Riga update nov 13

European Union Program

Riga Latvia

Latvia At a glance  Politics: Latvia regained its independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Presence of a large ethnic Russian minority is a sensitive issue  Economy: Latvia made a rapid transformation to a market economy after independence International: Latvia is a member of the European Union and Nato Situated in north-eastern Europe with a coastline along the Baltic Sea, Latvia has borders with Estonia, Russia, Belarus and Lithuania. It has linguistic links with Lithuania to the south and historical and religious ties with Estonia to the north.

Not much more than a decade after it declared independence following the collapse of the USSR, Latvia was welcomed as an EU member in May 2004. The move came just weeks after it joined NATO. These developments would have been extremely hard to imagine in the 51 years when Latvia - like Estonia and Lithuania was occupied by the Soviet Union.

Latvia was under foreign rule from the 13th until the 20th century, but managed to keep its unique language and rich cultural and especially musical traditions alive. After the First World War it declared independence from Russia, which recognized it in 1920.

Two decades later, following a pact between Stalin and Hitler, Soviet troops invaded in 1940 and Latvia was absorbed into the Soviet Union. Nazi forces pushed the Soviets back in 1941 but the Red Army returned in 1944 and remained for half a century. During the Soviet period Latvia underwent heavy industrialization, and experienced a big influx of immigrants from other parts of the USSR, mainly Russia.

About a quarter of the population is Russian-speaking and the rights of this section of society have been a thorny issue since independence. Government reforms introduced in 2004 to restrict the use of the Russian language in schools remain controversial. Legislation on citizenship was toughened up in 2006. Candidates who fail a Latvian language test three times will be denied citizenship. People without citizenship are entitled neither to vote nor to obtain an EU passport.

Like its Baltic neighbors, in the decade after independence Latvia made a rapid transformation to embrace the free market. Latvia's economy grew by 50% between 2004 and 2007 but the global financial crisis of 2008-9 hit the country hard, and the former Baltic tiger endured one of the worst recessions in the EU. The social turmoil triggered by the financial crisis led to the fall of the Godmanis government in February 2009. By January 2010, unemployment had soared to 20%, prompting fears of further political instability.

Deep public spending cuts introduced by the subsequent Dombrovskis government led to discontent at home, but impressed international lenders enough to earn Latvia an IMF/European Union 7.5bn euro ($10bn) bailout. This has helped Latvia's economic recovery, and it returned to growth in 2011. By late 2012, its economic revival was the EU's strongest. Unemployment, while falling, nonetheless remains high. The country is set to join the euro at the start of 2014, despite popular uncertainty about the move.

Despite a relatively successful economic transition, Latvia has been struggling with a steep population decline since independence, as young Latvians in particular seek opportunities abroad. Between 2000 and 2011, the population fell by about 13%.

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The Ultimate Riga Bucket-List: 

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Check out the Jugendstil (German art nouveau) spread throughout the city Visit the Mežaparks— you may find cotton candy :) See the handicrafts „village“ in the Kalnciema Quarter

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Try the chili lemon cake at DAD cafe in the heart of the Republic of Miera Street Where to eat: 

Teātra Bāra restorāns

In the courtyard of the New Riga Theater.

From 11am-4pm there is a 3,70 LVL lunch special!

Lāčplēša street 26 

Raw Garden

Seasonal vegan and vegetarian specialities...mmm!!!

Skolas iela 12 

Buffet Silts

Simple and tasty Latvian home cooking… served in buffet style! A must.

Dzirnavu Street 39 

Street Burgers

The talked-about burger joint in Riga. Cool graffiti on the building, too!

An old town with some distinct charm, you may find yourself falling in love with this post-Soviet city. I would urge you to wind your way through the old city, taking in the architecture, smells and sounds of the Latvian capital.

If you are feeling a little chilly while walking, try to stop in to some of the great, Riga cafes. A coffee or tea paired with a sweet pastry will surely warm you up. Here are a few good places to check out: Fazenda Cafe– a cozy cafe that looks like grandma‘s house (wood paneling galore!)

Nometnu Street 7 Goija Tea Room– Chinese, Moroccan and Indian teas with Middle Eastern sweets and a relaxed vibe Strēlnieku 1a Cafe Osiris– Cafe opened by former Opera director of Riga that also serves breakfast, lunch and dinner Krišjāņa Barona street 31 Want to catch a great view of the city? The Latvian Academy of Sciences (Latvijas Zinātņu Akadēmija) is located in the first skyscrape here in Latvia. It was opened in year 1961 and it was built on a cemetery.

The 107 meters high building has 21 storeys and a very interesting history but let’s get to the main attraction: the viewing platform.

The viewing platform of the Latvian Academy of Sciences is located on the 17th floor and that is like 65 meters above the ground. It’s offers a fascinating view over the Old Town, Pardaugava district and other parts of a city.

Admission is LVL 2,50 and is open 9am-9pm daily.

