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Culture plays an important role in the formation of one’s personality - it enriches the mind and is vital to survival and well-being, gives strength and energy to the day-to-day work and the belief in the future.
One of the most important cultural centres in Latvia is the city of Daugavpils, where for every single resident and guest of the city is offered a wide, varied and qualitative range of cultural events with the participation of the artists from local and other municipalities, as well as foreign artists.
Several municipal institutions are working to provide cultural life in the city. The largest of them are: Department of Culture of Daugavpils City Council, Latvian Culture Centre, Daugavpils Mark Rothko Art Centre, Daugavpils Local History and Art Museum, Russian Culture Centre, Palace of Culture, Belarusian Culture Centre, Polish Culture Centre, Latgale Central Library, etc. Not only residents of the city of Daugavpils, but also tourists and guests visit all the events with great interest.
A number of different cultural events take place in Daugavpils: international festivals, as well as national and local city events, with the participation of residents of the city, cultural and educational institutions, public organizations, cultural societies, and municipal and state organizations. Since 2018 is the year of the Latvia’s Centenary celebrations, a large program of events dedicated to this important national anniversary is offered in Daugavpils.
The city’s artistic amateur collectives, which in total are more than 40, are actively participating in the events.
More information about cultural events in Daugavpils can be found here: www.kultura.daugavpils.lv
The largest cultural events in Daugavpils in 2018:
In February, Daugavpils will host I Daugavpils International Folk Dance Festival - 100 DANCES FOR LATVIA.
Celebrating the centenary of the Republic of Latvia, the Department of Culture of Daugavpils City Council launches a new tradition and organizes a festival aimed at popularizing traditional Latvian and foreign folk dances, developing, improving and cultivating the traditions of dance groups. Dance groups of different nationalities from all over Latvia and abroad will take part in this festival.
During the festival there will be various concerts and joint dance events, as well as master classes, during which the participants of the festival will be able to learn about folk dance traditions, techniques and methodology.
Dedication to Latvia’s Centenary. The project “The Stories of Brīvības Street in 9 Cities, Regional Symbols and Values”
Celebrating the one hundred anniversary of Latvia, in cooperation with the Latvian Association of Large Cities and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, the activities of the project “The Stories of Brīvības Street in 9 Cities, Regional Symbols and Values” are being implemented in the city of Daugavpils. A number of events are planned from April to November. Residents of Daugavpils and the region are invited to attend: the exhibition “Freedom Stories: History of a Family - History of Latvia”, opening of the Brīvības Square, and the forum “Daugavpilian in one’s heart”.
International Doll Festival in Daugavpils
In June, a new festival - International Doll Festival – is launched in Daugavpils, organized by the Daugavpils Local History and Art Museum in cooperation with the association “The Baltic Guild of Doll and Toy Artists”. During the festival there will be exhibitions of dolls, master classes of doll artists, concerts, doll artists’ fair, puppet shows.
The final concert of the International Folklore Festival “Baltica 2018”
On June 21, the closing event of the International Folklore Festival “Baltica” – Celebration of Summer Solstice, with participation of ethnic minority collectives from all over Latvia. During the closing event, collectives will show their performances, organize creative workshops and demonstrate skills in various crafts.
Each year the festival has a special theme and this time it is “Jāņi. Flowering”. The festival’s activities will take place from June 16th till June 21st, both in Riga and in all regions of Latvia.
Daugavpils City Festival
The beginning of June in Daugavpils is traditionally marked by the City Festival. During the Festival, concerts will take place both in residential areas and in the centre of the city - on Rīgas Street, Vienības Square, craftsmen fair and amusements for children, festive procession, sports competitions and other activities will be held. Usually one of the most anticipated events is the festive fireworks accompanied by music, which takes place on the banks of the river Daugava.
IV International Festival of the Military Re-enactment Clubs “Dinaburg-1812”
The festival will be held in Daugavpils fortress for the 4th time with the aim to popularize the history of Daugavpils (Dinaburg, Dvinsk) fortress and the image of the city, to cultivate culture and traditions of military re-enactment clubs and heritage preservation societies. Participants from Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Russia, Poland, as well as Great Britain have participated in the festival previously. During its short history, the festival has gained widespread popularity and interest among the visitors. As a result, the city’s popularity has increased and the scope of the festival’s activities is expanding each year.
The festival is organized by Daugavpils Tourist Information Centre in cooperation with the Department of Culture of Daugavpils City Council.
Musical August
In August 2018, the annual cycle of events “Musical August” will be held for the 6th time, when a program of concerts, cinema and other artistic activities of various genres will be offered on every Thursday of the month. During the short history of “Musical August”, this cycle of events has already managed to gain wide popularity among its visitors and has become one of the most anticipated events in Daugavpils in summertime, which takes place on open-air stages and concert halls, theatre stage, etc.
The event is organized by Daugavpils Latvian Culture Centre.
Rīgas Street Festival
It is already a tradition to celebrate Rīgas Street Festival in September in Daugavpils, when everyone has the opportunity to get acquainted with the Rīgas Street in an unusual perspective through various street concerts, campaigns, workshops, exhibitions, etc. This year celebrations will start with the activities of the Days of Daugavpils Region and will proceed with evening events. In the evening everyone will be able to participate in the activities of the festival “Lap of Honour of Latvia” dedicated to Latvia’s Centenary.
VII Music and Art Festival “Daugavpils ReStArt 2018”
During the festival, which lasts for a month, a number of concert programs and exhibitions by top-level artists will be offered. There will be an opportunity to get acquainted with art and music of various genres, styles, and ages. Culture centres and societies of the city, churches, St. Broks Daugavpils Music Secondary School, Daugavpils Design and Art Secondary School “Saules Skola” and Daugavpils Regional Association of Artists will ensure the diverse festival program together with the Department of Culture of Daugavpils City Council and Daugavpils Culture Support Society.
XI International Children and Youth Circus Art Festival “PARAD ALLE” 2018
In October, the Daugavpils Palace of Culture invites everybody to the magnificent and exciting XI International Children and Youth Circus Art Festival “Parad Alle”. Brave acrobats, brilliant equilibrists, and masterful jugglers will compete for the GRAND PRIX award. A breathtaking, colourful and positive atmosphere is guaranteed.
Major national and city-wide events in Daugavpils in 2018:
• City celebration “Maslenitsa”;
• Spring concert “Tribute to Women";
• “Solomon Mihoels Days 2018” in Daugavpils, dedicated to the creative work of an outstanding actor, director, teacher and public figure S. Mihoels;
• Art Days in Daugavpils;
• Poetry Days;
• Easter celebrations;
• Celebration of “Līgo” in Daugavpils;
• Days of Slavic Culture in Daugavpils;
• Celebration of the 28th anniversary since the restoration of independence of the Republic of Latvia in Daugavpils;
• Celebration of Lāčplēša Day and Proclamation Day of the Republic of Latvia, torchlight procession;
• Lightening of the city’s Christmas tree, the Second Day of Christmas and the New Year’s celebration events.
There are several municipal culture institutions in Daugavpils city:
