festivites
Here are some of the major festivities or holidays in Latvia:
1. Easter - Celebrated in March or April, depending on the lunar calendar. Latvians celebrate Easter with traditional rituals such as decorating eggs, preparing special meals, and attending church services.
2. Midsummer/Ligo/Jani - Celebrated on June 23-24, it is one of the most important and popular holidays in Latvia. People gather to enjoy bonfires, sing folk songs, dance traditional dances, eat traditional foods, and drink beer.
3. Independence Day - Celebrated on November 18, Latvians commemorate the country's independence from Soviet Russia in 1918 with parades, ceremonies, and cultural events.
4. Christmas - Celebrated on December 24-26, Latvians celebrate Christmas with traditional decorations, meals, and gifts. On Christmas Eve, families gather for a festive meal that includes dishes like roast pork, sauerkraut, and gingerbread.
5. New Year's Eve - Celebrated on December 31, Latvians typically celebrate with fireworks, champagne, and parties with friends and family.
In addition, there are several other festivals and events throughout the year that celebrate Latvian culture, such as the Song and Dance Festival (held every five years), the Latvian National Opera Festival, and the Riga International Film Festival.
seasons
Latvia has four distinct tourist seasons:
1. Spring Season (April to June): The weather during spring is cool with occasional rainfall. This season is perfect for nature lovers and those seeking outdoor activities such as hiking and cycling.
2. Summer Season (July to August): The summer months are the peak season for tourism in Latvia. The weather is warm and sunny, making it an ideal time for beach activities, festivals, and cultural events.
3. Autumn Season (September to November): The autumn season is characterized by vibrant foliage and milder temperatures. This season is perfect for those interested in cultural events and exploring historic sites.
4. Winter Season (December to March): The winter months in Latvia are cold and snowy, but this season is perfect for winter sports enthusiasts and those who enjoy Christmas markets and other winter festivities.
Recommendations:
- Pack clothes appropriate for the season and be prepared for sudden changes in weather.
- Check for seasonal events and festivals to plan your trip accordingly.
- Book accommodations and transportation in advance, especially during peak season.
visa
Here are the special VISA rules for visiting Latvia based on citizenship:
1. Citizens of EU/EEA countries, as well as Switzerland, can enter Latvia without a visa and stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
2. Citizens of certain non-EU/EEA countries, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, and South Korea, can also enter Latvia without a visa and stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
3. Citizens of other non-EU/EEA countries are required to obtain a visa before entering Latvia.
The cost of obtaining a short-stay Schengen visa for Latvia is approximately €80. However, the cost may vary depending on the country where you apply and your specific circumstances. It's recommended to check with the Latvian embassy or consulate in your country for the updated information on fees.
souvenirs
1. Amber jewelry - prices can range from €10 for simple earrings to €100+ for more intricate designs. Best places to buy are Riga Central Market, Old Town and craft markets.
2. Linen products - items like tablecloths, napkins, towels, and clothing made of linen can be found in various souvenir shops around Riga and other tourist spots. Prices vary depending on the item and quality but expect to pay between €15-€50.
3. Woodcrafts - handmade wooden items such as spoons, bowls, and candlesticks are popular souvenirs. Prices vary depending on the size and wood type, but typically range from €5-€50. Look for them at local markets or souvenir shops.
4. Black balsam - a traditional Latvian herbal liqueur that comes in various flavors and strengths. A small bottle (200 ml) can cost around €10-€15, while larger bottles may cost up to €30. Available at most supermarkets and liquor stores.
5. Handmade ceramics - plates, bowls, cups, and other ceramic items can be found in many souvenir shops and markets. Prices start from around €10 and can go up to €50 or more depending on the intricacy of the design and quality of the piece.
6. Traditional Latvian mittens - made from wool and featuring colorful patterns and designs, these mittens are warm and stylish. Prices vary depending on the complexity of the pattern and materials used, but typically start from €15 and can go up to €50. Look for them at local markets and souvenir shops.
If you have 1 week
Great, I'd be happy to suggest a one-week itinerary for you in Latvia! Here are some places and activities that I recommend:
Day 1: Start your trip by exploring the historic Old Town of Riga. Take a walking tour to see the beautiful architecture and learn about the city's history. Make sure to visit St. Peter's Church for panoramic views of the city.
