Multitude of events as Latvia marks 1918 Independence Day

RIGA, Nov 18 - Latvia’s 95th birthday celebration will be an all-day happening with a full schedule of events, with, as usual, the capital Riga as focal point.

Already Saturday and Sunday, the celebration got under way in Riga with concerts at the venues: VEF Kulturas pils, "Maza gilde" and "Ziemelblazma". In "Kipsala" International Exposition Center, a folk-dance extravaganza "No zobena saule lçca" (The Sun Rises From the Sword) took place, featuring intricate formation of patterns and symbols by over 1,000 performers.
Another major concert will be heard today in Congress Center – a musical journey into Latvian history, titled "Mana valsts. Mana dziesma" (My Nation, My Song).

This morning, a multi-denominational service in Dome Cathedral will bless the day-long array of events. At 10.30, respects will be paid to the Freedom Monument - and "Milda", with bouquets and wreaths, but at 13.00, all attention is directed to the riverside thoroughfare between Akmens and Vansu bridges for the National Armed Forces parade.

At 19.00, at the Freedom Monument, a patriotic concert starring the chamber choir "Ave Sol", Professional Symphonic Band "Riga", and the singers/instrumentalists Gunta Davidcuka, Andris Ludvigs, Daumants Kalnins, Madars Kalnins, Juris Kristons, Kaspars Zemitis un Ainars Majors, and the folklore ensemble "Vilkachi". This will be followed by President Andris Berzins' live address to the nation at 20.

At 21.00, Latvians worldwide will join together in one voice for the national anthem "Dievs, sveti Latviju", capped by a sure-to-be-spectacular fireworks display high above the Daugava, with musical score by Janis Lusens.

The finale will be carried live by radio "SWH" and radio "SHW+", Latvijas Televizijas 1.kanâls (LTV1) and the "LNT" channel.
leta.lv

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