Valmiera Municipality to Host Independence Day Concerts, Torch Marches and Other Events in November
Valmiera Municipality and local cultural institutions are organising a series of events in November to mark Lāčplēsis Day and Latvia's Independence Day. The programme includes concerts, torch marches, candle displays and exhibitions in the town and its parishes.
Valmiera Municipality in Latvia will host numerous events from 2 to 20 November dedicated to Lāčplēsis Day (11 November, commemorating Latvia's freedom fighters) and Latvia's national holiday on 18 November. They are organised by local cultural venues, libraries, schools and other groups in Valmiera and in the surrounding parishes.
Valmiera
At Valmiera Culture Centre, the folk dance ensemble “Gauja” will give the concert “Satikšanās” on 7 November at 17:00 (tickets EUR 10–14), and Boris Rezņiks will present his song-story “Pasaule, pasaulīt” on 8 November at 17:00 (EUR 20–35). From 10 to 18 November, music suited to Latvia's birthday will play on the Vanšu Bridge over the Gauja. The festive concert “Latvija. Pāri laikiem.” takes place on 18 November at 18:00 (EUR 8–12).
On Lāčplēsis Day, 11 November, Valmiera Viesturs Secondary School invites people to build a candle pattern by the school from 17:30, with a speech by director Uldis Jansons at 19:00. A service will be held at St. Simon's Church at 17:30, and at 18:00 a torch march will leave the Culture Centre for the town's Centra Cemetery. A remembrance ceremony at about 18:25 will feature pastor Andris Akmens, chaplain Juris Škapars and council chairman Jānis Baiks. Traffic will be delayed and traffic lights switched off during the march, and buses will run late.
At 18:30 the Valmiera Municipality Foundation hosts a Strength Evening at 27 Rīgas Street, and on 14 November at 18:00 Andrejs Osokins will give a piano concert at the “Akustika” venue (EUR 25). On 15 November the “Honorary Citizen” and “Person of the Year” awards of Valmiera Municipality will be presented at “Kurtuve”.
Parishes and towns
Torch marches or remembrance events are also planned on 11 November in Mazsalaca, Rūjiena, Naukšēni, Strenči and Burtnieki, while Ramata's march is on 14 November. Concerts are scheduled in Bērzaine, Dikļi, Ēvele, Ipiķi, Kauguri, Kocēni, Matīši, Mazsalaca, Naukšēni, Rencēni, Rūjiena and Strenči. Several libraries will display themed exhibitions until the end of November.
