10. The European Magic History Conference will take place in the Baltic States for the first time in its history. From 21 August to 24 August, Riga will experience an unprecedented event –the world's leading researchers of the history of the art of magic, collectors, and illusionists will take various stages in the city. This event is the result of a lot of hard work, placing Riga alongside cultural metropolises such as London, Paris, Berlin and Vienna.
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 art of magic. The extensive program will offer 16 lectures, reconstructions of historical tricks, engaging exhibitions, special performances, and films that will simultaneously illuminate both Latvian and global illusionist traditions. The live events will be open to congress participants, as well as to the citizens of the city, who will be invited to feel the breath of magic in the city. The Conference includes both paid and free events.
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, the 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 Conference will take place in the historic Riga Circus building on 21 August, where fascinating stories about magicians who once performed in the Riga Circus building will be revealed in the form of presentation “Illusionists in the History of the Riga Circus 1888–1916” (the presentation by L. Lipinska) The event will be enhanced by a multimedia performance “Dreamers”, which will feature amazing, world-class performances by Latvian and foreign artists.
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”. On 23 August, the new autumn season of Splendid Palace Cinema will open with the art of magic films. The season opening film 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. The accompaniment will be performed by pianist Rihards Plešanovs.
Along with the film, the exhibition of illustrations from the comic book “Martin Mistere” about illusionist Harry Houdini will be opened in the magnificent lobby of the “Splendid Palace”, created by the Italian publishing house “Sergio Bonelli Editore”. The exhibition will be open for 10 days – from 19 August to 29 August and is available to anyone interested for free during cinema opening hours.
Thanks to the support of the Riga Municipality and the Embassy of Italy in Latvia, the Conference programme will feature one more highlight – the performance of the world-famous Italian illusionist Aurelio Paviato – “Mysteries of Illusionist History” – at the theatre “Mystero”, where historical tricks will come to life in a modern interpretation.
A unique event will be an exhibition – a fascinating journey through the history of magic ‘Mystery and Illusion in Latvia in the 17th-20th centuries’ at the University Library (10 Rūpniecības Street) from 12 August to 12 September. Based on materials from the Manuscripts and Rare Books Collection of the University of Latvia Library “Bibliotheca Rigensis”, as well as rich stocks of Misiņš Library – books, 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 support of the Embassy of Israel for the premiere of the documentary film “3 Books - Gunther Dammann’s Stories” by Freddie Rutz on 24 August at the Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga during the Conference is also important. Charity performances and a charity auction will also take place during the Conference.
The Conference will be held in collaboration with the Riga Municipality, the Academic Library of the University of Latvia, Circus Art History Expert - Lolita Lipinska, Dr.philol. A.Taimiņš, Uldis Zariņš, Riga Circus, Splendid Palace Cinema, Embassy of Italy in Latvia, Baltic-American Freedom Foundation (BAFF), Embassy of Israel in Latvia, International Women's Club of Riga (IWCR), Polish - Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PLLV), Opera Hotel, Retro Car Museum, Publishing House “Sergio Bonelli Editore” in Italy, Publishing House “Zvaigzne ABC”, as well as with other Latvian and international partners.
More information:www.emhc2025.com/program and tickets for events: https://mystero.lv/event/