Riga's 825th anniversary to be celebrated with month-long programme

Riga's 825th anniversary celebrations will extend over a full month this year, rather than being confined to one weekend. Fredis Bikovs, director of the Riga Investment and Tourism Agency, said this on the TV24 programme “On the Line” on 31 July.

The programme will cover both the city centre and neighbourhoods, featuring concerts, workshops, art events and various other activities. Bikovs highlighted gastronomy as a key element. To give Riga a recognisable culinary symbol, the Old Riga cupcake has been chosen. After a successful restaurant week, during which several bakeries offered both classic and new variations of the treat, the idea will be continued in the anniversary programme.

A dedicated website is set to be launched in August, helping both locals and visitors find places where different versions of the Old Riga cupcake are available. Bikovs stressed that gastronomy is an important part of tourism, as local cuisine allows people to discover the city's culture and traditions.

During the festival, a special Riga festival restaurant will be set up in the square near the Latvian National Opera, where various restaurants will serve dishes and snacks. The plan is to combine a festive atmosphere with affordable prices.

This year's slogan is “Open Riga 825”, and the anniversary campaign is also running abroad – in the Nordic countries, Germany, Spain and the Baltic states. Early signs of growing tourist interest are already visible, as hotel bookings for the holiday period are increasing. According to Bikovs, the main goal is to present Riga as a diverse European capital where every visitor can find a suitable experience, from culture and art to gastronomy and exploring the city's neighbourhoods.