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From 21 August to 24 August, Riga will experience an unprecedented event –the world's leading researchers of the history the art of magic, collectors, and illusionists will take to various stages in the city. 10. The European Magic History Conference will be held in the Baltic States for the first time in its history, placing Riga alongside such cultural metropolises as London, Paris, Berlin and Vienna, the organisers of the congress, the illusionist theatre "Mystero", announced at a press conference today.
"This is the time when, in the best sense of the word, we can say with full responsibility - something like this has never been experienced in Riga! Illusionism is an art form with ancient traditions and is widespread throughout the world, while in Latvia we can be proud that our most famous illusionist masters, Dace and Enrico Pezolli, belong to the large and international family of magicians and researchers of the art of magic. Riga will be honoured to host the participants of the Magic History Conference, but it is even more satisfying that this event will bring an unprecedented aura to our city and create genuine joy for the residents and guests of Riga," says Vilnis Ķirsis, Chairman of the Riga City Council.
"I am glad that Latvia has something to be proud of. Since the 18th century, approximately 700 illusionists from different countries of the world (including those of Latvian origin) have performed here, and each of them has left an unforgettable experience and enriched our cultural environment. The art of illusionism has an important place in the history, present, and future of our culture. Thanks to such an event, we can illuminate it, bring it to the forefront, and confidently weave it into the fabric of world culture," says illusionist Dace Pezolli.
Over four days, more than 120 professionals from Europe, the USA and other countries will gather in Riga to share research, open stories and unique secrets of the magical arts. The extensive program will offer lecture series, reconstructions of historical tricks, engaging exhibitions, special performances, and films that will simultaneously illuminate both Latvian and global illusionist traditions. The events will be available in person to the participants of the conference, as well as inhabitants of the city, who will be invited to feel the magic in the city by attending both free events and being present at all coverage of the events in the social environment. The entire conference will be filmed and presented in a retrospective format.
The heart and central venue of the congress will be the illusionist theatre and museum “Mystero” in Riga (www.mystero.lv) – a unique place in the Northern Europe that connects the history, education and art of illusionism. The founders of the theatre and organisers of the conference, Dace and Enrico Pezolli, are internationally recognised artists and researchers whose work in 76 countries around the world and in preserving the cultural heritage of illusionism is highly appreciated worldwide.
The opening of the congress will take place in the historic Riga Circus building on 21 August, where the lecture “Illusionists in the History of the Riga Circus 1888–1916” will reveal fascinating stories about magicians who once performed in the Riga Circus building. The event will be enhanced by a multimedia performance "Dreamers", which will feature amazing, world-class performances by Latvian and foreign artists, including the famous clown Carillon from Italy.
From 22 August to 23 August, lectures by international representatives of the art of illusionism, historians, and researchers will take place at the theatre “Mystero”. Meanwhile, on 23 August, the thematic event "Magic Art in Cinema" will conjure up a special aura at the cinema “Splendid Palace”. The event will reveal how the art of magic is portrayed on the big screens, and a highlight will be a screening of the historic Harry Houdini film "Terror Island" accompanied by live piano playing. At the same time, an exhibition of historical illustrations about illusionist Harry Houdini, created by the Italian publishing house “Sergio Bonelli Editore”, will be opened in the magnificent lobby of the cinema “Splendid Palace”. The exhibition will be open for 10 days – from 19August to 27 August and is available to anyone interested for free during cinema opening hours.
Another culminating moment is expected with the performance of world-famous Italian illusionist Aurelio Paviato's "Secrets of the History of Illusionism" at the theatre "Mystero", in which historical tricks will come to life in a modern interpretation. The additional performance will be shown to low-income families in Pārdaugava on 24 August.
One of the free components of the congress, which will enrich the cultural space of Riga from 12 August to 12 September, will be the poster exhibition "From alchemy through charlatanism to the art of magic in Latvia", which will take place at the University of Latvia Library (10 Rūpniecības Street). Based on materials from the Manuscripts and Rare Books Collection of the University of Latvia Library, as well as historical posters and publications, the exhibition will offer viewers a unique insight into the quests of alchemists, the exploits of charlatans (including Caljostro's activities in Latvia), and testimonies of the world's greatest magicians performing in Latvia, with an additional focus on early forms of marketing and visual communication that were used to promote magic shows in Riga.
The congress is held in cooperation with the Riga City Council, the Riga Municipality Department of Education, Culture and Sports, the Italian Embassy in Latvia, the University of Latvia Library, Riga Circus, the cinema “Splendid Palace”, the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation (BAFF), the Researcher of the Latvian circus arts Lolita Lipinska, the International Women's Club in Riga, the Polish-Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Retro Auto Museum, Budimex and other Latvian and international partners.
More information and full programme: https://www.emhc2025.com/program. Media contact information: info@pecolli.lv
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Information was prepared by Ineta Miglāne, Project Coordinator, External Communication Division of the Communications Department of the Riga City Council, e-mail: ineta.miglane@riga.lv.
