The former cinema 'Spartak' has a new name again; hundreds of thousands of euros were invested in its reconstruction 0 9

By naming the hall after the award-winning animated film Straume (Stream), the cinema aims to remind viewers that films of world-class quality are being made in Latvia. Straume is the first Latvian film nominated for the American Academy Award and won an Oscar in the category of 'Best Animated Feature'. The film has won over 80 international awards and has been shown in 45 countries, attracting millions of viewers.

As noted by the producer and co-writer of the film, Matis Kaja, the team behind Straume is proud that the art cinema hall in Riga is named after the film.

"It is especially pleasing that this is not just a symbolic renaming — the hall has truly undergone significant changes," emphasized Kaja.

During the renovation, the hall received substantial visual and technical updates. The interior is designed in a 'black box' style — in dark tones and with a minimalist design that creates a gallery effect and highlights the main feature of the hall — visual motifs dedicated to the theme of Straume. The walls of the hall are now adorned with embedded frames from the film.

The cinema has also implemented a number of technological and viewer-comfort solutions that meet modern cinema viewing requirements. A heated floor system and 11 infrared heating panels have been installed to ensure the right temperature in the room. New ergonomic chairs have also been added to the hall.

The hall is equipped with the latest 4K projector, capable of displaying very high-resolution images — no less than 4000 pixels horizontally. New wireless headphones for simultaneous translation of films and other events have been introduced.

'Splendid Palace' has preserved the historical artworks that were previously displayed in this hall. In 1972, artists Einar Plukshna, Vladimir Bekmanis, and Vitold Kacherevski, under the guidance of architect Edvins Vecumnieks, created a figurative composition for the cinema, which was then called 'Spartak' and was built in 1969 next to the 'Riga' cinema.

Initially, the sculptures were located in the entrance area of the cinema, but after the 'Spartak' hall was joined to 'Splendid Palace' in 1998, they were moved to the Small Hall. Now, after the hall has been given a new name, these works of art have been preserved and are available for viewing by visitors upon exiting the 'Straume' hall.

In 2024, 'Rīgas nami' operated with a turnover of 27.5 million euros and losses of 178,650 euros. The company's authorized capital is 109.6 million euros, and the owner is the Riga municipality.