Day 2: Head to Sigulda, a small town located in the Gauja National Park. Explore the medieval castle ruins and take a cable car ride for breathtaking views of the surrounding forests and hills.
Day 3: Visit the seaside town of Jurmala for a day of relaxation and beach fun. Enjoy the white sand beaches, take a swim, and indulge in some spa treatments at one of the many resorts in the area.
Day 4: Take a day trip to Cesis, another charming town in the Gauja National Park region. Visit the medieval castle, walk around the cobblestone streets, and enjoy the cozy cafes and shops.
Day 5: Go on a hike in the beautiful scenery of the Gauja National Park. There are several trails to choose from, ranging from easy to challenging. You can also go canoeing or biking in the park if you prefer.
Day 6: Visit the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum to learn more about the traditional way of life in Latvia. See old farmhouses, windmills, and other historic buildings, and try some traditional Latvian foods.
Day 7: End your trip with a visit to the Art Nouveau district of Riga. Stroll around the streets to admire the stunning Art Nouveau architecture and visit the Art Nouveau museum to learn more about this unique style.
I recommend these places because they offer a great mix of culture, history, nature, and relaxation. Latvia is a beautiful country with so much to offer, and these places will give you a taste of its diverse attractions. Have a great trip!
If you have 2 weeks
Wow, Latvia! What a beautiful country with so much history and culture. Here's a two-week itinerary for you that will allow you to explore both the natural beauty and urban life of this amazing country:
Week 1:
Day 1-2: Visit Riga, the capital city of Latvia. Explore its old town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and take in the beautiful architecture and vibrant street life. Don't miss out on visiting St. Peter's Church and the Latvian National Museum of Art.
Day 3-4: Head to Sigulda, a town that boasts stunning mountainous landscapes, including the Gauja National Park. You can take a hike or bike ride through the park and visit the Turaida Museum Reserve, which is home to the Turaida Castle ruins.
Day 5-6: Drive to Cēsis, a town with a rich medieval history. Wander through the narrow streets and visit the Cēsis Castle complex. Also, don't miss the opportunity to hike along the Gauja River valley.
Day 7: Take a day trip to the seaside resort town of Jūrmala, located just outside Riga. Enjoy the sandy beaches and scenic views of the Gulf of Riga.
Week 2:
Day 8-9: Explore the coastal town of Liepāja, which has a unique charm and a rich musical heritage. Visit the Karosta Prison, a former military prison turned museum, and enjoy the beach at Karosta Beach.
Day 10-11: Spend a couple of days in the picturesque town of Kuldīga, which is known for its historic buildings and the Venta Waterfall, Europe's widest waterfall. You can also take a walk along the Alekšupīte River and visit the Kuldīga Old Town Hall.
Day 12-13: Drive to the town of Tērvete, where you can visit the Tērvete Nature Park and see the Tērvete Castle ruins. Additionally, take a stroll in the park's ancient forests and try out the adventure park activities.
Day 14: End your trip by returning to Riga and indulging yourself in some shopping, visiting the Central Market, or enjoying the lively nightlife.
I hope this itinerary gives you some ideas for your two weeks in Latvia. Enjoy your trip!
Culture
Traditional Latvian folklore, especially the dance of the folk songs, dates back well over a thousand years. More than 1.2 million texts and 30,000 melodies of folk songs have been identified.
Between the 13th and 19th centuries, Baltic Germans, many of whom were originally of non-German ancestry but had been assimilated into German culture, formed the upper class. They developed distinct cultural heritage, characterised by both Latvian and German influences. It has survived in German Baltic families to this day, in spite of their dispersal to Germany, the United States, Canada and other countries in the early 20th century. However, most indigenous Latvians did not participate in this particular cultural life. Thus, the mostly peasant local pagan heritage was preserved, partly merging with Christian traditions. For example, one of the most popular celebrations is Jāņi, a pagan celebration of the summer solstice—which Latvians celebrate on the feast day of St. John the Baptist.
