However informative and brief I am about this annual event in Old Riga, it is without a doubt, for me, an occasion for the joy of life. Traditionally, two days in June, in the picturesque inner courtyard of Konventa Sēta, there is an opportunity to taste many different wines and listen to lovely music. Here, then, are a few shots and observations from it all.
This year's was thoroughly cool and without any particular surprises or discoveries. The announced main theme - Latvia and travel - was, in my view, very weakly addressed. Museums largely made do with their permanent exhibitions, not thinking of anything additional to engage or address visitors - in other words, they didn't make an effort.
On Monday evening, 30 March, we went to the New Riga Theatre to attend a concert by the celebrated piano virtuoso Jautrīte Putniņa. The musician's mastery is remarkable - her nimble fingers and ability to convey different moods to the audience are extraordinary. Despite her considerable age of 80, the piano virtuoso holds extensive sections of the score in her memory with ease. I must say, if the belief that music can heal is true, then I genuinely underwent a course of recovery.
On the evening of Saturday, 21 March this year, we attended a solo concert by Andris Kārkliņš - Latvia's only flamenco guitarist - at the Riga House of Art Workers. Listening, I thought that for a Latvian soul on such a grey and damp spring evening, it was almost too rich - that one could initially become bewildered by such a dense bouquet of sound. But when the guitar fell silent, you immediately wanted to listen more and more. Urged on by the audience's applause, the artist had to return to the stage at least three more times after his performance, as everyone was left with a certain taste for more.
The embankment was full of spectators. The cold wind buffeted the skirts of those who had come. Some held red-white-red flags, others cameras and photographic equipment. Everyone craned their necks to catch even a glimpse of the proud defenders of the fatherland marching to the festive march of the accompanying brass band. And there they came...
A manifestation of contemporary culture through the length of a night. Night is able to provoke unexpected ideas, allows surprising experiments to develop, and offers a different perspective on familiar things. Darkness feeds human imagination.
Last night in Cēsis, at Vienības Square, thanks to the initiative and organisational efforts of L Tips Ltd., the disco music of the 80s and 90s rang out. Like a refreshing balm for the soul of the thirty-somethings!
This year we used a slightly different tactic for visiting Museum Night events than in previous years. On the evening of the 17th of May we headed to the peripheries - Pārdaugava, Sarkandaugava, Hanzas Street, Lāčplēša Street, Mežciems. The result: we saw a great deal, heard a great deal, tried out many things, and were relatively tired.