ABOUT EVENT

The Great Day "Midsummer's Eve. Blossoming"

On 21 June, on Summer Solstice, the Culture and Folk Art Centre "Mazā ģilde" and the folk dance ensemble "Līgo" in collaboration with the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the TDA "Līgo" and the 50th anniversary of the VPDK "Līgo" with cheese-tying, folklore group performances and concerts throughout the day. At the end of the Great Day, the world premiere of the stage folk dance mystery "Mēs deviņi bāleliņi" by choreographer Jānis Purviņš will be performed by all the dancers of "Līgo".

The Great Day "Midsummer's Eve. Blossoming" (Diždiena "Līgo. Ziedēšana") is the end of a series of concerts that took place in the spring in four regions of Latvia - each concert symbolically depicted the journey of the mythical flower "Līgo" - from its creation, sowing, growth and blooming, culminating or blossoming on Summer Solstice.

The celebration of Summer Solstice in the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia will begin with the celebration of the Great Day - from 11.00, attendees will be welcomed by folklore groups "Vilcenes", "Skandinieki", "Savieši", "Budēļi", "Zemgaļi", "Ceidari", "Ēdol's Ķists", "Suitu vīri" and string instrument ensembles. There will be wreath-weaving workshops led by Līga Reitere, a keeper of ancestral wisdom and traditions and a herbalist, cheese-tying workshops led by Ilze Briede, the hostess of "Priedes krogs", workshops on making sauna whisks, herbal carpets and shower scrubs, and you will be able to enjoy Solstice delicacies.

At 14:00, the opening concert of the Great Day will take place - all the ensembles of "Līgo" - folk dance ensemble "Līgo", middle generation dance ensemble "Līgo", middle generation dance ensemble "Sen Līgo", senior dance ensemble "Līgo Absolventi" and the children and youth studio of folk dance ensemble "Līgo" will take part.

From 16.00, attendees of the Great Day will be invited to the ensemble's concerts in the Farmsteads of Kurzeme, Vidzeme and Zemgale regions and in the Latgale Hamlet.

At 20:00, dance ensembles and spectators will gather for a lively Midsummer sing-along with the band "TKP" ("Tā kā pērn"), whose artistic director is Ēriks Zeps.

At 22.00, the Great Day will close with the premiere of the stage folk dance mystery "Mēs deviņi bāleliņi" by choreographer Jānis Purviņš, inspired by the 2021 recording of "Mēs deviņi bāleliņi", the longest song in Latvian folklore, by the Latvian post-folk and folk-rock band "Iļģi". This folk song is unique in Latvian folklore - it has many lyrics and musical variants, its origins go back to the oldest layers of wedding songs, but most importantly - it is the longest song in Latvian folklore - 65 verses long.

Entrance tickets to "Midsummer's Eve. Blossoming" ("Līgo. Ziedēšana") are available at "Biļešu paradīze", the first entrance ticket price for adults - 20 euros, for pupils, students, pensioners, people with disabilities upon presentation of appropriate certificates - 10 euros. Ticket prices will become more expensive as the event approaches. Attendees are welcome to bring blankets and throws for sitting and solstice treats, and bicycles can be parked at the event venue. Entrance with umbrellas will not be allowed, please bring raincoats if necessary.

The event is organised by the Riga State City Municipality institution "Culture and Folk Art Centre "Mazā Ģilde"" and the association "Jaundeju pieradinātāji" with the support of the Riga State City Municipality, the State Culture Capital Foundation and the association "AKKA/LAA".

