Soon we will celebrate Summer Solstice, weave Midsummer wreaths together, welcome the shortest night of the year, sing songs by a lit bonfire and have a party all over Latvia. As usual, the Ventspils Tourism Information Centre invites you to take a look at the Midsummer celebration summary, which highlights the biggest events in Ventspils and Ventspils Region filled with beautiful Latvian traditions.
IN VENTSPILS
On Saturday, 17 June, at 12.00, a masterclass on fabric printing – “Visa laba jāņuzāle!” (All Summer Solstice Grass is Good!) will take place at the House of Crafts. Pre-registration by tel. 26385346. Fee – entrance fee to the House of Crafts. MORE. –
Tuesday, 20 June:
- – At 18.00 Ventspils mixed choir “Līvzeme” invites you to a Midsummer singing and celebration! The celebration will begin at the Gāliņciems Community Centre (Kuldīgas iela 110), and end in the garden of the H. Dorbe Museum (Ērgļu iela 1).
- – At 19.00, the play “Skroderdienas Silmačos” will take place at the Theatre House “Jūras vārti” (Karlīnes iela 40). Directed by Imants Strads, with actors from almost all major Latvian theatres: Kristīne Nevarauska, Edgars Pujāts, Madara Melne Tomsone, Ivo Martinsons, Artis Jančevskis, Imants Strads, etc. MORE.
Wednesday, 21 June:
At 15.00 story time at Herbert Dorbe’s “Conversations by the Bonfire” ghost stories at the H. Dorbe Museum. MORE.
HERB DAY
On the evening of Summer Solstice, Ventspils residents and guests are invited to visit the Seaside Open Air Museum, where Summer Solstice will be celebrated from 21.00. Songs, dances and ancient traditions, followed by the lighting of a fire sculpture and meditation by the sea. Rucava chapel “Paurupīte” will provide a lively atmosphere and dancing. Folklore group “Laipa” will recite folk songs, and youth and middle-generation dance groups “Strautuguns” will perform lively dances. Entry to all events is free. MORE.
Friday, 23 June:
- – From 7.30 to 15.00 you are invited to visit the Midsummer Celebration Market (Old Town Market, Pils iela 14).
- – At 20.00 in Reņķa Garden, Ventspils Theatre invites all those celebrating to an open-air new production “Ak, mīļo Blaumanīt!” (Oh, Dear Blaumanis!) After the performance, dancing and partying on the shortest night of the year with the Rozentāls Brothers and DJ Jānis K. MORE.
On Saturday, 24 June From 7.30 to 15.00, we invite you to visit the Midsummer Celebration Market (Old Town Market, Pils iela 14).
IN VENTSPILS REGION
In Puze, on 18 June at 18.00, a large Midsummer wreath will be made at the sign of Puze. People are invited to join in the wreath-making, bringing flowers with them.
In Piltene, on 18 June at 20.00, the event “Ielīgosim” (Let’s Celebrate) will take place in the park of the centre of Piltene.
In Pope, on 19 June at 20.00, a celebration will take place on the Pope Castle Mound with folklore groups “Pūnika”, “Urdava”, “Pill tīn”, “Laipa”.
In Pope, on 20 June at 14.00, a creative workshop for children of all ages and a celebration “Sākam Jāni daudzināt” (Lets start to celebrate Jānis) will take place in Pope Library.
In Ance, on 20 June at 16.00, Ance Library will host the opening event of the exhibition “Dziesmu un deju svētki – vasaras skaistākais notikums” (Song and Dance Festival – the Most Beautiful Event of the Summer).
In Užava, on 20 June at 19.00, a Midsummer celebration will take place. The vocal instrumental group “Līgo” will perform, and there will be a performance by the Užava Amateur Theatre. Various activities, beliefs, riddles, poems.
In Jūrkalne, on 21 June Jūrkalne Fire Meadow will offer the opportunity to experience the magic of Solstice – firewheel and firemills, traditions, rituals, songs and dances:
In the Fire Meadow, from 20.00 Ventspils region folklore groups will perform, visitors will also have the opportunity to take part in Solstice workshops and masterclasses. When the big bonfire is lit at 21.00, people will go to the sea. As the sun sets, the firewheel will roll down the steep embankment accompanied by “Suitu dūdenieki”. Then, at 23.00, the “Pūdele” will be lit in the Fire Meadow, and the ecological music group “Ducele” will play. At midnight, firemills will be turned and the magical Solstice night will be closed by dancing with the chapel “Strops”.
In Zūras, on 22 June Zūras Library will host a creative workshop “Wild Flowers” – picking flowers and creating an exhibition for Midsummer celebration.
In Zūras, on 22 June from 18.00 at the Dwarfs’ Workshop, a Midsummer celebration will take place. The band “Ventspils blūmīzeri” will perform, and various activities will take place – wreath weaving, cheese making.
In Piltene, on 22 June In the park of the centre of Piltene, at 20.00 the event “Under the Power of Solstice Magic” will take place.
In Ance, on 22 June At 22.00, a green ball with surprise effects “Zelta Šlāgeris” will take place in Ance Park, with music by Mārtiņš Voitics. Tickets – 5 euro.
In Zlēkas, on 23 June in Zlēkas Manor Park, a Midsummer evening with amateur theatre “Margots” and DJ Rimants will take place.
To give a colourful and festive Midsummer celebration to the residents and visitors of Ventspils, festive decorations have been placed around the City to create a festive atmosphere.
New this year, a flower wreath, one of the main symbols of Midsummer, will be placed in the Big Square alongside the traditional “Līgo” sign. The Town Hall Square will be decorated with Midsummer flag stands, but a special atmosphere will be created by a life-size horse with a horse-drawn cart in the colour of the Midsummer night. This will be a special place for beautiful photo moments, as anyone can sit in the chariot decorated with flowers. The traditional “Līgo” call will also be found in the form of a decoration in the centre of Pārventa by the Fountain “Dune Pine” and in the Bridge Circle on the right bank of the Venta. Decorative Midsummer flags will be displayed on lighting poles on Kuldīgas Street from Lauku Street to Raiņa Street and in the centre of Pārventa.
We wish you a magical and tradition-rich celebration!
