4 May - Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia

On May 4, 1990, the Supreme Soviet of the Latvian SSR adopted the Declaration "On the Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia" and renewed the 1922 Constitution of Latvia. The entering of the USSR army in Latvia on 17 June 1940 was declared an international crime against the Latvian state. The Supreme Soviet declared Latvia an independent and democratic state and set a transition period for restoring Latvian rule de facto. The Constitution was fully restored by the first assembly of the fifth Saeima, which was subsequently announced to the administrations of USSR and other countries.

In order to mark this important historic event, a special programme is held every year: church services and an official raising of the state's flag at Riga Castle. This day also features granting state awards, various concerts and other events on the 11th November Embankment all day long.

Events Dedicated to the Renewal of Latvian Independence

May 3rd
In the Riga Dom Cathedral Square and Garden (Rīgas Doma laukums)
21:15 to 23:00

AR DOMU PAR RĪTDIENU (Thinking About Tomorrow)
A concert featuring some of Latvia’s favourite groups and solo performers: Renārs Kaupers, Intars Busulis, Goran Gora, Kārlis Kazāks, Anete Kozlovska, DaGamba, Triānas parks, The Sound Poets, Astro’n’out, and Otra puse.

May 4th
At the Splendid Palace Cinema
10:00 to 23:00
A Latvian Film Marathon
Animation, documentaries, and feature films for the whole family, as well as a screening of short films in the courtyard.
For additional information see www.nfc.lv

By the Freedom Monument (Brīvības piemineklis)
11:00 until the end of the day
Creating A flower image of Latvia
Everyone is invited to place flowers at the Freedom Monument.

11:30 to 13:00
Marching Band Performance
A concert performed by the Latvian Educational Institution Brass Band.

At 14:00
FLOWER PLACING CEREMONY
Government representatives and other VIPs place flowers at the Freedom Monument in an offical ceremony honouring the Renewal of Latvian Independence.

In Vērmanes Garden (Vērmanes dārzs)
12:00 to 19:30

4. MAIJS (May 4th)
A musical programme on the outdoor stage in Vērmanes Garden featuring the professional brass band Rīga, folk dance collectives and choirs, music school chamber ensembles, the post-folklore music group Iļģi, and others.

12:00 to 17:00
Creative workshops

Including board game competitions, pole walking activities, and the opportunity to participate in a collaborative textile composition Labo domu vēlējums Latvijai (Good Wishes for Latvia).

May 4th
At St. Peter's Church (Sv. Pētera baznīca)
16:00

AR DZIESMU DZĪVĪBĀ (Living In Song)
A concert by the chamber choir Ave Sol.

At the Riga Latvian Society (Rīgas Latviešu biedrības nams)
16:00
Musical Portraits of Two Latvian Song Festival Conductors in Chief –
Romāns Vanags and Mārtiņš Klišāns
Tickets Ls 3.00. Children, students, and pensioners Ls 1.00.

At the Small Guild Hall (Mazā Ģilde)
17:00

Es zinu, ka jābūt man Latvijā (I Know Latvia Is Where I Must Be)
A concert featuring Inga Šļubovska (soprano), Juris Ādamsons (baritone),
Mārtiņš Circenis (clarinet), and Agnese Egliņa (piano).

At the Riga Dom Cathedral (Rīgas Doma baznīca)
19:00

A Concert of Sacred Music
Participants include the choirs Gaismaspils, Vidus, and the Congregation Choir of the Church of St. Paul in Riga. Soloists are Diāna Silova (soprano) and Ansis Tālbergs (tenor).

Tickets Ls 5.00 – Ls 10.00

On the Esplanade
20:00
SVĒTKU DIENA (A Day For Celebration)
A pop/rock concert featuring music groups that were a part of the Renewal of Latvian Independence:

• 20:00 Dzeltenie pastnieki
• 21:15 Turaides roze
• 22:30 Pērkons

May 6th
At the Small Guild Hall (Mazā Ģilde)
13:00

IZDZIEDAM PAVASARI (Singing Out The Spring)
A concert performed by youth and children's vocal ensembles from the City of Riga and soloist Evita Zālīte (soprano) from the Latvian National Opera.

All events are free to the public unless a ticket price is stated.