Winter videos

There are many perks to living in Latvia, like, I can buy pīrāgi at the grocery store. WHENEVER I WANT.  Or, how my aerobics classes are in latvian, which makes it so much more enjoyable...

But, I've got to say, it's being able to go to small events to boost my folk-loving soul with some folk traditions and awesomeness.... last week I went to a "Ringing in Christmas" celebration, which aimed to teach about how Latvians traditionally celebrated the holidays...  it involves dressing up in costumes, eating beans (with your hands), singing and dancing, and having a darn good time!

Here are two videos of holiday traditions:

1. Skandinieki is a folklore group, which really knows how to rock it.  Creme de la creme of groups in my opinion, upholding traditions and not infusing them with new-age arrangements of songs.  Purity.  Wholesome goodness.

2. A clip from tonight's festivities...  While we were in the process of dragging the logs around Old Town, we stopped for a bit to listen to some music and dance!  Mostly to warm up in the cold!

Happy Winter Solstice!

(Getting rid of the bad, bringing in the good!)

Happy Winter Solstice!

The Holiday season is upon us.  It's officially the shortest day, longest night of the year... that means it's only going to get brighter from here on, folks!  I'm ready for the sun to make it's way back (although I know it won't be for a while...), it was completely dark by 4pm today... that's a bit early for me!  Rīga has been rainy... very, very rainy this year and we're experiencing a unusually warm winter.  Today, thankfully, it was not raining and a wonderful winter chill was in the air- it wasn't even as windy as it has been.

School is over... for now... I have one exam to complete in January, but have completed/handed in/presented everything else for my remaining classes.  Feels good!  1/4 Grad school semesters under my belt... I'd love to take some time and tell you about all of my complaints and head aches concerning classes and day to day etiquette at the University, but that would surely ruin the holiday spirit in this post, so I'll leave that for another time...

Tonight we celebrated Winter Solstice in Rīga.  Folk groups and folk-enthusiasts came together to drag the log around Old Town.  This tradition helps us get rid of the junk we've piled onto our souls the past year, the bad things that may have happened to us, the bad things we may have done ourselves... by burning the log after reflecting on the past year and saying out loud your hopes for the coming year, we bring in the good, fresh, clean slate that a new year symbolizes.  Singing and dancing are a big part of the entertainment on such a dark night as this, but I must say, with all of the lanterns and Christmas decorations in Old Town, Rīga is glowing!  Here are some pictures of the Log celebration, followed by some Rīga sights as they were on this evening, December 21, 2011.

(Such a rush of people!)

 (En route!)

(There's one of the few logs!)

(Young and old joined in, at Doma Laukums)

(The tree in Doma Laukums)

(Bundled up in the cold)

(Budēļi arī bija klāt!)

(Burning the past year's wreathes)

(Musicians and dancers)

*****

(Is this Disney Land?)

(The market in Līvu Laukums)

 (The tree by the Opera and Milda)

(The market in Doma Laukums)

 (Remember to clean up after yourself!)

(Holidays in Rāts Laukums)

(My favorite subject... Milda 21/12/2011)

18. Novembrī... Staro Rīga!

 (The best feeling was walking out of the apartment and seeing EVERYWHERE Latvian flags)

And there went that weekend!  Amazingly emotional, full of great sights and sounds that only added to the wonderful feeling of experiencing Latvia's birthday for the first time IN Rīga.  Simply awesome and I'm at a loss for words.  So, I'll do my best to share with you the celebrations through pictures and videos!

("Mēs mīlam Latviju!" We love Latvija!)

Friday morning, I woke up feeling energized and ready to take on the day.  It was very cloudy, but the air was crisp and winter-ish.  However, everyone kept commenting that this was the first year in a long time that it hadn't already snowed.  I guess other years it's a miserable time drudging through the wet, snowy streets of Rīga trying to participate in everything that is happening- maybe that's also why the streets were so incredibly crowded!  I missed the military parade (although I could hear it from the apartment!), but went to see the flower ceremony at the national monument.  This is a moment when all of the important heads of state, parliament, ambassadors, etc come together and in a long and ceremonious procession place flowers under the national freedom monument.  Military stands at guard, the military band plays patriotic music and the mood is solemn, yet powerfully uniting.  After the officials take their turn at placing their flowers, the rest of us- the public- has the chance to push and fight our way to the monument and pay our respects to our past and whisper a prayer for the future of our country (here's to another 93 years!).

(Playing the national anthem, "Dievs, Svētī Latviju," before the flower procession ceremony)

(Lined up and ready to go!)

(From the back)

 

(Remember to look up)

(Flags, flags, flags!)

After meandering around a bit longer, I got cold and warmed up until the evening was truly to begin!  First on the list was going to the Museum of Occupation for a short concert by the folklore group Vilkači.  One of the original groups that got me excited about folklore and traditions, for sure!  Although not in their full line up, the small and intimate performance set a nice tone for the evening.  In between songs each member talked about what this day means to them- mentioning that it is quite a wonder that we are free to celebrate this day, when only some-odd years ago it was forbidden.  Or that in the near future we'll be celebrating the longest stretch of Latvian independence (since first independence in 1918).  There is a lot to be thankful for.

