Latvia celebrated their 99th year of independence on November 18th! We drove into Riga to find the city was full of lights everywhere--artistic demonstrations of lights, special red and white colored lights and windows lit up on buildings, flags everywhere of course, etc. We had fun walking around the city finding all of the different ways light was used and watching the locals celebrate their country. We can only imagine how big the celebration is going to be next year for 100 years! Next year we might have to use public transportation to get around instead of driving because it was impossible to find parking!
The Freedom Monument all lit up and decorated with red and white flowers at its feet to look like the flag. The monument was erected to honor those soldiers that died during the Latvian War of Independence in 1918-1920. It says, "For fatherland and freedom."
Actors acting out something we couldn't understand. ;)
A black and white film being projected on the side of a building.
A lit outline of the freedom monument where you could stand in. The line was so long that I had to just take a picture of a stranger. ;)
We had to cut the exploring down a little because Thomas was freezing! We all were actually freezing in the bitter cold humid breeze, but he was the worst. He hadn't layered as much as the rest of us (leggings under pants, 3 layers up top, etc.). Apparently we missed the tiki torches that everyone lit at one point and walked the streets together. Next year! We were glad we went and got to see how the Latvians celebrate their Independence Day at night!
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