In the 19th century, Latvian nationalist movements emerged. They promoted Latvian culture and encouraged Latvians to take part in cultural activities. The 19th century and beginning of the 20th century is often regarded by Latvians as a classical era of Latvian culture. Posters show the influence of other European cultures, for example, works of artists such as the Baltic-German artist Bernhard Borchert and the French Raoul Dufy. With the onset of World War II, many Latvian artists and other members of the cultural elite fled the country yet continued to produce their work, largely for a Latvian émigré audience.
The Latvian Song and Dance Festival is an important event in Latvian culture and social life. It has been held since 1873, normally every five years. Approximately 30,000 performers altogether participate in the event. Folk songs and classical choir songs are sung, with emphasis on a cappella singing, though modern popular songs have recently been incorporated into the repertoire as well.
After incorporation into the Soviet Union, Latvian artists and writers were forced to follow the socialist realism style of art. During the Soviet era, music became increasingly popular, with the most popular being songs from the 1980s. At this time, songs often made fun of the characteristics of Soviet life and were concerned about preserving Latvian identity. This aroused popular protests against the USSR and also gave rise to an increasing popularity of poetry. Since independence, theatre, scenography, choir music, and classical music have become the most notable branches of Latvian culture.
During July 2014, Riga hosted the eighth World Choir Games as it played host to over 27,000 choristers representing over 450 choirs and over 70 countries. The festival is the biggest of its kind in the world and is held every two years in a different host city.
Starting in 2019 Latvia hosts the inaugural Riga Jurmala Music Festival, a new festival in which world-famous orchestras and conductors perform across four weekends during the summer. The festival takes place at the Latvian National Opera, the Great Guild, and the Great and Small Halls of the Dzintari Concert Hall. This year features the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra and the Russian National Orchestra.
Latvian cuisine typically consists of agricultural products, with meat featuring in most main meal dishes. Fish is commonly consumed due to Latvia's location on the Baltic Sea. Latvian cuisine has been influenced by neighbouring 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.
Grey peas with speck are generally considered as staple foods of Latvians. Sorrel soup (skābeņu zupa) is also consumed by Latvians. Rye bread is considered the national staple.
Ice hockey is usually considered the most popular sport in Latvia. Latvia has had many famous hockey stars like Helmuts Balderis, Artūrs Irbe, Kārlis Skrastiņš and Sandis Ozoliņš and more recently Zemgus Girgensons, whom the Latvian people have strongly supported in international and NHL play, expressed through the dedication of using the NHL's All Star Voting to bring Zemgus to number one in voting. Dinamo Riga is the country's strongest hockey club, playing in the Latvian Hockey Higher League. The national tournament is the Latvian Hockey Higher League, held since 1931. The 2006 IIHF World Championship was held in Riga. The second most popular sport is basketball. Latvia has a long basketball tradition, as the Latvian national basketball team won the first ever EuroBasket in 1935 and silver medals in 1939, after losing the final to Lithuania by one point. Latvia has had many European basketball stars like Jānis Krūmiņš, Maigonis Valdmanis, Valdis Muižnieks, Valdis Valters, Igors Miglinieks, as well as the first Latvian NBA player Gundars Vētra. Andris Biedriņš is one of the most well-known Latvian basketball players, who played in the NBA for the Golden State Warriors and the Utah Jazz. Current NBA players include Kristaps Porziņģis, who plays for the Washington Wizards, Dāvis Bertāns, who plays for the Dallas Mavericks, and Rodions Kurucs, who last played for the Milwaukee Bucks. Former Latvian basketball club Rīgas ASK won the Euroleague tournament three times in a row before becoming defunct. Currently, VEF Rīga, which competes in EuroCup, is the strongest professional basketball club in Latvia. BK Ventspils, which participates in EuroChallenge, is the second strongest basketball club in Latvia, previously winning LBL eight times and BBL in 2013. Latvia was one of the EuroBasket 2015 hosts.
Other popular sports include football, floorball, tennis, volleyball, cycling, bobsleigh and skeleton. The Latvian national football team's only major FIFA tournament participation has been the 2004 UEFA European Championship.
Latvia has participated successfully in both Winter and Summer Olympics. The most successful Olympic athlete in the history of independent Latvia has been Māris Štrombergs, who became a two-time Olympic champion in 2008 and 2012 at Men's BMX.
