LATVIA - RIGA

Very ofen I was asked why I wanted to go to Riga for my semester abroad and what there was to do here. Ofen the people around me didn't know exactly where Riga was. They had never heard of the local culture and did not know people who come from here. I wish all these people would visit Riga themselves and see what this city with its diverse surroundings it has to offer. They should get their own picture of this wonderful place and feel, in which aspects the northeast of Europe differs from Switzerland.

For me, it was moving from the countryside to the city, which meant at first getting used to things. Although Riga is a rather small city and the city centre is compact, there are so many different interesting corners: I found the most diverse museums and cafes, visited so many parks and exhibitions, marveled at so many houses. And yet, practically everything in Riga is within walking distance, which gives me a feeling of familiarity and belonging.

I also feel a certain familiarity because in this city you can read the traces of the past and people deal with it honestly. Latvia's history is very present, not only today and in relation to Ukraine, but also in the language and character of the people you can see that they appreciate what they can do, what they have and what they have achieved. And that's what the whole culture is built on. For example, I really enjoy going to "Lido", a Latvian restaurant chain with traditional Latvian food. The waiters are dressed in traditional Latvian costumes, and I usually listen to the local radio in the background. I am happy every time to visit this restaurant and see how comfortable the staff as well as the guests feel.

Besides food, traditional dance is also an integral part of Latvian culture. On May 4, Latvia celebrates its Independence Day since it broke away from the Soviet Union back on May 4, 1990. This year, as every year, various concerts and events were held all over the city, spread throughout the day. At the Freedom Monument, a large flowerbed with the outlines of Latvia was erected, into which all Riga residents as well as the city's guests could weave their brought along spring flowers. A magnificent and blooming composition was created, to which everyone could contribute in their own way. And then there was dancing: various brass bands groups from several surrounding schools came to present their musical and marching skills. They were dressed differently, had put on hats or wore uniforms. And what fascinated me the most: there were youth, maybe 15-20 years old, who were so proud and delighted to present their culture, tradition and love for the country on a big square in front of many guests.

But it is not only on Independence Day that people dance: it was at the beginning of the semester when I atended a traditional Latvian dance class with other students. A very common Friday night activity for Latvians, as we were told. Accompanied by traditional Latvian music, they showed us how they celebrate, dance and enjoy time together. I didn't know Friday nights in this form before, but it was a very interesting opportunity to get a litle deeper insight into Latvian culture.

But of course, you don't have to attend dance classes first to realize how much Latvians care about keeping and living their old traditions. A walk through the old town or the new centre of the city is enough: there are beautiful old houses, many in Art Nouveau style, which have been renovated, rebuilt or repurposed several times. You can see from the facades that the buildings have been marked by time, especially in a positive sense, and inside and on the streets new life is happening today. Riga may not be the most famous place in Europe, but the culture and way of life is certainly worth a visit.