On November 11 every year, Latvia lights up numerous candles to commemorate the Latvian Army's victory over the West Russian Volunteer Army led by general Pavel Bermont-Avalov on November 11, 1919. On this day Latvia honors its freedom fighters.
The period between the Proclamation of the Independent Republic of Latvia on November 18, 1918 and November 11, 1919 was one of the most complicated periods in Latvia's history as battles were still raging for the independence of the newly-born country. Only in 1919 it became clear that Latvia is truly independent when the Russian Army was driven from Riga! On November 11, 1919, the Latvian state award, the Military Order of Lāčplēsis, with the motto "For Latvia", was established.
The day was named after the Latvian epic mythological hero Lāčplēsis who had the strength and ears of a bear; he has become a symbol of heroism and devotion to the state.
Lāčplēsis Day events in Riga:
8:00-23:00 at Latvian War Museum
Exhibition of military equipment, memorial bonfire dedicated to Latvia's freedom fighters
9:00 Riga Cathedral
Ecumenical service
11:00 Riga Brethren Cemetery
Wreath laying ceremony
11:00-19:00 Riga Castle, Pils Square 3
Exhibition of the full set of the Military Order of Lāčplēsis, Riga Castle sightseeing route
17:00-18:00 patriotic songs performed by the youth choirs Balsis and Monēta
More information: www.lnvm.lv
12:00-12:30 at Freedom Monument
National Armed Forces ceremonial change of honor guard
Newly created program of the National Armed Forces Orchestra and National Defense Service soldiers
13:00 at Riga Castle
National Armed Forces ceremonial change of honor guard
16:00-19:00 at Riga Brethren Cemetery, Freedom Monument and Akmens Bridge
The spirit of freedom fighters through the ages
16:00 Lighting of memorial candles in memory of fallen soldiers at the Riga Brethren Cemetery
16:40 Torchlight procession from the Riga Brethren Cemetery to the Freedom Monument
18:00 Tribute to freedom fighters at the Freedom Monument. Participants: men's musical collective Vilki
18:20 Torchlight procession to the November 11 Embankment to the Akmens Bridge
18:40 Launching of a raft of fire on the Daugava River at the Akmens Bridge
18:00 Riga Brethren Cemetery
Eve of independence battle roll-call
19:30 Dailes Theater
Concert performance - My Latvia. My Responsibility
Participants: National Guard Orchestra (conductor Major Andis Karelis), National Guard Choir Stars (conductor Ārijs Šķepasts). Soloists - National Guard soldiers: Luīze Krasta, Gita Puikevica-Puikevska, Arvīds Keinis, Riga Pārdaugava Music and Art School Choir SONO (conductor Irēna Račevska).
Free invitations from November 4 at the Dailes Theater box office
19:00 Culture and folk art center Mazā Ģilde
Concert Mirdzot Šķēpiem
Male chamber choir Frachori, Guntars Ruņģis (tenor) and Jānis Ruņģis (guitar)
19:00 Riga Cathedral
Torch. In memory of the defenders of the homeland.
Participants: Orchestra Riga, conductor Valdis Butāns
Free invitations from November 5 at 10:00 at Biļešu Paradīze ticket outlets and www.bilesuparadize.lv
19:00 Victory Park, on Bāriņu Street between Hermaņa Street and Uzvaras Boulevard
Event - Calling Across the Daugava
19:00 Cello band Melo M
20:00 Contemporary folk music group Tautumeitas
21:00 Drum and bagpipe collective Auļi
22:00 Concert program - Listen to the Blizzard of the Soul
Soloists: Jānis Šipkēvics, Linda Leen, GoranGora, Māris Mihelsons
Bands: Sudden Lights, Cosmos, Tautumeitas, Musiqq
Artistic director and musical composer Reinis Sējāns, musicians - Rūdolfs Dankfelds, Valters Sprūdžs, Miķelis Putniņš, Reinis Sējāns, Sinfonietta Riga String Quartet
20:00 Riga St John's Church
God, your land is burning!
Youth Choir Balsis, Raimonds Bramanis (tenor), Rihards Millers (baritone), Aigars Reinis (organist), Elza Veismane (sign language interpreter), Ints Teterovskis (conductor)
Full program of events in neighborhoods here