In Boxing, Mairis Briedis is the first and only Latvian to date, to win a boxing world title, having held the WBC cruiserweight title from 2017 to 2018, the WBO cruiserweight title in 2019, and the IBF / The Ring magazine cruiserweight titles in 2020.
In 2017, Latvian tennis player Jeļena Ostapenko won the 2017 French Open Women's singles title, being the first unseeded player to do so in the open era.
Religion
The largest religion in Latvia is Christianity (79%). The largest groups were: In the Eurobarometer Poll 2010, 38% of Latvian citizens responded that "they believe there is a God", while 48% answered that "they believe there is some sort of spirit or life force" and 11% stated that "they do not believe there is any sort of spirit, God, or life force".
* Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia – 708,773
* Roman Catholic – 500,000
* Russian Orthodox – 370,000
Lutheranism was more prominent before the Soviet occupation, when it was adhered to by about 60% of the population, a reflection of the country's strong historical links with the Nordic countries, and to the influence of the Hansa in particular and Germany in general. Since then, Lutheranism has declined to a slightly greater extent than Roman Catholicism in all three Baltic states. The Evangelical Lutheran Church, with an estimated 600,000 members in 1956, was affected most adversely. An internal document of 18 March 1987, near the end of communist rule, spoke of an active membership that had shrunk to only 25,000 in Latvia, but the faith has since experienced a revival.
The country's Orthodox Christians belong to the Latvian Orthodox Church, a semi-autonomous body within the Russian Orthodox Church. In 2011, there were 416 religious Jews in Latvia and 319 Muslims in Latvia. As of 2004, there were more than 600 Latvian neopagans, Dievturi (The Godskeepers), whose religion is based on Latvian mythology. About 21% of the total population is not affiliated with a specific religion.
Demographics
The total fertility rate (TFR) in 2018 was estimated to be 1.61 children born/woman, which is lower than the replacement rate of 2.1. In 2012, 45.0% of births were to unmarried women. The life expectancy in 2013 was estimated at 73.19 years (68.13 years male, 78.53 years female). As of 2015, Latvia is estimated to have the lowest male-to-female ratio in the world, at 0.85 males per female. In 2017, there were 1,054,433 females and 895,683 males living in Latvian territory. Every year, more boys are born than girls. Until the age of 39, there are more males than females. From the age of 70, there are 2.3 times as many females as males.
As of March 2011, Latvians formed about 62.1% of the population, while 26.9% were Russians, Belarusians 3.3%, Ukrainians 2.2%, Poles 2.2%, Lithuanians 1.2%, Jews 0.3%, Romani people 0.3%, Germans 0.1%, Estonians 0.1% and others 1.3%. 250 people identify as Livonians (Baltic Finnic people native to Latvia). There were 290,660 "non-citizens" living in Latvia or 14.1% of Latvian residents, mainly Russian settlers who arrived after the occupation of 1940 and their descendants.
In some cities, including Daugavpils and Rēzekne, ethnic Latvians constitute a minority of the total population. Despite a steadily increasing proportion of ethnic Latvians for more than a decade, ethnic Latvians also still make up slightly less than a half of the population of the capital city of Latvia – Riga.
The share of ethnic Latvians declined from 77% (1,467,035) in 1935 to 52% (1,387,757) in 1989. In the context of a decreasing overall population, there were fewer Latvians in 2011 than in 1989, but their share of the population was larger – 1,285,136 (62.1% of the population).
The majority of Latvia's population are Latvians, who are an ethnic Baltic people. The country also has a significant Russian minority, as well as smaller populations of Ukrainians, Belarusians, and other Slavic peoples. These ethnic groups are all descended from peoples who settled in Latvia during the centuries of Russian and Soviet rule.
Latvia's ethnic diversity is a result of a number of factors, including a long history of foreign rule, its location on the Baltic Sea trade route, and its proximity to other Slavic countries. The Russian Empire conquered Latvia in the 18th century and ruled the country for over 200 years. During this time, the Russian authorities encouraged the settlement of Russian colonists in Latvia. After the collapse of the Russian Empire in 1918, Latvia became an independent country. However, the country was occupied by the Soviet Union in 1940 and remained under Soviet rule until 1991. The Soviets expelled some groups and resettled others in Latvia, especially Russians. After 1991 many of the expellees returned to Latvia.
