Create Your Experience in Riga

Take a good look at those Levi’s brand jeans you’re wearing. See those rivets that help prevent the pockets from ripping off? If you’re as amazed by the genius of those rivets as we are, then you have Jacob W. Davis, a Jewish tailor from Rīga to thank. 

DJ Lethal (far left in the photo) of the American rap-metal group Limp Bizkit was born in Rīga, Latvia.
His real name is Leor Dimant. Before joining Limp Bizkit, DJ Lethal played with the Boston-based rap band House of Pain. 

The famous Minox miniature “spy” camera was developed and manufactured by Walter Zapp in Rīga, Latvia. The first production model was even named after the city.
Zapp created the camera in 1936, but the first commercial model—the “Riga”—was made in 1938 and carried a “Made in Latvia” marking

Served in the Russian army against the Turks, before retiring to his estate in Dunte (north of Riga) in 1780's, where he would recount his exaggerated anecdotes, which were later picked up by an impoverished writer from London. 

The most popular James Bond baddie of all time was something of a fraud. The character might have been Latvian, but the actor certainly wasn't. Worse still, the 'evil' Goldfinger had to rely on an English actor called Michael Collins to dub over his voice as he couldn't muster up the necessary English for his lines.

Everyone's favourite underdogs from Euro 2004, especially as they famously held Germany to a draw.  Marian Pahars once played  for Southampton in the English Premier League.These days Latvia's most talented player is Maris Verpakovskis.  Fancy watching Latvia in action? Contact us for details.

Real life inspiration and prototype for Paul Hogan's character in Crocodile Dundee. In 1945 Blumentals was forced to leave Latvia when the country was once again occupied by the USSR. From 1955 Arvids, generally know as Crocodile Harry, became Australia's best known crocodile hunter. Arvids has been honoured in his native town of Dundaga in Latvia by the erection of a two tonne stone crocodile.

The world's most renowned dancer was born in Riga in 1948. Baryshnikov famously did a runner from the Kirov Ballet when they were tourimg Canada in 1974. Defection proved to be a shrewd move, as Baryshnikov's career went from strength to strength. Within three years of leaving the USSR he was starring in Hollywood films, and even received an Oscar nomination.

Not to be confused with Welsh badboy footballer Robbie Savage, Kevin, who was the slightly annoying star of the television smash "The Wonder Years", is rumoured to have Latvian heritage. 

Riga claims to be the birthplace of the Christmas tree when, in 1510, a group of Riga merchants first decorated a fir tree with flowers in honour of the birth of Christ. This tradition then spread throughout the Christian world. However if you believe the Estonians, they have been decorating Christmas trees since 1411.

This used to be one of the most popular medicines sold in Europe. Made from a variety of herbs, and extremely alcoholic, it is generally considered by the Latvians as a cure for everything.  Drunk on its own or enjoyed in coffee or on ice.

Many consider Inessa Galante to be one of the world's finest sopranos. Born in 1954, Galante performed in Germany in 1992 and made her recording debut two years later. Inessa often returns to Riga and if you are lucky enough, you might be able to catch her performing live at the Latvian National Opera House. Contact us for tickets to the Latvian National Opera.

Brainstorm, or Prata Vetra as they are known in Latvia, are the country's most successful musical export . They gained international attention when they finished third in the 2000 Eurovision Song Contest with the song "My Star". Last year they played to 40,000 fans in a concert in Riga and later the same year they won the MTV Music Award for the Best Baltic Act. They have toured with the Rolling Stones and REM. Catch them performing in concert in Latvia with Riga Out There.

Pahars was one of the leading scorers in the English Premier League when he signed for Southampton FC in 1999. He has scored 15 goals to date for the national team and is still regarded as one of Latvia's leading sportsmen. You can see Pahars play for Latvia in the forthcoming UEFA European Championships Qualifiers. Contact us for ticket details and our exclusive match-day VIP packages.

The Latvian president is recognised as being one of the most powerful and influential women in the world. When Koffi Annan announced he was leaving the United Nations Vike-Freiberga became one of the favourites to take over the UN’s top job before eventually losing out to the career diplomat with the comedy name, Ban Ki-moon.
The parallels between Latvia’s ‘iron lady’ and former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher even extend to the haircut and slightly dubious taste in clothes.

Verpakovskis scared the hell out of the German defence at the 2004 European Football Championships in Portugal. With skill and lightning pace as well as an eye for goal Verpakovskis had a spell at Dynamo Kiev before moving to Spanish Premier League club Getafe in November last year. Verpakovskis already has 20 international goals under his belt.

Rubenis was the toast of the whole Latvian nation last year when he became the first Latvian athlete to ever win a medal at the Winter Olympics. He did so in the men’s single luge in Turin. Rumour has it that part of his success is down to a bizarre detox-diet. If you fancy imitating Rubenis’ attempts at the luge (minus the detox) then contact us for information on doing the bobsleigh in Latvia.

The angelic violinist is a rare natural talent, and what’s more she is still only 26. Nowadays Baiba lives in Germany but if she pops back into town to play a concert you can be sure we will be the first to let you know. For more information about classical concerts contact us.

Most Latvians refer to Raimonds Pauls as simply ‘the maestro’.  Pauls is the quintessentially Latvian pianist and composer. He performed his 70th birthday concert in front of a 24,000 sell out crowd last year. Contact us for details about his upcoming concerts in Latvia.

Nobody has done more to put Latvian cinema on the map in recent years than the talented film producer Laila Pakalnina. With 17 documentaries and 3 feature films to her name Paklanina continues to go from strength to strength. For a full insight into how films are made in Latvia why not take a day trip to the country’s famous film backlot?
Enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at Latvia’s cinema village.