Brivibas Street 40

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Sights and Historical Places

Central Market Prāgas iela, Old Town The Central Market is located behind the bus station, and is one of the largest and cheapest markets in Latvia and Europe. The market is set up in a Soviet-era style, but the history of the market can be dated back to 1330. In the mid-1600s, Latvia was ruled by the Swedish, and at that time the market was flooded with over 1,000 merchants selling their goods from all over. In 1930 the market was moved to its present location to be closer to the bus and railway station because those were now becoming the main sources of transport for goods. Today there are over 1,250 vendors in this still-flourishing market.

Freedom Monument Brīvības Bulvāris This monument was designed by the famous Latvian architect Karlis Zale and was constructed in 1935 as a memorial for the soldiers who died in the Latvian Independence War from 1918-1920. The inscription on the monument reads ‘Tēvzemei un Brīvībai,’ or in English, ‘For Fatherland and Freedom.’ The bronze casting of a woman (fondly nicknamed ‘Milda’ by the locals) holds up three golden stars in her hands.

The stars, which are facing west, symbolize the three Latvian regions of Latgale, Kurzeme, and Vidzeme.

During the Soviet occupation, it was illegal to visit or place flowers at the monument, with the punishment being deportation to Siberia. The Latvian independence movement started in 1987 when over 5,000 people illegally placed flowers at this monument in honor of those who had died in Siberian work camps. There is a guard that stands sentinel at the monument from 9am until 8pm, with an hourly changing of the guard.

House of Blackheads Rats Laukums (Old Riga) First mentioned in 1334, this building was owned by the Great Guild. In the 15th century, the house was rented out to the Blackheads Merchant Guild and became their property in 1713. The Blackheads were an organization of unmarried foreign merchants, existing in several medieval Baltic towns. The Gothic building was destroyed in 1941 but has now been rebuilt for the celebration of Riga’s 800th anniversary.

Rīga Castle 3 Pils laukums The Riga Castle was founded in 1330 on the banks of the River Daugava. The castle has been rebuilt and expanded through the different occupations of Riga over the centuries. In 1938, the Latvian government claimed the castle to be its residence, and today, it is the official residence of the President of Latvia.

There is also a museum to visit in the castle (cf. Museums).

The Three Brothers Mazā Pils 17, 19, and 20 (Old Riga) The ‘Three Brothers’ are the best examples of residential buildings of medieval Riga. The houses were built between the 15th and 18th centuries, the oldest being the ‘White Brother,’ and the youngest the ‘Yellow Brother.’ These buildings are some of Europe’s best examples of medieval architecture probably only second to the Golden Lane in Prague.

Riga Television Tower The Riga Television tower was built between 1979 and 1986 by the USSE, and remains the tallest structure in the Baltic countries as well as the European Union. It stands 368.5m tall, and is the 12th tallest tower in the world. There is an observation deck at 97m, which allows you to see the city as well as the Gulf of Riga on a clear day. It started broadcasting in 1986, and can withstand winds up to 98mph without any noticeable vibration. The tower is located on Zaķusala Island.

Opening Hours: October to May from 10am-5pm Monday to Saturdays, Admission: Adults LVL 2,60

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St. Roland Statue In the 14th century, Roland’s statues appeared all over Northern Germany as a symbol of justice and freedom. He was considered to be a judge, defender of the accused and therefore his statue was placed in Town Hall Square in front of the Guilds of Hanseatic cities. As a result of ‘injuries’ sustained during these, it had to be repaired several times and on 11 December 1896, a 6.3m high stone statue replaced it. Today in the center of the square you can see its replica. It is interesting to note that the pointed ends of Roland’s sword was the point from which different distances in Riga as well as the whole country were measured.

Mežaparks Mežaparks is located in north central Riga, and is known in German as Kaiserwald. There are large residential houses that were once inhabited by pre-war elites in summer. During World War II, the Nazis set up a concentration camp in the park for Jews, Gypsies, communists, and Nazi opposition. Many of those

Museums The Museum of Occupation of Latvia Strēlnieku laukums 1 The Museum of Occupation of Latvia opened in 1993. It is meant to be an exhibition illustrating the international agreements and documents of the two totalitarian regimes that shaped the history of Latvia.

Opening Hours: Tue-Sun, 11am-5pm Admission: Voluntary Donation. Camera use: LVL 2 National History Museum of Latvia 3 Pils laukums Visitors can view the evolution of Latvia and its people from the Stone Age to present day. The exhibits display a variety of themes - ancient times, medieval Riga, peasants and manors in the 18th and 19th centuries, and so on. You can also see the expressions of art nouveau in urban interior (from the turn of the 20th century), as well as the foundation of the Republic of Latvia in 1918, and the beginning of Soviet times in 1940. The permanent exhibits include the history of education in Latvia, money in Latvia through centuries, and Sacral art.

The museum is temporarily closed. However, you can still visit the Museum Park of Araiši (9am-4pm, Wed-Sun) and the Dauderi (11am-5pm, Wed-Sun) Museum of Riga’s History and Navigation 4 Palasta iela This museum shows how Riga transformed from a small settlement on the bank of the river Ridzene into a big port city. The second display illustrates the history and the development of nautical navigation. You can take a closer look at the lifestyle of a typical Riga citizen living during the times of the First Republic and see the historical artifacts that have been excavated in Riga over the last few years.

