Riga to become European Capital of Culture 2014

Riga is already a venue for cultural events on an international scale, but in 2014 it will become the cultural epicentre of Europe. During its year as European Capital of Culture, hundreds of special events will take place - culture in the very broadest sense. 365 days a year, with a new understanding of culture as a positive force of change in people's lives. This year, cultural personalities are already warming up for Riga as European Capital of Culture 2014 with a variety of interesting events.

In 2014 travellers will have an important additional reason to visit Riga, since the heart of Latvia has been chosen the European Capital of Culture and is going to entertain its guests with innumerable events dedicated to this fact.

Riga has given many pearls to the culture of Europe and the world – the most important include the Old Riga, Art Noveau, and wooden architecture.

An elusive value is the multicultural environment that has been characteristic from the very beginning, since people of many various nationalities have lived here together – the Latvians, Germans, Russians, Poles, Swedes, Finns and others. This variety through Johann Gottfried Herder and Immanuel Kant has played an important role in development of the German Enlightenment Philosophy, has been the cradle for the cinema genius Sergey Eisenstein, philosopher Isaiah Berlin and an asylum for the opera grand Richard Wagner, and for centuries has been a source of inspiration for a range of other famous European people.

During 2014 everyone will be able to become acquainted with works and contributions of these personalities, as well as evaluate the marks on the modern Latvian music, fine arts, cinema and pop culture, as museums and other depositories will prepare special exhibitions and shows for this event trying to outclass one another in diversity to attract attention of the interested persons.

Guests of the city will be able to enjoy pearls of music performed by the world-renowned Latvian choirs, magnificent opera staging, modern art performances, popular music concerts, art exhibitions, grand national celebrations and many more events, which the guests can take part in.