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- Title: LATVIA: Winter solstice celebrated in Riga according to ancient Latvian custom
- Date: 30th December 2005
- Summary: (CEEF) RIGA, LATVIA (DECEMBER 21,2005) (REUTERS) (NIGHT SHOTS) VARIOUS OF CHRISTMAS MARKET IN DOM SQUARE PEOPLE LOOKING AT CHRISTMAS MARKET STALL PEOPLE AT FOOD STALL VARIOUS OF BOY ON MERRY-GO-ROUND VARIOUS OF MARKET AND STALL CLOSE OF (SOUNDBITE) (Latvian) INESE, SAYING:"I bought little bells, wax candles - it creates a special Christmas atmosphere." PEOPLE AT PIE SHOP (SOUNDBITE) (Latvian) EDITE ZACESTA, WEAVER AND SELLER SAYING: "We had dishes for mulled wine, they are sold already. We have also little bells and ornamental bottles. The linen tablecloth has also sold very well." VARIOUS OF PEOPLE MARCHING WITH YULE LOG IN OLD TOWN CLOSE OF (SOUNDBITE) (Latvian) ANDRIS KAPUSTS, FOLKLORIST, SAYING: "Certainly it is a rural tradition. Yet as many of us now live in the city and not everybody has the opportunity to go to the countryside, and the lifestyle has also changed, therefore we all come together to carry out this ritual in Old Riga." VARIOUS OF MORE OF PROCESSION WITH PEOPLE DRAGGING YULE LOG SLV PEOPLE DANCING CLOSE OF PERSON WEARING ANIMAL MASK BLOWING HORN WIDE OF PROCESSION VARIOUS OF MAN DRAGGING YULE LOG INTO POSITION AND FIRE BEING LIGHTED VARIOUS OF PEOPLE STANDING AROUND FIRE WITH TORCHES WIDE OF PEOPLE SINGING AROUND FIRE WIDE OF PEOPLE IN SQUARE WITH CHURCH IN THE BACKGROUND
- Embargoed: 14th January 2006 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Latvia
- Country: Latvia
- Topics: Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
- Reuters ID: LVA50PKECR8KSEGROTQ3A2S58YK4
- Story Text: Every year, as Christmas approaches, the traditional Christmas market is run in Dom Square, the heart of Old Riga.
For those looking for something to eat or drink, there is gingerbread, mulled wine, honey and the special Latvian dish of stewed peas. Or for Christmas gifts, people can choose from candles, ceramics and linen, among other handicrafts.
"I bought little bells, wax candles - it creates a special Christmas atmosphere," said one woman.
Alongside the Christian Christmas traditions, a more ancient ritual took place on Wednesday (December 21). On the longest night, Latvians mark the winter solstice as a victory of light over darkness. It is celebrated with a common march of folklore groups through the Old Town.
"Certainly it is a rural tradition. Yet as many of us now live in the city and not everybody has the opportunity to go to the countryside, and the lifestyle has also changed, therefore we all come together to carry out this ritual in Old Riga," said folklorist Andris Kapusts.
Traditional rituals include the dragging of the Yule log from home to home, after which it is burned. Initially it was a symbol of helping the sun to overcome the darkest moment of the year, but later represented all the bad deeds, misfortune and calamities experienced during the year, which are then purified by the fire.
And people in masks travel from house to house, singing, dancing and playing games. Typical masks include those of a horse, bear, crane and 'death'.
Wednesday's march to the Town Hall Square ended with the logs being thrown into the fire accompanied by the singing of a special folk song of light, thus leaving the past behind and space for new thoughts for the coming year. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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