18th november

Yesterday was the National Day in Latvia. Latvia commemorates each 18th november when it gained its own independence in a rainy day of 18th november on 1918. As the great day of Latvia, it´s a holidays day, but the cities and main towns of Latvia celebrates this special day in very different and colorful ways where in Riga the very heart of the city gets full of different decorations and performances, as this 18th november was also the first of an annual event of street performances and decorations called "Staro Riga" (Festival of Light). Off we went to Riga to see the 18th november celebration as its most vivid face!

At noon, there was an army parade of different infantry squads of latvian army, along with squads from other countries as NATO sections as well:

But then, once the dusk arrives, everything gets more alive:

Staro Riga is an annual event about several installations and decoration cattered across the center of the ciy. All this lights come very in hand when night falls at 16:00, by the way. This year its first day is the same 18th november. Another reason to stay on Riga during all day!

Also there are shops.

Fire and candles cover the city, from the rivers and channels...

...to the main streets and squares.

Some installations allow people to participate in.

The Freedom Monument, main icon of Latvia´s Independence and also icon of Riga got a special illumination for this day.

And, as a final show, here are go the 18th november fireworks! A "must see" show for those who are in Riga (or surroundings) during this day.

It was this full of people, yes.