For the fourth day now I've been battling the seasonal cold - sneezing, coughing, blowing my nose. In short, the usual: first some unpleasant chills, then a sore throat, followed by near-total nasal blockage, until finally everything is crowned by a headache and the irritability it brings. Some will say it's an ordinary case caused by careless dressing for the weather or inattention to draughts. Others might point to the body's somatic response to some inner anxiety brought on by anticipated changes. Either way - a cold is unpleasant, even disruptive. And the thought that it will last at least a week is no comfort at all. So I decided to share some ways I get through the onset of autumn and a cold.
The contemporary culture forum "White Night 2011" is taking place in Riga for the sixth time this year. This time on the night of 10th to 11th September. This year's motto: "Say neither yes nor no, neither white nor black!" The programme features 65 art and culture projects, mainly concentrated in the Centre, Old Riga, Andrejsala, Spīķeri, the VEF area and various parts of Pārdaugava.
We watched the film „Mr. Popper's Penguins" (2011) at Multikino in Riga Plaza on the very second day after its Riga premiere - thanks, of course, to the main characters: six gentoo penguins. Mr. Popper unknowingly repeats his parents' pattern, separating from his wife and two children whom he now only sees once a week. But this penguin episode brings the family back together and makes them understand and re-examine their value hierarchy, in which both a successful career and family are measured, as well as each person's selfishness and ability to step back from it.
From 8 July to 2 October 2011 at the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design (Skārņu iela 10/20, Riga), visitors can see the exhibition from the collection of fashion historian Alexander Vasiliev from Paris, titled „From Mini to Maxi". It is the third such exhibition in Riga and is dedicated to the fashion of the 1960s. Two years ago there was "Victorian Fashion", and last year - "Art Deco Style - Interwar Fashion" (I regret not going). Based on reviews from those who have seen it, it is a very worthwhile and informationally rich exhibition. An opportunity to, as if stepping into a time machine, explore the realities of different eras, fashion items and accessories.
I recommend a new, interesting web project - www.partikasguru.lv - which is essentially a food guide with aggregated information from various sources about one essential part of our lives - food. Here, information is updated daily on food quality, consumer prices, recipes, product groups, seasonality and its effect on product variation in our diet, and more. The main advantage of this site is that everything is in one place, easily browsable and findable - by article sections, keywords or using the search tool.
Across Latvia from 11 May to 9 June 2011, a signature drive is underway where residents can sign in support of the Constitutional amendments proposed by "Visu Latvijai" and "Tēvzemei un brīvībai"/LNNK, which would mandate teaching only in Latvian in state and municipal schools. We have signed and encourage everyone else not to be idle and to stand up for the rights of the state language!
All flamenco fans are warmly invited next Saturday, 28 May 2011 at 18:00, to the annual concert of dance club „Duende" at the independent theatre „Skatuve" (Maskavas iela 108/110). Performing will be „Duende" dancers with various flamenco styles, guests from the Daugavpils flamenco dance studio, as well as Argentine tango and contemporary dance performers.
Very soon - this coming Saturday, May 14th - museums across Riga and all of Latvia will open for a special night exhibition. Museum Night is taking place here for the seventh time and I am tremendously happy about this tradition. This year's main theme, or motto, is Neighbours. As I understand it, the theme will be explored both in the narrower sense of neighbours who live just beyond the wall, and in the broader global sense - neighbouring countries. To help decide which direction to explore the neighbourhood, the event programmes are below.
This weekend we decided to treat ourselves and headed to Sigulda, where we took advantage of the special "Spring Awakening" offer at hotel „Ezeri", which included an overnight stay in a double room in the „Flower House" and unlimited use of the sauna-pool complex.
This weekend, from 8th to 10th April at Ķīpsala, the exhibition „Intertextil Balticum 2011" will take place, this year gathering a large number of handcraft masters, fashion accessory designers and artists.
The exhibition organisers have this year reserved a special place in the international textile industry exhibition for those who make various garments and accessories by hand - in just one or a few copies. Visitors will be able to both view and purchase garments and accessories made in various techniques, participate in masterclasses and simply spend time well in a creative atmosphere.
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