Riga - European Capital of Culture 2014 candidate

‘good old swedish times’The cooperation of Riga and Latvia with Sweden is often characterisedby the phrase inherited from generation to generation ‘thegood old Swedish times’. It might appear surprising that since thebeginning of the 17 th century, when the so-called ‘Swedish times’historically began in Riga and in the territory of today’s Vidzeme,people still remember these times. During its existence, an erathat began as the conquest of a territory was characterised byprogress in many sectors, promoting the welfare and self-confidenceof the farming classes.The facts speak for themselves: the first schools for country folkwere opened during the ‘Swedish times’, and together with that theword ‘school’ has entered the Latvian language from the Swedishlanguage. A large investment into education was the founding ofTartu (Tērbata) University in 1632. Tartu was the first university inthe Baltics and became the educational centre of its time, wheremany distinguished Latvian cultural workers also studied. The opportunityof education was definitive in the further processes ofself-determination and development of self-confidence of countrypeople, that later led to the processes of national awakening in themid-19 th century. The fact that Riga was once the capital city ofSweden will always remain in the nation’s consciousness.Below are some facts that are linked to the ‘Swedish times’ in Riga:1600–1629 Polish-Swedish War – a battle for control of the tradingroute in the Baltic Sea.1611 Sweden occupies Riga, led by King Gustav II Adolf.1621 A strong city fortification system is established – rampartheight 9–11m, 5 bastions are raised, a citadel enclosed by rampartsand bastions. The fortification system is in operation until1857. The old city wall that is gradually covered with houses,serves as the second line of defence (a section of wall can beseen today in John’s Courtyard). One of the main fortificationtowers, Powder Tower, or Sand Tower as it was known until theXVI century, has remained until today. During this period Riga’smunicipal authority decides to cobble all the streets the same –all farmers entering the city had to bring with them at least twogranite stones.1622 The first water-pipe is installed in Riga, the water being takenfrom the Daugava with the aid of a pump.1625 179 books are printed: 126 – in Latin, 48 – in German, 3 – inLatvian, 1 – in Swedish, 1 – in Finnish.1628 The King of Sweden, Gustav Adolf proclaims Riga the secondcapital city of Sweden.1638 German minister, Georgius Mancelius, compiles a German-Latvian dictionary, which is the first written Latvian lexiconcollection.1680 By order of Swedish King Karl XI the first periodical ispublished – the socio-political newspaper in German, RigischeNovellen.1685–1689 – Ernst Glück translates the entire Bible into Latvian.1690 Following a fire in St. Peter’s Church, Rupert Bindenschucreates a unique wooden steeple construction in Baroque style,as well as the church’s western façade with Baroque portals. Thechurch retains this appearance until 1941. Today the church’s appearancereflects that of the XVII century.1696 The house of timber merchant E. Dannenstern, on MārstaļuStreet 21, is built in Swedish baroque style. Travelling comediansperform their numbers in this house. 1700–1721 Great NorthernWar. Russia’s Tsar, Peter the Great forms a coalition with Denmarkand Saxony for joint battle for outlet in the Baltic Sea, the main opponent– Sweden. 1709–1710 Under the leadership of Count BorisSheremetjev Riga is enclosed by Russian military forces. 94 % ofinhabitants of Riga’s surroundings die in the plague epidemic, theplague spreads to the Russian army and the inhabitants of Riga.1710 Capitulation of Riga. Riga comes under the subordinationof Russia.1721 The Treaty of Nystad formally enforces the new borders ofRussia.The ‘Swedish times’ have left a legend in Riga about a love story.The Swedish Gate that can still be seen in the Old Town todaywas built at the end of the 17 th century, to link the inner city withthe houses and barracks built outside the wall. Similarly to othergates of Riga, they were opened upon sunrise, and closed at sunset.It is said that a girl from Riga had her eye on a young Swedishboy. Although maidens were strictly prohibited from meeting withsoldiers, the lovers secretly met by the gates. However, Rigainhabitants surprised the couple and were so angry that as punishmentthey walled the girl up at the scene of the crime. Theunhappy maiden’s whispers of “I love him!” are said to be heardat the Swedish Gate at midnight. In truth, it is only heard by peoplewho are able to love unconditionally.On celebrating 800 years of Riga, a jubilee coin was dedicatedto the “Swedish times”, which reflects Riga’s coat of arms