In the Dome Squarethe best merchants from the craftsmen of Latvia will feature different ages in the history of Riga. Applied art designers and manufacturers of healthy delicacies will settle in log sheds and offer their produce as well as demonstrate their crafts.

Market atmosphere will be facilitated by magicians, acrobats and jugglers, street artists, living statues and a street organ player who will play romantic music from various times. The Festival guests will be able to visit the tent of an attractive fortune-teller. A mime-theatre will show fairy-tale based drama miniatures and everybody will have an opportunity to learn to dance the waltzes, Charleston, twist and disco dances. Children can look forward to acquiring various circus disciplines, making friends with the characters from fairy tales, such as Alice, Mad Hatter, White Rabbit and Queen from Alice in Wonderland and having their face beautifully painted.

In the square in front of St. Peter’s Church the wheel of timewill spin into more ancient history – there medieval atmosphere will be created by knights, merchants, musicians and actors.

The visitors will have a chance to see the demonstrations of sword battles, acquire the spearman’s skill once possessed by the home guard of the city landlords and watch a historic play about the beginnings of Riga and medieval dance performances. Craftsmen will be showing ancient crafts. Everybody will be welcome to try processing bone and horn, casting tin and candles, to try on armour and fight equipment as well as attend a medieval beauty salon.

For the full programme of the Festival see the official internet site of Riga Festival www.rigassvetki.lv.

The latest news about the Festival will also be available in the Festival information tents located around the city as well as in the website www.kultura.riga.lvand social networks www.twitter.com/rigassvetki, www.facebook.com/RigasSvetki.

Rīga Festival is offered by Rīga City Council in co-operation with Rīga Free Port Authority and Riga Tourism Development Bureau. It is organized by Education, Culture and Sports Department of Riga City Council together with the enterprises and NGOs designing specific events. Information support: Inquiry Service 1188 and publishing house “RīgasViļņi”.

During the Festival – on 16 and 17 August the city public transport will be free of charge.