On August 31st at 9:30 PM, the traditional Ancient Fire Night event will take place at the Staldzene Cliffs. This annual event continues to attract more people each year, and its program has become more diverse, encompassing various art forms. This time, the concert program by the singer-songwriter Imants Daksis, surrounded by coastal pine trees, will be accompanied by video stories by the artist Mersedese Margoit. Additionally, a performance involving fire, offering a slightly primal atmosphere, will take place on the beach, along with a large-scale video series titled “LIGHT IN THE DARK.”
For those craving the unconventional, there will be an opportunity to experience Imants Daksis’ concert program “Finally the Happy Sharks,” featuring songs about the search for love, complemented by Mersedes(e) Margoit’s psychedelic video stories. The musician’s songs are known for their vivid lyrics, which easily evoke visual associations and stimulate the imagination. His photo collages will also be on display.
As darkness falls, multimedia artist Andris Kreicburgs and DJ Roadchanger, also known as Emīls Ašmanis, will amaze everyone with fire and sound performances, where various live fire elements will create light, warmth, color, and sound effects.
The video series exhibition “LIGHT IN THE DARK” will bring together ancient coastal traditions and modern technologies, breaking down the barriers of time. Ancient Fire Night is not only a tradition of unity for the Baltic Sea peoples but also a time for each individual living here to recognize their origins and history. It has shaped our customs, destinies, enriched, and taught the coastal peoples. We light the fire on the shore as a symbol of our home, safety, and belonging here. The sea is a resource for survival, strength, peace, and spirituality for the Baltic peoples. It is deeply embedded in our folklore and traditions.
To ensure that more residents can attend the “Ancient Fire Night” event at the Staldzene Cliffs, PSIA “Ventspils Reiss” will organize an additional bus route departing at 9:00 PM from the Ābolu Street stop in Gāliņciems. The return route from Staldzene to Ābolu Street will be at 11:10 PM.
We encourage visitors to arrive at the event by bicycle, using the newly created bike path that leads from the city directly to the Staldzene Cliffs.
