive to physical and mental health, while also rich in historical heritage, are the priority.
Life does not consist of tragedies alone, just as history is not made up only of wars and significant dates. Small animals and children - what could be called the "spam" of any photography competition - people not only being born, marrying, and dying, but also simply living: sleeping, eating, working. But even these seemingly simple actions can be given a moment, a flavour of the era, which was also visible in the exhibited works.
It is good that the artists' works and the artists themselves speak. To some extent I, as a viewer, a listener, an observer, engage in the complete exploitation of the artist. You see, they create and then they explain as well. But one thing was clear today: I left the exhibition far richer than I would have left as a simple observer of the works.
I would rather call it a walk through the Sarkandaugava district on a sunny-rainy Saturday afternoon. A special walk that brought together around a hundred people from the local and other Riga districts to listen, at eleven stopping points, to readings of works by up-and-coming and now well-known poets and prose writers.
Riga is this year celebrating its 811th birthday for three days running, from 17 to 18 August. The event programme is rich, and the weather is holding reasonably warm. This time we only managed to walk through the central celebration venues. Below is a photo glimpse of the festivities at the Esplanāde, Bastejkalns, Vērmaņdārzs, Dome Square, Līvu Square, and Town Hall Square.
Yesterday, 28 July, on Roja beach at the large screen right on the sea shore, starting from 22:00, two black-and-white art films could be watched. The evening - or more precisely, the night - was fantastic: in the fresh sea air, settled on blankets brought along or folding chairs, sipping beer or cider, the audience spent four hours. For us it was a wonderful rest and cinematic pleasure.
For the fourteenth year running, the Wine Festival took place in Sabile from 26 to 29 July. Despite air temperatures exceeding 30 degrees at midday, there was no shortage of vendors, musicians, entertainers, or visitors.
It is a pleasure to see the Latgalians, who have made the long journey and, it must be said, are quite well represented at the festival. Right at the entrance from the corner of Merķelis and Barons Street, the people of the Ludza Crafts Centre have set up. Rag rugs are spread out in the tent, and a fire burns in the improvised blacksmith's forge. Nearby, clay pots bask in the sun on a twig fence.
