Riga - European Capital of Culture 2014 candidate
Riga - European Capital of Culture 2014 candidate
Riga - European Capital of Culture 2014 candidate
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sigulda programmeever-living legendsRegional history is most colourfullyreflected in legends that have beenpassed down since ancient times.Sigulda is woven about with such legends,the folklore interwoven with historicalfact – the stories <strong>of</strong> the Rose <strong>of</strong>Turaida, and the great Livonian chieftainslike Kaupo, whose complex rolein the introduction <strong>of</strong> Christianity tothe southern Baltic is still controversial.Since the 19 th century, Siguldaand the surrounding area have featuredin many ballads, poems, plays,films, postage stamps, operas, andeven modern dance performances.The continuing creation <strong>of</strong> new works<strong>of</strong> art around these themes shows thatthe legendary figures live on in thepopular imagination.Some myths and geographically rooted legendsare perfect material for the stimulation<strong>of</strong> the modern creative imagination. In <strong>2014</strong>,17 local amateur collectives will seek to revivethe legends by working with pr<strong>of</strong>essionalchoreographers, scenographers, composersand theatre directors. The residents<strong>of</strong> Sigulda and the surrounding area will beinvolved in major pr<strong>of</strong>essional musical productions,bringing local mythology alive.The story <strong>of</strong> the Rose <strong>of</strong> Turaida is the legend<strong>of</strong> the devoted and courageous girlMaija Greifa, who lived at Turaida in the17 th century. Though tragic, the beautifullove story is alive in the Latvian imagination;couples still leave flowers and lightcandles at the grave <strong>of</strong> Rose <strong>of</strong> Turaida ontheir wedding day.What: Musical performance.Where: Historic sites and natural featuresin the Sigulda area.When: 2012 – Legend <strong>of</strong> Kaupo at theSigulda castle ruins; <strong>2014</strong> – Legend <strong>of</strong> theRose <strong>of</strong> Turaida on Gūtmanis Island.Concept author: Sigulda District Council.Organisers: Sigulda District Council.Partners: Pr<strong>of</strong>essional composers,choreographers, poets.turning stylishTo change the dank destiny <strong>of</strong> basements– transform them into beautifulmeeting-places! Awaiting the year<strong>of</strong> the <strong>European</strong> <strong>Capital</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Culture</strong>,Sigulda will look for ways to convertbunkers from the Second World Warinto accessible and pleasant spaces forpublic use. The best idea for revampingthese sites, which are also importanthistorically, will be implemented in<strong>2014</strong> as a gift to the residents and asurprise for the visitors.was located. The air raid shelter was builtfor the use <strong>of</strong> the headquarters personneland is currently not used. There have beenvarious plans to turn these bunkers intocafés, youth centres or art galleries.The Sigulda Town Council, consulting withboth residents and experts, will seek themost interesting concept for making use<strong>of</strong> these structures.What: Creative workshop.Where: Sigulda.Concept authors: Sigulda RegionalCouncil, Development Board, CiltureBoard, Sports and Tourism Board.In 1944, during the Second World War,Sigulda served as the headquarters <strong>of</strong> theGerman Army Group Nord. In the formerWhite Manor, then the Sigulda secondaryschool, the headquarters’ security service143