Opening Hours: Daily, 10am-5pm, Admission: LVL 1 Museum „Jews in Latvia“ 6 Skolas iela, third floor (Latvian Society of Jewish Culture) This museum was created in 1990 when it became possible to preserve evidence of the Holocaust and Soviet repressions. Its collection consists of 10,000 unique items, showing ways of life, traditions, public activities, achievements, and the tragic history of Jews in Latvia during the 18th-20th centuries.

Opening Hours: Sunday-Thursday 12pm-5pm Admission: Free

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Religious Sights St. Peters Church 19 Skāmu Iela (Old Riga) This church was built in 1209 and was meant to be a church for the people. The church is one of the best examples of Gothic architecture in the Baltics, and was intended to be the main church in town. The current church tower was built in 1746, with previous ones getting struck by lightning six times and collapsing twice. Before World War II, this church was the highest wooden building in Europe. In 1973, the tower was restored most recently by the Soviets adding an elevator and observation tower for visitors.

Dome Cathedral Doma Laukums (Old Riga) Also known as St. Jacob‘s Cathedral, the Dome Cathedral was founded at the beginning of the 13th century by Latvia’s Teutonic conquerors under Bishop Albert. The cathedral is the largest cathedral in the Baltics, and has become an icon of Old Town in Riga. The cathedral has been destroyed and rebuilt many times, so presently it is a composite of different architectural styles. The cathedral’s last reconstruction took place in 1776 when the tower was raised to the height of 90m. The famous organ of the Dome cathedral was made in 1884, and is the biggest organ in the world with 6,718 pipes.

The Old Synagogue Old Town, Peitavas 7/8, Vecrīga Built in 1905, his is the only synagogue in Riga that survived World War II. It is one of a few ceremonial buildings constructed in the manner of Art Nouveau. Ancient Egyptian motifs – stylized palm-branches and lotus flowers – decorate the building. With the support of the European Union, the Latvian State, and the Latvian Council of Jewish Communities the synagogue was thoroughly renovated in 2007-2008.

Nativity Cathedral Brīvības bulv 23, New Town This Russian Orthodox Church was built between 1876 and 1883. It is the largest Orthodox cathedral in the Baltics, and was built under Tsar Alexander II. During the 1960s, the Soviet forces converted the cathedral into a planetarium, but since Latvian independence in 1991 it has been restored into a functioning cathedral.

Food Latvian cuisine typically consists of agricultural products, and meat features in most of the dishes. Since Latvia is situated on the east coast of the Baltic Sea, fish dishes are also often served.

Latvian cuisine has been influenced by the neighboring countries. Common ingredients in Latvian recipes are found locally, such as potatoes, wheat, barley, cabbage, onions, eggs, and pork. Latvian food is generally quite fatty, and uses few spices. A typical example would be boiled grey peas with pieces of bacon. A traditional Latvian cheese is Ķimeņu siers (caraway cheese). Other dishes are borshch (beet soup), rasols (potato salad), and sauerkraut. Like many East European countries Latvia has its own version of pīrāgi (dumplings). Pickled mushrooms are also a Latvian speciality.

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Transportation Taxis in Riga can be identified by special taxi lights on top of the vehicle and yellow license plates, which begin with TX or TE. Taxis must be equipped with a meter, as well as the price per kilometer must be clearly displayed. When stepping into a taxi, you must follow along whether the meter is turned on. Do not use illegal taxi services, thus preventing being conned. Illegal taxis do not have the special yellow license plates. When paying for taxi services, ask for a receipt, which guarantees honest service.

The maximum daytime taxi tariff is up to LVL 0.50 (EUR 0.70) per kilometer. The cost of stepping into a taxi is up to LVL 1.50 (EUR 2.15). Taxis are almost always available by major hotels, shopping centers and train stations.

There are several ways to hail a taxi in Riga: locating one which is parked with its lights in the city, stopping one on the street, or calling one out. When calling out a taxi through a dispatcher, you are guaranteed the best service.

“Baltic Taxi” +371 2000 85 00 “Red Cab” +371 8000 13 13 “Avoiss” +371 2554 45 55

Helpful Latvian Phrases yes no please thank you good morning good afternoon goodbye I don’t understand.

Do you speak English?

Já Né Lúdzu Paldies Labrít Labdien Uz redzés anos Es nesaprotu.

Vai jús runájat angliski?

I don’t speak Latvian.

Es nerunáju latviski.

jah neh loohdzoo paldeeass labreet labdeean ooz redzehshanwas es nesaprwatoo vai yoohss roonahyat angliski ess neroonayoo latviski

Helpful Russian Phrases

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Conversion Rate: 1 LVL= 1.42 Euro 1 LVL= 1.91 US Dollar

It is NOT safe to drink the tap water.