Today, the 22nd "Museum Night" will take place across Latvia. What do museum workers offer this time?
"Adventures of Objects"
The unifying theme of this year's "Museum Night" is "Adventures of Objects" - echoing Rainis's saying: "Even a rag was once a shirt of honor," reminding us that each object has its own story and value. Participants in "Museum Night" are invited to tell these stories in an engaging manner to interested parties.
In Riga and its surroundings, visitors to "Museum Night" can look forward to more than 82 cultural institutions. In turn, events in the regions will take place in 164 institutions.
Naturally, the museum night at the residence of the President of Latvia – the Riga Castle – traditionally attracts a huge amount of public attention, and it will be open for visits from 3 PM to midnight. Visitors will learn about the history of one of Latvia's outstanding medieval castles and get acquainted with the activities of the head of state’s institution. Those interested will also be able to see the highest state awards of Latvia, and musical performances await guests of the castle.
Nearby, the Saeima will open its doors from 7 PM to midnight. There is an opportunity to tour the parliament building – the meeting hall, the voting hall, the Yellow Hall, and the Red Hall.
From 6 PM to 10 PM, there will be a night museum exhibition at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on K. Valdemara Street, 3.
It is important to know that security checks will be conducted at the entrance to government institutions. Visitors are asked not to bring large bags, food, animals, or metal objects.
"Against Fears and Prejudices"
The Museum "Jews in Latvia" (6 Skolas Street) offers a tour of the exhibition and the exhibition "Do You Have a Purpose in Life? Margers Vestermanis - 100" (Margers - a historian who survived the Holocaust, he is alive).
A concert by the Jewish community choir "Shofar," creative workshops for children and adults, a concert by the family ensemble "Trio Rusansky" (Amsterdam), and tea with ancient stories will also take place here.
Don’t miss the unique opportunity to visit the National Center for Mental Health at 2 Tvaiku, where at 5 PM the evening will open with "Herbal Teas Against Fears and Prejudices." Tea recipes will be distributed to the first visitors. The program "Our Soviet Years in Cinematography. 1974 - 150th Anniversary" will be presented.
All day long, a walk through the Summer Solstice Garden is offered. At 10 PM - a farewell tea before bedtime. Visitors are asked to respect the evening tranquility of the patients!
Discounted Transportation
This year, "Museum Night" in Latvia is already the 22nd time. It all started in Europe in 1999 when the French Ministry of Culture invited European museums to organize a joint international campaign "Museum Spring," which later evolved into the "Museum Night" campaign. Its goal is to introduce residents who do not visit museums daily to museums.
Every year, more and more museums participate in night events aimed at popularizing museum exhibitions, as well as other public life actors - estates, exhibition halls, libraries, government administrative institutions, etc.
By the way, a pleasant addition: on the evening of May 23, the Latvian Railways promises a 50% discount on tickets for all trains that will operate after 6 PM.
