On 2 March from 12.00 to 16.00 at Rātslaukums Culture and Folk Art Centre "Ritums" in cooperation with Riga City Municipality and the Latvian Folklore Society will for the first time organise a large-scale Meteņi celebration that will allow everyone to see, feel, taste and hear how interesting, fulfilling and exciting Latvian traditions really are and how they can interact with the modern world.
Festival program
Throughout the event, Town Hall Square will be filled with singing and dancing, mask group performances on stage, and an open-air mask exhibition. In the Rātes Passage, creative workshops will take place, where visitors can make ķekatu masks, traditional rag dolls, and masks for the little ones. Meteņi always bring a playful spirit and humor, so the event’s lively atmosphere will be ensured by host Nauris Brikmanis, who will engage visitors in games, quizzes, and various activities while sharing fun stories and conversations with the masked characters.
Food vendors will be available on-site, and visitors can warm up by small bonfires.
Event Program:
12:00 Event opening, bonfire lighting, and a mask parade following the route: Town Hall Square, Skārņu Street, Audēju Street, Vaļņu Street, Kaļķu Street, Līvu Square, Town Hall Square.
13:00 Performances by mask groups Ķekatas and Meteņdienas čigāni, boasting contest, and a concert by the band Tā kā pērn.
14:00 Strength contest, performance by the mask group Budēļi, and a concert by Rahu The Fool.
15:00 Burning of the fireball and a concert by the band Olas.
Admission is free.
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