This year, from June 23 at 20.00 to June 24 at 04.30, Riga's residents and guests are invited to three venues: Grīziņkalns Park, Dzegužkalns and Mežaparks Green Theatre - for a lively Midsummer celebration.
The Midsummer Night event "From Sun to Sun" in Grīziņkalns will be rocked by folklore group "Kokle" and post-folk band "Rikši" from 20.00. At 22.20 there will be a sunset and bonfire lighting with folklore groups and Katrīna Dimanta, followed by a concert by Katrīna Dimanta with the group "Zeltrači". After midnight, Midsummer children will be entertained by a DJ and the drum and bagpipe band "Auļi". After two o'clock, everyone will have the opportunity to move their legs at the party with the band "DeLight", while at 3.45 the Midsummer Night ethno set with DJ Kaspars Zaviļeiski will take place. At 4.30 there will be a joint sunrise ceremony and the event will close. The Midsummer event in Grīziņkalns will be hosted by the attractive actor Artūrs Krūzkops.
As usual, Midsummer celebrations will take place in a traditional atmosphere at Dzegužkalns. At 20.00 opening it will be opened by Midsummer Mother Zoja Heimrāte and Midsummer Father Edgars Lipors together with members of the Riga Dance Club and ethno company “Zeidi”. From 20.30 to 22.00, the traditional folk song singing and saluting will take place, led by the ethno company "Zeidi", and from 22.30 to 23.00, post-folklore group "Iļģi" will entertain the gathered people. From 23.00 until midnight, everyone will be invited to take part in the traditional big dance tour, led by Ilga Reizniece and the band "Iļģi", and dancers from the Riga Dance Club will also teach dance steps. After midnight, a solemn celebration of all who are named Jānis will take place, followed by the dispersal of darkness and dancing to the accompaniment of the ethno band "Ogas". From 1.30 to 3.00, the hardiest will continue to wait for the sunrise with the musical group "Rahu", while at 3.00 the sunrise will be welcomed with the New Folklore Group "Jauno Jāņu Orķestris".
The Green Theatre of Mežaparks will welcome all the Midsummer celebrants from 20.00 with the "Zaļumballes orkestris" and soloist Normunds Rutulis. At 21.00 the listeners and spectators will be entertained by the charming singer Ainars Bumbiers, while at from 22.30 everyone will be entertained by singers from Liepāja: Andris Ērglis, Fēlikss Ķiģelis, Jānis Strazds and others in the programme “Liepājnieku zelta dziesmas” (Golden songs of Liepāja people). Closer to midnight, around 23.40, the popular band "Credo", Juris Kaukulis and the band "Dzelzs vilks" will perform. Later, at just after 02.00, the bands "Pirmais kurss" and "Crazy Dolls" will provide fun and entertainment, followed by the Sunrise Ritual at just after 04.00. The event will be hosted by actors Ieva Aniņa and Ainārs Ančevskis.
Free entry to all events. Traditional festive food and refreshments will be available for purchase at the venues
You can find out more about Midsummer events in Riga on the website www.kultura.riga.lv and by following the information on the Riga City Council’s social media pages “Rīga” and “Rīgā notiek”.
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.