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PROGRAMME

PROGRAMME FOR THE GREAT DAY "MIDSUMMER'S EVE. BLOSSOMING" (Diždiena "Līgo. Ziedēšana")

June 21, 2025 | Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia | Entrance from 10:00

Programme for the commencement of the Great Day
  • 11:00
In the Kurzeme Farmstead

11.30 and 12.30 Wreath weaving workshop (leader: Līga Reitere - herbalist, keeper of traditions)

13.15 Wreath throwing

11.30 and 13.00 Folklore group "Suitu vīri"

In the Vidzeme Farmstead

12.15 and 13.15 Sauna whisk workshop

12.15 and 13.15 Folklore group "Savieši"

In the Zemgale Farmstead

11.00–13.45 Herbal carpet weaving and making workshops

11.30; 12.30 and 13.30 Folklore group "Zemgaļi"

In the Latgale Hamlet

11.00–13.45 Sauna scrub workshop

11.45 and 12.45 Folklore group "Ceidari"

In the New Farm

11.00–13.45 Pie (pīrāgi) baking workshop

11.00–13.45 Creating tea blends

12.30 and 13.15 Folklore group "Ēdol's Ķists"

At the “Breži” habitable threshing house-school

11.15; 12.15 Workshop on plant hydrolates

11.45 and 12.45 Folklore group "Skandinieki"

At the Pub Priedes krogs

11.00–22.45 Photo exhibition "Midsummer's Eve Blossoming"

11.00 and 12.30 Folklore group "Budēļi"

11.30 and 13.15 Folklore group "Vilcenes"

At the café "Pūnīte"

11.30 and 13.15 Cheese tying workshop

At the Usma Lutheran Church

11.00 and 12.30 String instrument ensemble "Kokļu klubs"

At the Borne Church

11.45 and 13.15 Riga Ķengarags Music and Art School Combined String Instrument Ensemble

14.00 - 14.45

OPENING - MIDSUMMER'S EVE BLOSSOMING

Participants TDA "Līgo", VPDK "Līgo" and "Sen Līgo", SDK "Līgo Absolventi", TDA "Līgo" children and youth studio

15.00-16.00

SONGS OF MIDSUMMER

with the band "TKP" ("Tā kā pērn") led by Ēriks Zeps

16.00-19.30

CONCERTS IN THE REGIONAL FARMSTEADS

16.00 In the Vidzeme Farmstead, dances by VPDK “Sen Līgo” and SDK “Līgo Absolventi”

16.00 In the Kurzeme Farmstead, dances by VPDK “Līgo”

17.00 In the Latgale Hamlet, dances by TDA “Līgo”

17.00 In the Zemgale Farmstead, dances by TDA “Līgo” children and youth studio

18.00 In the Latgale Hamlet, dances by TDA “Līgo”

18.00 In the Zemgale Farmstead, dances by TDA “Līgo” children and youth studio

19.00 In the Kurzeme Farmstead, dances by VPDK “Līgo”

19.00 In the Vidzeme Farmstead, dances by VPDK “Sen Līgo” and SDK “Līgo Absolventi”

20.00-21.00

SONGS OF MIDSUMMER

with the band "TKP" ("Tā kā pērn") led by Ēriks Zeps

22.00-22.30

Closing of the Great Day - world premiere of the stage folk dance mystery "Mēs Deviņi Bāleliņi"

Author choreographer Jānis Purviņš

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Frequently asked questions

Yes, you will also be able to purchase tickets at the event – in cash or with a bank card.

Yes, all event attendees will have control wristbands, so they can leave the event area and return freely by showing their wristband.

Yes, attendees will be able to purchase a hot meal as well as other solstice delicacies, drinks, and refreshments.

We invite attendees to bring their own flowers and greenery of choice, if possible, to create their own beautiful wreath.

Yes, we encourage attendees to bring a folding chair and a blanket for their comfort and convenience.

Yes, all children who are not in a stroller must have their own ticket to enter the event.

The organisers recommend arriving at the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia by bicycle, public transport, or on foot, and parking your car elsewhere in the city.

The following items are not allowed:
• Umbrellas
• Firearms, sharp objects, and pyrotechnics
• Alcoholic beverages and drugs
• Large bags (bag checks may cause delays and queues)

No, dogs are not allowed in the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia grounds.

Yes, all attendees purchasing discounted tickets must show proof of status at the entrance.
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