Lifestyle
Tokarczuk and Coetzee lead call for proof that missing Eritrean writers are alive
More than 180 writers, including Nobel laureates Olga Tokarczuk and JM Coetzee, have signed a letter to Eritrea's president demanding proof of life for 12 writers detained since 2001, marking 25 years since a crackdown on the free press.
The Guardian Culture · 18 Sept, 11:49
Rēzekne concert hall to premiere musical tribute to Latgalian cultural figure Anton Rupainis
On September 18, Rēzekne's "Gors" concert hall will premiere the musical piece "Poem about O.R.", dedicated to the 120th birth anniversary of Latgalian writer and composer Anton Rupainis. The evening also marks the opening of the international theatre festival "Step by Step".
LSM Kultūra · 18 Sept, 10:51
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Lady Gaga and Michael Polansky welcome a baby daughter
American pop star Lady Gaga, 40, and her fiancé Michael Polansky have had a baby girl, whose name was chosen in connection with one of the singer's favorite songs.
Apollo.lv · 18 Sept, 10:51
Ireland to skip Eurovision 2027, RTÉ will not broadcast the contest
Ireland's public broadcaster RTÉ has confirmed the country will not take part in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, and RTÉ itself will not air the event.
LSM (rus) · 18 Sept, 10:49
Cinevilla to transform into a digital-reality-meets-horror festival this autumn: "Danger Fest 2026"
From October 24 to 31, the Cinevilla film park will turn into the nine-day "Danger Fest 2026" each evening, blending digital reality with horror elements. The event culminates on Halloween night with a drone show.
Latvijas Avīze · 18 Sept, 10:48
Empress Of turns wildfire loss into rebirth on new album Dream House
Musician Lorely Rodriguez, known as Empress Of, has released her fifth studio album Dream House, written after her family home was destroyed in the 2025 California wildfires. The record is described as a tender, open-hearted meditation on rebuilding both a house and a sense of self.
The Guardian Culture · 18 Sept, 10:45
London's rebuilt Covent Garden Theatre faced audience riots after 1809 reopening
On 18 September 1809, London's Covent Garden Theatre reopened after being rebuilt following a fire, but instead of the anticipated brilliant season, its management faced real audience unrest.
LSM · 18 Sept, 09:50
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Viktors Buntovskis releases new single "One Hug for Yourself"
Latvian singer Viktors Buntovskis has released a new song titled "Vienu apskāvienu sev" ("One Hug for Yourself"), continuing his ongoing collaboration with producer Jānis Jačmenkins, known as JJ Lush.
TVNET · 18 Sept, 09:49
Choirs from Ukraine to the Philippines gather in Jūrmala for competition
From September 18 to 20, the Dzintari concert hall hosts the 9th International Baltic Sea Choir Competition, bringing together eight choirs from seven countries. The event has grown into a stage of the European Grand Prix choir competition system.
LSM (rus) · 18 Sept, 09:48
Drug scandal rocks Estonian theatre scene as promising young director accused of drugging colleagues
A criminal case has been opened in Estonia against young director Oliver Reimann over accusations of secretly adding MDMA to colleagues' drinks. Reimann has lost his job at Estonia's Drama Theatre and his once-promising career has stalled.
Delfi · 18 Sept, 09:45
New documentary reveals inside story of Salman Rushdie's survival after knife attack
The documentary "Knife: The Attempted Murder of Salman Rushdie" combines wife Rachel Eliza Griffiths' video diary with archive footage on the 1989 fatwa against Rushdie, directed by Alex Gibney.
The Guardian Culture · 18 Sept, 07:51
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Parents again face the question: what to pack in a child's school lunch box
As the new school year begins, the recurring question of what to put in a child's lunch box to make it both tasty and nutritious has come up again. It's an issue that returns for parents every year.
TVNET · 18 Sept, 06:50
Social media debate: are Latvian medics taking patients' complaints seriously enough?
A discussion on the platform Threads has drawn attention to cases where ambulance staff or hospital emergency departments initially dismissed patients' symptoms that later turned out to be serious conditions.
Latvijas Avīze · 18 Sept, 06:44
PISA 2025: nearly half of Latvian ninth-graders struggle to understand what they read
New OECD PISA results show Latvian students' reading skills have declined steadily over the past decade, even as math and digital problem-solving scores held up better. Experts say the issue must be tackled starting in primary school and through more conversation at home.
Delfi · 18 Sept, 05:50
Horoscope for Friday, September 18: a day for precision and patience
On Friday, September 18, the Sun's aspect with Saturn and Mercury in Virgo encourages finding balance between daily practical duties and future plans.
Apollo.lv · 18 Sept, 05:49
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New York Fashion Week: Michael Kors brings back 1960s charm
At New York Fashion Week, Michael Kors presented a collection channeling the spirit of the 1960s, staged in MoMA's Sculpture Garden with Nico's "Sunday Morning" playing over the audience.
TVNET · 18 Sept, 05:49
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Quiz: Can you recognize Latvian celebrities from half a face?
A new online quiz challenges readers to test how well they know Latvia's public figures by identifying them from just half of their face.
Apollo.lv · 18 Sept, 03:49
Nutritionists name the vegetable worth adding to your autumn menu
Nutrition experts say leeks may support digestive health and have been linked to reduced fat buildup in the liver, though they stress it is not a miracle detox food.