(Vilkači sing Karā iešu es māmiņa)

After the concert we decided to go experience Staro Rīga (Rīga shines/glows).  This is a full-on light show all around town, with different exhibits, effects and fun things to look at.  Some more successful than others, but overall a great way to spend the chilly night!  Water-fountain shows, light projections on buildings, even the still-being-built national library had pop-up letters that spelled out folk songs!  Here are some of those sights.

(Outside the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia- the lanterns were only for November 18th)

(Looping around to Domu baznīca)

("Sveicu, mana mīļā... Esmu un būšu..." by the President's castle)

(Jūlija, Imanta, Antra outside the President's castle)

(Jūlija, Antra, Madara by the Saeima building)

(Pulvertornis from a different angle...and design.  This was an interactive station, where motion detected sensors would move the icons and play different notes as you waved your hands around.  In result, you heard weird bells, like dissonant Balinese music. Not a fan, but it looked cool.)

(On the 18th was organized a lantern walk through Old Town by one of the more nationalist parties)

(Beautiful ship-lanterns hung throughout Bastejkalns)

(View from the top of Bastejkalns)

(Water fountain show at Vērmaņu dārzs)

(Santa is also a part of Rīgas story)

(Bike to play music and make the characters move faster!)

(Creepy b&w horse movies...)

It's weird not to have Thanksgiving as the calendar-point to mark the beginning of the holiday season, but this weekend definitely put me in a festive mood that I'm ready to start listening to Christmas music... Thinking of everyone back in the States going to ALJA Kongress in D.C. this week and wishing them a productive and joyful time.  Priekā!

11.11.11.

(Flowers by the Freedom Monument on 11.11.11)

11.11.11, quite an awesome day!  I really enjoy the symmetry of the date, it sends good, powerful vibes.  Supposedly there were two babies born in Latvia on this date at the time 11:11!  Now that's going to be an interesting fun fact to keep for oneself.

Much to be celebrated on a day like this, for starters, the 35th Anniversary of the folk-group Skandinieki!  They held a small concert before heading out to sing for the general public in honor of Lāčplēša diena.  The mood was joyous and celebratory and everyone joined in song and dance, creating a true feeling of family and unity.

(Singing about not falling out of the cart...)

I should also mention that this past week was the celebration of Mārtiņi, a time to celebrate the year's crops and to mark the beginning of winter months.  During the concert Skandinieki also played their games and poked people in the audience with the traditional carrot and two onions... I'll let you decide for yourself the meaning of that one!

(If you guess the riddle, you'll get to keep the ornament!)

And now we come to my favorite song of the evening!  I had heard it before and that's also why I knew I liked it so much.. 

Kūlies pati, kunga rija, kunga rij'

Kad nebija kūlējiņa, kūlējiņ'!

Rājies pati, brāļa māsa

Kad nebija rājējiņ!

Es izklūlu kunga riju

Ar vītola sprigulīti.

Es mūžiņu nodzīvoju

Ar neveiklu tēva dēlu.

Elle, elle kunga rija,

Ellē kunga piedarbiņis.

Ko ellē'i izkūlāmi

To uz Rīgu aizvedām!

Following the conert, everyone headed out to Strēlnieku laukums, the square nearby to continue singing to celebrate Lāčplēša diena.  Vilkači, Vilki, Skandinieki, and eventually Skyforger went on to play, but I had other business to take care of- a first gig at Paddy Whelan's pub and spending time with my dear friend Dāvid, who used to live in Rīga, but now lives in Brussels!  (It's thanks to him that I have this current apartment...)  The rest of the weekend was a wild time...

(Dāvids, Imanta, Jūlija)

Katy Perry's "The One that Got Away" ...

It seems that this fall has brought a lot of good press to us Latvians!

There's the new show New Girl, with Zooey Deschanel, where one of her roommates was a former basketball player in Latvia.

 

There's the back story to Liz Lemon's middle name on the show 30 Rock - Miervaldis.

Now, there's Katy Perry's newest music video for the song "The One that Got Away", where at minute 1:20 you can see the L.A. Latvian hall and some Latvians dancing folk dances!  There we are people, making a splash and letting everyone know we're HERE.

Halloween, a goodbye and other random bits

(With Jūlija at Jautrā Lapsa for our Halloween gig)

Halloween has come and gone... Although the tradition is not that popular here in Latvia, some essence of it was felt in Riga.  Bars were decked out in spider webs, some people had attempted to carve a pumpkin, and on Halloween night I even noticed some ghouls and goblins wandering the streets!  I myself participated as a little witch, who had a job to do- entertain the guests of Jautrā Lapsa- the newest bar KB and I have started to work with.  Here's a clip of one of our songs!

