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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eaming riga <strong>2014</strong>Our ancestors believed that light is asubstance and that it can be poured,cut into pieces, stuffed into a sack, orcollected in a Castle <strong>of</strong> Light… thatone can build bridges from light andthat light can be given to others as apresent. This conviction is nicely illustratedwith a funny story about peoplewho built a house without windowsand then tried to fill it with light usingbuckets and sacks.The festival <strong>of</strong> light “Beaming <strong>Riga</strong>” (StaroRīga) keeps proving the enduring truth <strong>of</strong>our forefathers in artistic ways – light becomesthe material <strong>of</strong> artwork just as paintbrushes,colour, canvas, stone or bronzehave been media for art. In the year <strong>2014</strong>,all <strong>of</strong> the themes <strong>of</strong> the programme will betouched upon, but the festival will primarilybe dedicated to the theme “Thirst For TheOcean”.As the sea may dream <strong>of</strong> becoming anocean, the <strong>Riga</strong> Canal wishes to be asgreat as the Nile or the Amazon, and eachfountain in the city – as swift as a torrentialmountain spring. The festival <strong>of</strong> light“Beaming <strong>Riga</strong>” has enough resources t<strong>of</strong>ulfil these dreams at least for few days.Powerful light and sound effects will transformthe waters <strong>of</strong> the city – the fountains inthe Vērmanes Garden, the Esplanade andthe Opera Square, and also in the <strong>Riga</strong>Canal, bringing to life fantastic sights onan incomparable experience.“Freedom Street”, one <strong>of</strong> the themes in the<strong>Riga</strong> programme, is a very important arteryfor the city. The festival <strong>of</strong> light “Beaming<strong>Riga</strong>”, being a recent and ambitious processin the urban environment, plans tobathe the street in coloured light andvideo projections. The street will be one<strong>of</strong> the routes <strong>of</strong> the festival – overlookedelements <strong>of</strong> architecture, buildings andparticular details <strong>of</strong> the urban environmentas well as previously concealed innercourtyards will be unveiled by the artists<strong>of</strong> the “Beaming <strong>Riga</strong>” festival. The avenueopposite the Cabinet <strong>of</strong> Ministers, the <strong>Riga</strong>District Court building, the Central Library,a typical Art Nouveau building, the DaileTheatre, the Vidzeme marketplace, theNew St. Gertrude’s Church and Air Bridgeare just a part <strong>of</strong> the wide range <strong>of</strong> interestingsites on this street. The latest technologies,a broad range <strong>of</strong> lighting systems,video and real fire will turn Freedom Streetinto the artery <strong>of</strong> the festival.The “Road Map” will help one find one’sway to “Beaming <strong>Riga</strong>” performances inthe <strong>Riga</strong> neighbourhoods. For example,festival artists will create light performancesand installations in the parks <strong>of</strong> Āgenskalns– in Arkādija Garden, the Youth Garden,Small Arkādija’s Garden, Māra’s Garden,Meteor Garden and Victory Park. The play<strong>of</strong> light will uncover the Neogothic buildings<strong>of</strong> Pauls Stradiņš’s Clinical Hospital.A very special show will be awaiting atMāra’s Pond, where with the help <strong>of</strong> lightand projections an illusion <strong>of</strong> the historicalbuilding <strong>of</strong> the Māra’s Mill will be created.This mill was the first known building inĀgenskalns and the Pārdaugava area <strong>of</strong><strong>Riga</strong> and is mentioned in historic chroniclesfrom 1226.Everyone has heard stories about thelegendary Amber Room – one <strong>of</strong> the biggesttreasures from the castle <strong>of</strong> CatherineI, Peter the Great’s wife. The Amber Roomwas lost during the World War II and noone has succeeded in finding it. The lightfestival “Beaming <strong>Riga</strong>” will let one find theAmber Room in <strong>Riga</strong> – inside the RailroadStation tunnel.The Old Town – the oldest part <strong>of</strong> <strong>Riga</strong> –will turn into a maze during the “Beaming<strong>Riga</strong>” festival. The narrow streets disguisedby lights will confuse even the true Old<strong>Riga</strong> experts and make them look for theright way out. Then the “Survival Kit” willbe <strong>of</strong> good use!A whirl <strong>of</strong> events will await the spectatorsat Dome Square. “<strong>Riga</strong> Carnival” – in asequence <strong>of</strong> moving light projections onthe walls <strong>of</strong> the buildings surrounding thesquare, the history <strong>of</strong> the city will be presented- the past, the present and even thefuture.What: Multimedia light installation festivalin the urban environment.Where: Sites throughout the city.When: November 14–18.concept authors: Diāna Čivle, Mārcis Gulbis,Guntars Kambars (www.staroriga.lv).Organiser: <strong>Riga</strong> City Council, Department<strong>of</strong> <strong>Culture</strong>44 45