Riga is a venue for Cultural Events

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Riga is a venue for Cultural Events
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Content

• 1. Riga in figures
• 2. Riga history in Brief
• 3. People Make Cities
• 4. Riga nowadays(current cultural events)

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Riga in Figures

• Year of foundation 1201
• Population 736,000 people
• Location by the river Daugava
• Area 307 sq.km
• Languages Latvian is the official state
  language. Russian is the mother tongue for one
  third of the population.
• Religion Lutheran,Catholic,Orthodoxsevices in
  the English language take place at the Anglican
  church in the Old City.
• PresidentAndris Berzinsh

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Riga History in Brief

• It was fouded in 1201 by Bishop Albert arrived
  from Bremen with 500 crusaders .The area had
  already been settled for a long time before(about
  2500 B.C.).

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The middle of the 13th century

• Then ...
• Albert founded the Order of the Brothers of the
  Sword in order to convert the native population
  to Christianity. It lasted until 1236 when the
  Order was defeated and became the Livonian Order
  ,part of the Teutonic Knights.

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The Haensetic League

• Riga continued to grow and in 1282 joined the
  Haensetic League,an alliance of trading cities
  and their merchants.

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The Polish, the Swedish, the Russians

• In 1561 the Livonian Order was defeated and
  the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth took control
  of Riga .Later ,in 1621, Riga became under the
  rule of king of Sweden. Then the Great Northern
  War brought Peter the Great to Rigas doorstep
  and in 1710 he conquered the city. The Russians
  rule lasted almost 200 years.
• Riga in the middle of the 16th century
• 
  

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The Riga society in the 19th century

• During all these wars the power in Riga remained
  in the hands of German merchant class .In the
  19th c. a middle class of educated Latvians
  appeared. The Riga Latvian society was founded in
  1868 and they organised the first Song Festival
  in 1873.

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Riga and the First World War

• By this time Riga was a big port and the third
  biggest city in the Russian Empire. After the 1st
  World War ,in 1918,Latvia declared its
  independence.

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Riga during the Second World War

• In 1939 Stalin and Hitler divided Europe and
  Latvia was between them. It became under the rule
  of Soviet government and deportation began.
• The Nazis took rule in 1941.A Ghetto and
  concentration camp was set up in Riga.

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The End of the War

• In 1944 Latvia was released from the Nazis. The
  Soviet rule lasted until 1991.
• Riga in Soviet times.

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Restoration of Independence

• In 1989 a human chain, the Baltic Way was
  formed, running from Tallinn to Vilnius and
  passing through Riga, as a protest against the
  occupation of the Baltic countries. In January
  1991, an attack on the TV tower in Vilnius led to
  the barricading of the city. Seven people died in
  attacks on the barricades. On the 6th of August
  1991, Latvias independence was recognised by the
  Soviet Union.

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People make cities(Links with the British)

• Riga and its mayor George Armistead

The name of this gentleman with the spouse is
George Armistead, the most notable mayor of Riga
through its all history.During his rule
1901-1912 Riga has been changing a lot.He is the
person who wasn't afraid to change Riga look,
destroy wooden houses and build new building in
Art Nouveau style. He had built many schools,
hospitals, central market, had setup a Riga Zoo.
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George Armistead, facts from biography

• He was born in Riga ,in the family of a British
  merchant.He studied abroad, in Zurich and Oxford,
  worked as an engineer in Russia, then returned to
  Riga. In 1901 he was elected Mayor of Riga.
  During his time many buildings were reconstructed
  and many new ones were built.
• Some theatres, museums, libraries were built and
  3 hospitals opened.
• Childrens hospital,Vienibas Gatve str.
  Rigas First hospital

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Art Nouveau(Jugendstil) in Riga

• Also some 600 Art Noveau buildings were
  constructed in Riga during the time of
  G.Armistead.

Art Academy of Latvia is one of the most
remarkable buildings of Riga. It was built in
1905 and joins two most popular Rigas
architecure styles Gothic and Art Nouveau.
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Parks

• Some parks were created and reconstructed during
  the time of G.Armistead.He was also responsible
  for for the creation of Europes first forest
  suburb (Kaiserwald) nowadays known as
  Mežaparks,for the opening of Riga Zoo.

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The First Tram

• The first electric tram line was created during
  the time of G.Armistead as mayor.

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More objects...

• The Fire Station in Hansas street
  The Water Tower in Alises street.

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Rigas 800th Anniversary

• In 2001 Riga celebrated its 800th birthday
  anniversary.In 2004,Latvia joined the European
  Union and NATO.

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Riga-2014,How Are You?(Current Cultural Events)

• Riga is already a venue for cultural events but
  in 2014 it will become the cultural epicentre of
  Europe.During its year as European capital of
  culture hundreds of special events will take
  place.

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Kaleidoscope of Cultural Events

• Event Organ music concert at Riga Dome
• Date 16.04 2014

Experienced Latvian organ players, as well as
guests from Italy, Holland, Petersburg, Finland,
and many other countries participate in concerts
of organ music.
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Ballet

• Event 19th International Baltic Ballet Festival
  
• Date 07.04.2014-18.05.2014

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Opera

• Event Riga Opera Festival
• Date03.06.2014-15.06.2014
• The first festival of such scale in Northern
  Europe

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Museums

• Event Night of Museums
• Date 17.05.2014

Around 120 Latvian museums will participate at
the European Night of Museums on May 19. Doors
will be opened also to a number of theatres,
concert halls, libraries, universities and
historical buildings.
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Exhibitions

• Event The Baltic Jewel exhibition
• Date 15.05.2014-23.12.2014
• This exhibition presents the most interesting
  pieces from the collection of the Latvian
  National History Museum from the Stone Age until
  modern times.

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Festivals

• Event Riga City Festival 2014
• Date 15.08.2014-17.08.2014
• It is the main annual event,a kaleidoscope of
  musical,artistic,theatrical and dance
  performances,sports events and attractions.

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Quiz

• When was Riga founded?
• A 1250 B 1209 C
  1201

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Quiz

• Who founded Riga?
• . King Alfred .Bishop Albert .King Arthur

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Quiz

• Who firstly took control of Riga?
• A the Polish B the Swedish C the Russians

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Quiz

• When did Latvia declare its first independence?
• A in 1920 B in 1930 C
  in 1918

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Quiz

• When did Latvia declare its second independence?
• A in 1989 B in 1990 C in
  1991

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Quiz

• What was George Armistead?
• A a president B an architect C a mayor

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Quiz

• What year did Riga celebrate its 800th
  anniversary?
• A in 2000 B in 2002 C in 2001

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Quiz

• What is Riga-2014?
• A a place of European summit
• B a famous resort
• C a Eurpoean capital of culture

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Quiz

• How many towers can you see on the panorama of
  Riga?
• A 12 B 9
  C 7

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Thank you For Attention!