For the third year in a row, Riga City Council expresses its support to Ukraine, which continues to suffer from Russia’s military aggression, and invites people to participate in support activities and events to take place in the city. On 24 February, they will be able to attend the Together till Victory! rally, as well as the Together with Ukraine and "Stop the War" charity concerts. In solidarity with the people of Ukraine, the facade of the Riga Congress Centre will feature a special audiovisual story, and special lighting in the colours of the Ukrainian flag will be set up at the City Hall and the Freedom Monument.
The facade of the Riga Congress Centre will become the canvas for the #WESTANDWITHUKRAINE audiovisual projection dedicated to the support of Ukraine, created by the internationally renowned Czech light artist Alex Dowis. One of the main features of his work is making graffiti with fluorescent paint, which makes it possible to create distinctive and expressive pieces of light art. The projection will appear on 23, 24, and 25 February, between 18:00 and 23:00.
On 24 February, from sunset to sunrise, the Riga Municipal Monument Agency will illuminate the Freedom Monument in the colours of the Ukrainian flag; every evening since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, blue and yellow colours have been used in the lighting of the City Hall facade.
This year’s graphic solutions for the campaign to support Ukraine displayed in the city were created in conjunction with Ukrainians living in Riga. Ukrainian refugees in Riga were asked to complete sentences in Latvian, thus expressing facets of their wartime identity. This resulted in posters put up all over the city showing statements by Ukrainians expressing not only what they would want, but also what they can do and what the do in Riga.
On 24 February, the bells of the City Hall (Rātsnams) will also join the events with a melody in support of Ukraine, playing the song ‘Prayer for Ukraine’ (Духовний Гімн України) 9:00, 12:00, 15:00, and 18:00, instead of the usual tunes.
A ‘Together till Victory!’ rally will be held at the Freedom Monument on 24 February, starting at 12:30. The organisers of the event (Civic Alliance — Latvia) emphasise that we are approaching the third year of Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine, solidarity and support must be even stronger this year. Latvian and Ukrainian officials and public activists will address the participants of the event. At the same time, candle workshops and donation stations for clothes and other personal objects will operate at Bastejkalns.
The participants of the rally are welcome to bring Ukrainian and Latvian flags, to wear the colours of the Ukrainian flag, as well as yellow and blue flowers and candles that they will be able to lay at the Freedom Monument and the Embassy of Ukraine.
On 24 February at 15:00, a church service will take place at the Riga Cathedral in honour of Ukraine and to commemorate those fallen in the war.
Meanwhile, at 18:30, the National Library of Latvia will host the Together with Ukraine charity concert. Prominent Latvian and Ukrainian singers and musicians will join together in a musical event to express their solidarity and support for the people of Ukraine. The event will feature performances by the Ogas ethno band, Ralfs Eilands, Andrejs Osokins, Jānis Stībelis, Marija Naumova, Miks Galvanovskis, Kārlis Kazāks, Sudden Lights, Intars Busulis, as well as ‘Abonementa orķestris’, Markus Riva, Viktorija Prituļaka, and Anastasia Vasilenko. Proceeds from the event will go to support Ukraine. The Embassy of Ukraine in Latvia and the Ziedot.lv charity foundation will choose the recipients of the donations. Tickets can be purchased at the outlets of ‘Biļešu paradīze’ and at https://www.bilesuparadize.lv/lv/event/137229
In solidarity with the people of Ukraine, the municipality also encourages you to attend Stop the War acoustic concert by the Riga Reggae band, which will take place in the Imanta culture centre, on 24 February, at 19:00. The band performs its own works and covers compositions by others, dealing with such socially important but simple and easily understood values, such as peace, love, freedom, compassion, equality, and joy. Free invitations can be booked at ‘Biļešu paradīze’ outlets and at https://www.bilesuparadize.lv/lv/event/136363.
Information prepared by: Aira Ancāne, Project Coordinator at External Communication Division of the Riga City Council, email: aira.ancane@riga.lv
