Summer at the National Library of Latvia

Opposite the Old Town on the left bank of the Daugava rises the National Library of Latvia building, or the Castle of Light, one of the most extensive cultural buildings in the history of renewed Latvia.

This summer, the library is offering a rich and interesting programme for visitors to the city – to learn about this building and the work done here via a digital guide (gids.lnb.lv - in Latvian, English, German, Ukrainian and Lithuanian), view exhibitions and enjoy the most beautiful view of Riga from level 11 of the library.

The library also houses the "Dainu skapis” (Cabinet of Folksongs), a world cultural treasure included in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.
A cafe, a self-service restaurant, wi-fi and a souvenir shop are also available.

Major exhibitions:

Permanent exhibition Book in Latvia (1st floor) – is the story of the history of Latvian bookmaking in a global context. The book is the focus of the exhibition – both as a material object and as a social and spiritual phenomenon that has changed and continues to change society, people's lives and thinking.

Exhibition "Is a Library a Birthright?" encourages us to think of libraries and reading as cornerstones of a democratic society. This is an exhibition that is at once evocative, intellectually reflective, and political—a must-see for anyone who loves books, but even more so for those who don’t yet.

Exhibition “Freedom Begins with a Book” (5th floor) explores the history of Latvian book publishing and the role of the printed word in the development of society, highlighting the power of the printed word to transform readers, unite communities, and shape a nation’s self-identity. The narrative is complemented by contemporary interpretations created in collaboration with artists and experts from other fields.

The Exhibition. Birkerts. Libraries. Light. dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Gunārs Birkerts (1925–2017) presents the life and creative work of the outstanding Latvian architect. Among the many public buildings designed by Gunārs Birkerts, libraries have a special place – this exhibition is dedicated to them.

Exhibition The Castle of Light and the Glass Mountain – the story of the Latvian National Library project and its architect (1st floor and 11th floor) – the two-part exhibition acquaints visitors with the history of the new building of the Latvian National Library, the process of its creation and its author – the world-renowned architect G. Birkerts – and illuminates his creative excellence in the context of world architecture.

Two cafes, wi-fi and a souvenir shop are also available.