froma coin forged at the time of the rule of Gustav II Adolf, as well asRiga’s fortification plan from the first half of the 17 th century.a contemporary tale of cooperation with swedenThe historical ‘Swedish foundations’ serve for the close cooperationof Riga and Swedish cities – from the political, financial andeconomic sector to science, the environmental field and web ofcontacts in the cultural sector. In accordance with informationfrom the Bank of Latvia, today Sweden is the second largest investorin Latvia. Quick-witted analysts, when talking about thisfact, call these the ‘new Swedish times’.A considerable contribution by Sweden to the educational developmentof Latvia and the Baltics is the establishment of theSchool of Economics in Riga and Riga Graduate School of Law.Various schools have cooperation with Swedish universities. Thepartner organisations of the Latvian Academy of Science arethe Swedish Royal Academy of Science and the Swedish RoyalAcademy of Humanitarian Sciences, History and Artefacts. TheNordic Centre of the Latvian Academy of Culture implements cooperationbetween Latvia, Sweden and other Northern countriesin the cultural sector, promoting Nordic studies and research inLatvia.Cooperation with Sweden in the cultural sector is very active. Asignificant event in 2008 was the participation of Latvia in the statusof main guest country at the Annual Book Fair in Goteborg inSeptember. The National Concert Agency Latvijas koncerti haslong-standing cooperation with Rikskonserter – the concert agencynetwork for Scandinavian-Baltic countries. The participationof the Latvian National Opera at the Dalhalla opera festival hasbecome a tradition. Other areas of cooperation: traditional art, archives,library sciences, museums, cultural education, monumentprotection. Latvia takes part in film and theatre festivals takingplace in Sweden.‘new swedish times’Cooperation of Riga with Lund and Umeå in the European Capitalof Culture project.During the preparation period of the application, Riga’s taskgroup has met with representatives from Lund and Umeå, agreeingon the main directions for city cooperation under the 2014European Capital of Culture. The cities have agreed that regardlessof which city obtains the honour of organising ECC, the initiatedcontacts should be implemented at least in some of theindividual projects.riga and umeå1. Riga and Umeå are proud of their indigenous inhabitants, theLivs and the Sami people, two nations that belong to the groupof Finno-Ugric languages. Over 800 years ago Riga was foundedon the site of the Liv settlement, but today in Riga there is still acommunity of Livs, even though they are maybe just a few dozen,that have united in the Riga Union of Livs and are actively involvedin the project development with Umeå. In turn, Umeå is proudof its Sami heritage and the contemporary contribution of Samitraditions by Sami inhabitants of the city. Riga and Umeå haveagreed as follows:• By 2014 to initiate a Sami and Liv 3 generation exchangeprogramme within the framework of family summer camps. Eachyear on the Liv coast at Mazirbe, a Liv family camp takes place fora week, where skills in the Liv language, songs and traditions arelearned in a relaxed atmosphere, which traditionally closes withthe Liv festival in the first weekend in August. The festival has alsobeen attended by the heads of countries of Latvia, Estonia andFinland. The friendship of Liv and Sami families at such camps inLatvia and Sweden would allow the Finno-Ugric traditions to liveon in the new generations and promote opportunities for longlastingcontact between people on both sides.• The young adults’ section of the Liv union is well known for itsmusicality, playing music both in a traditional style and in variousmodern genres of music. Similarly, there are talented young Samiadults in Umeå who perform contemporary Finno-Ugric music.Both sides are interested in the creation of a Sami and Liv musicproject for young adults.• Sami and Liv Day in Brussels: a jointly organised project dedicatedto the significance of small nations and languages in thediversity of European culture.• An international conference for the rights of indigenous people.Each autumn in Sweden the international Human Rights Daystake place, and the Sami Society in Sweden has begun to developan idea together with the UN about the organisation of suchan international event in Umeå in 2014, with the Livs as one of theguests of honour.• Traditional Sami and Liv cuisine – in the sense of ‘high art’.Cooperation with the “Slow-food Latvia” movement, representativesof the union and restaurants in both cities.• A modern Sami and Liv design cooperation project “Etnofutu”.The potential cooperation partner on the Latvian side is the DesignSection of the Latvian Academy of Art.124 125