LATVIA: Hundreds of blonde Latvian women march through Riga to try to bolster the national spirit in time of recession

Record ID: 449708

  • Title: LATVIA: Hundreds of blonde Latvian women march through Riga to try to bolster the national spirit in time of recession
  • Date: 31st May 2010
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) TOURIST FROM BELGIUM, MARCEL KEVIN WITH MEN WEARING BLONDE WIGS, SAYING: "It's a famous event! And I guess one time in a lifetime you have to try it, that's it."
  • Embargoed: 15th June 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Latvia
  • Country: Latvia
  • Topics: Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVA43O61QDWSAF9LAN1OCYYNY508
  • Story Text: Hundreds of blondes from throughout Latvia donned pink and fluffed up their poodles on Saturday (May 29) to take part in a parade aimed at improving morale in the crisis-stricken country.
    It was the second annual parade organized by the Latvian Association of Blondes. Unlike last years march, which was originally intended to be a one-off event, this year the parade was extended to cover two days on May 28 and 29 and to include concerts and a Marilyn Monroe look-alike competition.
    The festival "Go Blonde" was - according to the Latvian organizers - the largest event of its kind in Europe. Attendance was also up this year, with about 800 blondes taking part in contrast to the 500 that attended last year's event.
    The event began with a parade through streets of the Old Town of Riga and ended with a big party on Dome Square. The dress-code was white or pink and it came quite naturally to most participants. The ladies sang, danced, took pictures and entertained the audience during the festival, the singer on stage being - naturally - blonde.
    This might not be everyone's idea of female emancipation but the festival played with preconception about blondes, and to bring a smile to recession-weary Latvians.
    "These blondes are blondes and not because they're stupid. They're just nice and this whole event is nice because of them," participant Baiba Veipa explains the enjoyable atmosphere.
    The participants reject jokes on blondes and the attitude of the society towards blondes. They also say that they don't differ from brunettes and reds. Sometimes the blonde colour disturbs but it's only because of the society's attitude.
    "Sometimes being blonde can be an advantage, but sometimes - a disadvantage, because we all know jokes about girls with blonde hair and the attitude, but I feel great as a blonde", says blonde Lelde Gangnuse.
    "If I do something wrong, my boss tells me it's because I'm blonde, and in such moments I think of changing the colour to dark. Anyway, I take it as a joke", Zane Page shares her experience.
    Around 150 women with blonde hair have come together in the Latvian Association of Blondes which aims not only to organize different fun activities and fight off economic gloom but also to raise money for charity projects. Men are not taken into this association, perhaps it's because of the oath that every participant has to give.
    "You have to love pink colour, but it doesn't mean that you always have to wear it, although high-heeled shoes you have to wear all the time," explained Marika Gederte, president of the Latvian Association of Blondes.
    Although the festival "Go blonde" is held only for the second time, it has become popular in the whole world. Many foreign visitors participated in the festival this year and mainly tourists were seen in the audience.
    "It's a famous event! I guess one time in a lifetime you have to try it, that's it," says a Belgian tourist Marcel Kevin.
    Clint Heine and his partner Rachel Clarke came New Zealand to see the parade: "This is a good charity, but I love blondes," admits Clint. "I love blondes more that anything, you know." And Rachel laughs" "And I came to make sure he gets home ok."
    Money raised by the event was donated to a charities for disabled children in an effort to brighten the national mood amidst what has become the worst economic recession in the European Union.
    Next year, Riga's blonde ambitions are even bigger, with a blonde carnival planned - like Rio, just a little bit blonder.
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