Along with these fun parties, it's coming to that point when I'm the one to stay and have to say goodbye to friends leaving for bigger, better things...

(Vēsma and I)

My dear friend Vēsma, who I've only gotten to know well quite recently, is about to return back to her home in Australia (for good reason- to get married!).  Vēsma has really helped me get a grip on being a returning-Latvian living in Riga, herself an Aussie raised chickadee who returned to the motherland a few years back.  She welcomed me with open arms, a violin and jam sessions galore- making these past two months full of songs, new opportunities, and generous friendships.  PALDIES, Vēsmai par visu!  We will surely miss her bright and spunky smile and upbeat groove, awaiting her return to Latvija.

(Freedom Monument, November 5, 2011)

On another note, the city has begun its preparations for Independence day celebrations!  Already today, I noticed the newly hung Latvian flags on lampposts and people walking around with Latvian flags in their hands.  It's a month of pride and great cheer and I'm excited to finally be a part of it.

(View of the University through Fall-colored leaves)

Kaira visits Riga and has many feelings...

Imanta and Kaira

The grand finale of our time together, taking a picture at the Freedom Monument

Two weeks ago my friend Kaira came to visit.  Kaira is an American-Latvian, comme moi, and enjoys having a good, rowdy time wherever she may be.  The last time she was in Latvia was on her "Sveika, Latvija" trip, which is a trip offered by the American Latvian Association to give kids just finishing Latvian school the chance to travel around Latvia for two weeks and see the land they've been hearing about for so long.  Needless to say, Latvia had changed a lot since then... and so had Kaira.  So she was coming to Rīga for the first time as a willing adult and ready to see this wonderful place for all it is!

As fate may have had it, a trip to Latvia also meant dealing with some crazy existential identity questions.  There we were wondering what the heck this place means to us?  Do we belong here?  Are we more Latvian, more American, more something else?  I have to admit that I had already mulled these intense questions of identity a few years back, when I returned for the first time as a young adult in 2008.  So these reactions coming from Kaira were not foreign and I had prepared myself for them.  All in all, I'm glad she had them.  I think all of us American-Latvians need to experience these feelings and questions to help us decide why we continue being active in American-Latvian society and how Latvia can be a part of our future.  (That being said, I feel a bit guilty that I'm writing this in English....)

In my case, (and this realization has come only in these last weeks of living here) I was faced with this identity crisis of sorts while living in America.  I had to constantly explain to people around me why I did things the way I did, taking on the title of the "stinky Latvian" among high school friends, etc, etc.  Even among Latvian friends this issue would come up when I would get frustrated with youth organization events lacking substance that would force us to discuss this identity that we all claimed to hold so dear to our hearts.  So, how do you resolve this conflict, crisis of identity?  Coming to Latvia, living here for two months now, it is slowly becoming clear that for me, all that needed to be done was to take out the factor that was causing problems- to put it bluntly- America.  I'm in Latvia, I'm Latvian, that's all there is to it.  Obviously, now I'm faced with a backward trend of having to explain my story of coming to Latvia as a product of immigrants and diaspora upbringings, but what it all comes down to is that I've always felt a stronger pull to the Latvian side of my identity.  Being here feels a-okay.  Who knows how I'll feel a month, two months, two years from now, but for now it's this.

So how to make this momentous visit as fruitful and exciting as possible for a dear friend as she's experiencing the most intense feelings?  (FEELINGS was a key term of the week spent together)  We dove right into those feelings and I'm not sure if we've come out head-first, but here's a look at some of the adventures we had!

(First night in Rīga- a late night visit to Aptieka aka Pharmacy Bar for hot Balsam and currant juice)

 (Kaira with the funky cat statue that reminded us of our friend Gints Grinbergs)

(A much needed break at Mārtiņa beķereja for some pīrāgi!)

  (Exploring Centrāltirgus and buying one pickle)

(This one definitely requires some explanation:  At the same time as Kaira was in Latvia, our friends back on the East Coast of the USA were preparing for Rudens Svētki/Fall Fest at camp in the Catskills.  We decided to send our love across the ocean, take pictures of our blunders and celebrate Rudens Svētki along with them!)

 (And here we go!  Imanta and Kaira at ALA Folkbar, drinking Lemberga shots in the colors of the Latvian flag!)

 (Serious Soviet faces, at Ezītis Miglā)

 (Mischievous Imanta and Kaira)

(We even got innocent by-standers to join us in the fun! Vēsma and Santa)

(Fall Fest is celebrated in a house called Rota... Rota also means jewelry in Latvian... well, we found Rota, in which ever sense of the word!)

(Kaira's last night we went to the Sviests IV disk presentation concert.  The emcee asked the audience where the group "Tērvetes Trubadūri" was from- Tērvete- which is in Canada, and Kaira yelled out the answer, winning a free cd!)

(Celebrations continued back at ALA Folkbar with our favorite folk musicians!)

 (Kaira outside the bar "Fīlings", which we felt summed up her trip quite well.)