The Latvian National Opera (LNO) premiered the full-length Latvian-language opera “Valentīna”, by composer Arturs Maskats and libretto co-author Liāna Langa this weekend, based on motifs taken from the life-story of esteemed cinema arts scholar and theatre critic Valentīna Freimane, LSM.lv wrote.

The Culture Capital year began its final month with the launch of the 2014 Riga International Film Festival Tuesday, featuring a ten-day program of 139 screenings of top recent and classic European productions until December 12, LSM reports.

LSM - Two Amur (Siberian) tiger cubs were born at the Riga Zoo this summer, but their keepers only informed the public about the happy addition to the fold Wednesday.

LSM - More people than ever witnessed the amazing sights and sounds of the annual 'Staro Riga' (Riga shines) illuminations from November 14 to 18, according to estimates from Riga City Council.

On the night of Friday 14 November the streets of Riga will be once again be a blaze of color as the city embarks on its annual 'Staro Riga' (Riga shines) festival.

Iconoclastic French artist ORLAN landed in Riga this week as part of the Culture Capital 2014 events to host a public lecture and open her exhibit Friday at Old Town’s Museum of Decorative Arts and Design.

Culture Minister Dace Melbarde and representatives of the Latvian Contemporary Arts Museum Foundation signed a letter of intent Thursday committing to construction of a new building to house such a museum, the lack of which is a current blank spot on the national cultural landscape, LSM reports.

Latvia's Janis Jonevs was named as one of the best young writers in Europe Wednesday and co-winner of a prestigious literary prize at the Frankfurt book fair.

The craft and textile arts of crochet have combined with advanced geometry, information technology and social entrepreneurship at the contemporary arts center “kim?” at the Spīķeri warehouse district, lsm.lv reports. Here since October 3 visitors can view the works of Daina Taimiņa and her multiple disciples in yarn.

Andris Nelsons, wunderkind Latvian conductor, led his first concert as the new music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) Saturday, delighting local classical music lovers who have waited almost four years for the vacancy to be filled, lsm.lv reports.