All throughout the summer, Riga’s Esplanade will serve as the central location where visitors will be able to find out more about Riga as European Capital of Culture in 2014.The European Capital of Culture creative information space “Esplanāde 2014” will be open and feature an extensive cultural program, as well as serve as the “Riga 2014” information center.
Organizers of the European Capital of Culture year have set up “Esplanāde 2014” as a publicly accessible space, hosting creative workshops and presentations of “Riga 2014” cultural projects. The creative information space will also feature events in the genres of theatre, film, dance, etc. The “Palace of Light” reading room will be opened in the Esplanāde structure offering a selection of books and information on functions planned for the new library and the modern services the new National Library will offer its visitors already in 2014. A café will also be open, and “Riga 2014” partner “Lattelecom” will ensure free wi-fi points, and computers will also be available to the public.
The cultural program will include “Lattelecom” film nights – European films will be shown on Wednesdays, while Latvian films will be screened on Saturdays. Wednesdays will also feature theater and dance, as well as various other performances from different genres. On Fridays, “Esplanāde 2014” will organize live musical performances, while Sundays will be orientated towards families. Various workshops will be held on Saturday mornings as well.
The Latvian town of Sigulda and the Swedish city of Umea (Sweden), which is the second of the two European Capitals of Culture in 2014, will also introduce several cultural activities taking place in their cities to the public in Riga at “Esplanāde 2014”.
The information center will also be open during this summer’s main cultural events, including the Song and Dance Festival, as well as the Riga City Festival. “Esplanāde 2014” will also serve as an information center for the Song and Dance Festival from June 30 to July 7, where Latvian Television will also operate a special studio to cover the event.
“Esplanāde 2014” will also broadcast live on large displays various Song and Dance Festival concerts and events.
“Esplanāde 2014” will be open from June 27 to mid-September every day from noon until 8:14 p.m., or until a specific event ends.