Latvijas Avīze · 18 Sept, 02:49
Rare Aztec Manuscript Returns to Mexico on Loan After Nearly Two Centuries in France
Two folios of the Codex Azcatitlan, a 16th-century Aztec pictorial manuscript, are on display in Mexico City after France's National Library loaned them to mark 200 years of bilateral relations, while Indigenous groups push for full restitution.
France 24 · 18 Sept, 02:46
Longevity isn't just about genes – daily habits matter too
Experts say lifespan depends not only on heredity but also on everyday habits such as diet, physical activity, sleep, relationships and stress management.
TVNET · 18 Sept, 01:50
Jānis Palkavnieks reveals bipolar disorder diagnosis after treatment
"Draugiem Group" spokesperson Jānis Palkavnieks has finally learned what has been affecting him after treatment at the National Mental Health Centre, discussing his experience with bipolar affective disorder on the show "Bez spriedzes".
Apollo.lv · 18 Sept, 00:48
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The secret of Vecgulbene Castle: the love story of Baron Heinrich and Marisa
Vecgulbene Castle and its park hold the story of Baron Heinrich von Wolff's love for a woman named Marisa, for whom he had the castle and its grounds built. Although no photographs of her survive, her presence can still be traced in the castle's architecture and garden design.
TVNET · 18 Sept, 00:47
LA.lv invites readers to test their knowledge with a history quiz
The la.lv portal has published a ten-question quiz on historical facts, inviting readers to test their knowledge of different eras and regions of the world.
Latvijas Avīze · 18 Sept, 00:45
In Kenya, an AI chatbot answers pregnant women's health questions by text
In Kenya, many pregnant women are turning to an AI-powered chatbot for answers to everyday health questions when other information sources, like search engines, aren't within reach. The tool is described as a potential lifeline for women with few other options.
NPR World · 17 Sept, 22:44
Ireland to Boycott 2027 Eurovision as Well
Irish public broadcaster RTÉ has announced it will skip the Eurovision Song Contest for a second consecutive year and will not broadcast it in Ireland, citing Israel's participation.
Jauns.lv · 17 Sept, 20:48
Million Dollar Quartet review: jukebox musical brings 1950s rock'n'roll legends back to life
London's Arts theatre, temporarily relocated near Marble Arch while its main building undergoes renovation, is staging Million Dollar Quartet, a musical revisiting the famous 1956 studio session of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis. The production runs until 6 December before touring.
The Guardian Culture · 17 Sept, 20:48
Latvian Puppet Theatre opens new season with "Wriggling" for the youngest audiences
The Latvian Puppet Theatre has launched its new season with "Wriggling" ("Kūņoties"), a production by Finnish director Anna Ivanova created for the very youngest viewers. For many children, the show will be their first encounter with theatre.
LSM · 17 Sept, 19:47
Sage rinse: a natural way to make grey hair less noticeable
Regularly rinsing hair with a sage infusion may visually tone down grey strands, though it cannot fully restore hair's natural pigment.
Latvijas Avīze · 17 Sept, 17:44
Thelma & Louise musical in London falls flat, critic says
A new stage musical based on the 1991 film Thelma & Louise has opened at London's Young Vic, but a Guardian review calls it a bland and baffling adaptation lacking the film's emotional power.
The Guardian Culture · 17 Sept, 14:48
National Theatre prepares tribute concert to composer Mārtiņš Brauns – «Tikšanās blūzs»
Latvia's National Theatre will honor composer Mārtiņš Brauns with the concert performance «Tikšanās blūzs» as part of its 75th anniversary celebrations, premiering September 24.
LSM Kultūra · 17 Sept, 14:47
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Carolina Herrera marks 45th anniversary with sea of yellow tulips in New York
During New York Fashion Week, Carolina Herrera celebrated its 45th anniversary with a new collection and a theater promenade decorated with nearly 29,000 yellow tulips.
TVNET · 17 Sept, 14:47
American psychedelic pop art painter Peter Max dies at 88
American pop art painter Peter Max, whose psychedelic works shaped the aesthetic of 1960s counterculture, has died at the age of 88, US media report.
LSM (rus) · 17 Sept, 14:44
New season opens at major Riga theatres with first premieres
The Latvian National Theatre and the Dailes Theatre have already staged the first premieres of the new season, each offering a different take on relationships and on theatre itself.
LSM (rus) · 17 Sept, 13:49
'Fast & Furious' Roller Coaster Debuts, but Vin Diesel Skips the Opening
A new roller coaster themed around the 'Fast & Furious' film franchise had its grand opening at a theme park, though series star Vin Diesel did not make his planned appearance. Fans reportedly still had a good time.
Wired · 17 Sept, 13:48
Riga's major theatres open new season with premieres
The Latvian National Theatre and the Daile Theatre have staged their first premieres of the new season — a production called "Bride Hunters" and a new take on backstage theatre chaos.
LSM Kultūra · 17 Sept, 12:44
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Journalist and writer Ingrīda Brigita Stroda has passed away
Latvian Radio journalist, publicist and writer Ingrīda Brigita Stroda died on September 11 at the age of 84. Her death was announced on Facebook by her daughter, Bārbala Simsone.
Apollo.lv · 17 Sept, 10:45