Maria's Bridge Festival in Mazzalve: Bike Ride, Concert, and Song Duel
The annual Maria's Bridge Festival in Mazzalve brought together both banks of the Suseja River with a themed bike ride, a concert by Juris Hiršs, and a song duel of Raimonds Pauls' music.
The festival was opened by guides Silvija Lisovska and Elmārs Vectirāns dressed as the baron and baroness of Ērberģe Manor. The bridge was decorated in the morning, and the first event was a themed bike ride where participants chose a song and decorated their bicycles and costumes accordingly. Locals and guests from Irši took part, and a jury awarded the most colorful and witty participants, but everyone received applause. After the ride, actor Juris Hiršs from the National Theatre gave a concert in a meadow by the Suseja River, creating a warm and communal atmosphere. The highlight was a song duel of melodies by Raimonds Pauls between singers from the left and right banks. Žanna Miezīte explained the rules, and songs like "Mežrozīte", "Par pēdējo lapu", and "Vardīte" were performed. Winners received candies from the "baron". The event was organized by Mazzalve Community House in cooperation with the Mazzalve Tourism Information Point.
