Riga - European Capital of Culture 2014 candidate

Latvian National Museum of ArtĶīpsala Exhibition CentreLatvian National Museum of ArtThe mission of the Latvian National Museum of Art (LNMA) is to use museum resourcesto enrich the widest section of society with Baltic and Latvian fine art treasures from thelate 18 th century to today, providing testimonies of the historical and artistic expressionsof the development of culture and art in Latvia, the formation of the National School ofArt and its manifestation within the context of global cultural history and contemporaryprocesses, and of the national identity.The Latvian National Museum of Art is the largest depository of national art in Latvia. Themuseum building on K. Valdemāra Street is one of the most impressive constructions ofthe historicism style in the scope of Riga boulevards. In turn, the exhibition hall Arsenālsbuilding on Torņa Street is an example of the Empire style of late Russian classicism.The museum houses more than 52,000 works of art. The basic collection of the LNMAis composed of collections of paintings, graphics and sculptures. Permanent exhibitionsthat reflect the development of professional art in the Baltics and Latvia from the mid-18 thcentury to today can be viewed in the museum, and also reveal vivid episodes of Russianart from the 18 th century to the 1 st half of the 20 th century.The total size of the International Exhibition Centre in Ķīpsala is 17,200 m 2 , it contains a conferencehall that seats 250 people and car parking spaces for 1200 cars. Exhibitions, conferences,congresses, annual markets, concerts and other mass events take place here. Severalworld famous celebrities have performed concerts in Ķīpsala, including Patricia Kaas, RobertPlant, Placebo, Gregorians, Nazareth, Emir Kusturica, Goran Bregovic, R.E.M. and others.Musicals have also been popular – in 2004 and 2005 “The Sound of Music”, in 2006 and 2007“West Side Story” and in 2008, Les Miserable, based on the novel by V. Hugo. Ballroom dancingfestivals, Song and Dance Celebration grand performances also take place here.Dome Cathedral and Dome GardenDome Cathedral is the cathedral of Riga and Latvia’s archbishop and the place of worshipfor the Dome parish. The foundation stone of Dome Cathedral was laid in a solemnceremony led by Bishop Albert in 1211. The organ built in 1884 by E. F. Walcker & Co. isincluded among the world’s most valuable organs – it has the highest quality of technicaland artistic execution and ranks amongst the highest achievements of organ constructionart of the late Romantic period.Ķīpsala Exhibition CentreLatvian National Museum of ArtExhibition Hall ArsenālsThe LNMA regularly organises art exhibitions, participates in international projects, preparesmuseum publications, organises scientific conferences and various art and culturalevents. In parallel to exhibition and display activities, the Latvian National Museumof Art carries out intensive educational work. Visitors are offered tours led by museumemployees and special museum pedagogical programmes. A scientific document centreis available for interested parties.Annually, the museum welcomes approximately 130,000 visitors from all over the world.In 2005, the Latvian National Museum of Art celebrated the 100 th anniversary of its mainbuilding.Latvian National Museum of Art Exhibition Hall ArsenālsThe exhibition hall Arsenāls of the Latvian National Museum of Art, in Riga Old Townon Torņa Street 1, is situated in a customs warehouse building of the early 19 th century.It was built to the project of architect, I. E. de Vitte, in the Empire style of late RussianClassicism.The museum collection stored in Arsenāls is composed of paintings, graphic art andsculptures that were created in Latvia in the second half of the 20 th century to today andthat were produced by artists of Latvian origin in the world during the specified period oftime. Art exhibitions, international projects and other art and cultural events regularly takeplace in the Arsenāls exhibition hall. But on the 2 nd floor, the LNMA Creative Workshopconceptually acquaints society with the untraditional and interactive forms of contemporaryart in Latvia and in the world.The organ is an outstanding monument to music history. It is associated with the mostprominent Latvian organists and composers of the last 120 years and has affected thedevelopment of the art of organ music in Latvia more than any other instrument. FerenzLiszt, one of the most prominent music personalities of the 19 th century, wrote a piece forthe organ especially for the blessing of Dome Cathedral organ, Nun danket alle Gott.Both spiritual and cultural events and events of national significance take place at DomeCathedral. In the garden, adjoining the cathedral, open-air concerts take place in aunique atmosphere.Dome SquareThe centre of Dome Square is the place from where it is possible to see the three gildedcockerels of Riga Old Town churches. The creation of Dome Square commenced inthe late 19 th century, demolishing buildings on the western and north-western sides ofDome Cathedral to uncover the access portals to Dome Cathedral. The square hasexperienced the desire by different forces to leave their mark – in its time Dome Squarehas been nominated 15 th May Square, in honour of the authoritarian coup d’état, and 17 thJune Square – dedicated to the arrival of the Soviet Army into Latvia. Dome Square is atraditional meeting place for city dwellers and guests during city celebrations, the herbmarket at Midsummer, concerts, demonstrations and New Year festivities.St. Peter’s ChurchToday’s city dweller can recognise the church from a distance by its popular gildedcockerel. It is located in the historical centre of Riga and was included in the UNESCOWorld Cultural Heritage List on 4 th December, 1997. Mentioned for the first time in documentsin 1209, the building of St. Peter’s Church is one of the oldest and most valuableDome Cathedral and Dome GardenSt. Peter’s Church158 159