Ielīgošana — the summer solstice festival

Ielīgošana is a cherished Latvian tradition celebrated in the days leading up to Jāņi, the summer solstice festival. In Riga, this event brings the community together to honor ancient customs through activities such as wreath-making, singing traditional songs, and dancing. Participants engage in crafting oak leaf and flower crowns, setting up symbolic gates, and enjoying folk music performances. The atmosphere is festive, with people gathering in public spaces to partake in these rituals, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Latvia. 17:00 – Wreath weaving workshops, space setup, and Jāņi gate installation with the folklore groups Grodi and Garataka 19:00 – Ielīgošana: traditional solstice songs, playful singing duels between guys and girls, and the first dance steps with TDA Ogre 20:00 – Folk dancing with Grodi and Garataka 21:00 – Preparing and raising the solstice log (pūdele), followed by a circle dance around it with the folklore group Vilkači 23:00 – More folk dancing with the group Upīte 01:00 – End of the event