The sole official language of Latvia is Latvian, which belongs to the Baltic language sub-group of the Balto-Slavic branch of the Indo-European language family. Another notable language of Latvia is the nearly extinct Livonian language of the Finnic branch of the Uralic language family, which enjoys protection by law; Latgalian – as a dialect of Latvian is also protected by Latvian law but as a historical variation of the Latvian language. Russian, which was widely spoken during the Soviet period, is still the most widely used minority language by far (in 2011, 34% spoke it at home, including people who were not ethnically Russian). While it is now required that all school students learn Latvian, schools also include English, German, French and Russian in their curricula. English is also widely accepted in Latvia in business and tourism. there were 109 schools for minorities that use Russian as the language of instruction (27% of all students) for 40% of subjects (the remaining 60% of subjects are taught in Latvian).
On 18 February 2012, Latvia held a constitutional referendum on whether to adopt Russian as a second official language. According to the Central Election Commission, 74.8% voted against, 24.9% voted for and the voter turnout was 71.1%.
From 2019, instruction in the Russian language was gradually discontinued in private colleges and universities in Latvia, as well as general instruction in Latvian public high schools, except for subjects related to culture and history of the Russian minority, such as Russian language and literature classes.
The largest religion in Latvia is Christianity (79%). The largest groups were: In the Eurobarometer Poll 2010, 38% of Latvian citizens responded that "they believe there is a God", while 48% answered that "they believe there is some sort of spirit or life force" and 11% stated that "they do not believe there is any sort of spirit, God, or life force".
* Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia – 708,773
* Roman Catholic – 500,000
* Russian Orthodox – 370,000
Lutheranism was more prominent before the Soviet occupation, when it was adhered to by about 60% of the population, a reflection of the country's strong historical links with the Nordic countries, and to the influence of the Hansa in particular and Germany in general. Since then, Lutheranism has declined to a slightly greater extent than Roman Catholicism in all three Baltic states. The Evangelical Lutheran Church, with an estimated 600,000 members in 1956, was affected most adversely. An internal document of 18 March 1987, near the end of communist rule, spoke of an active membership that had shrunk to only 25,000 in Latvia, but the faith has since experienced a revival.
The country's Orthodox Christians belong to the Latvian Orthodox Church, a semi-autonomous body within the Russian Orthodox Church. In 2011, there were 416 religious Jews in Latvia and 319 Muslims in Latvia. As of 2004, there were more than 600 Latvian neopagans, Dievturi (The Godskeepers), whose religion is based on Latvian mythology. About 21% of the total population is not affiliated with a specific religion.
The University of Latvia and Riga Technical University are two major universities in the country, both established on the basis of Riga Polytechnical Institute, which was evacuated to Moscow in 1914 when the World War I was started, and located in Riga. Other important universities, which were established on the base of State University of Latvia, include the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (established in 1939 on the basis of the Faculty of Agriculture) and Riga Stradiņš University (established in 1950 on the basis of the Faculty of Medicine). Both nowadays cover a variety of different fields. The University of Daugavpils is another significant centre of education.
Latvia closed 131 schools between 2006 and 2010, which is a 12.9% decline, and in the same period enrolment in educational institutions has fallen by over 54,000 people, a 10.3% decline.
Latvian policy in science and technology has set out the long-term goal of transitioning from labor-consuming economy to knowledge-based economy. By 2020 the government aims to spend 1.5% of GDP on research and development, with half of the investments coming from the private sector. Latvia plans to base the development of its scientific potential on existing scientific traditions, particularly in organic chemistry, medical chemistry, genetic engineering, physics, materials science and information technologies. The greatest number of patents, both nationwide and abroad, are in medical chemistry. Latvia was ranked 38th in the Global Innovation Index in 2021, down from 34th in 2019.
The Latvian healthcare system is a universal programme, largely funded through government taxation. It is among the lowest-ranked healthcare systems in Europe, due to excessive waiting times for treatment, insufficient access to the latest medicines, and other factors. There were 59 hospitals in Latvia in 2009, down from 94 in 2007 and 121 in 2006.
Cities:
