Get Yourself Wrapped into Culture This Summer in Cēsis!
Cēsis, the heart of Vidzeme region in Latvia, is what might be called the Middle of the Midland (Vidzeme translates literally as Midland). It is the cultural centre of the region and one of the oldest and most authentically Latvian cities in the country. Thus, not surprising, Cēsis is one of three Latvian cities besides Riga and Liepaja, which continues the competition to get the title of European Capital of Culture 2014.
The European Capital of Culture program of 2014 proposed by Cēsis covers the whole territory of Vidzeme, one of the four historic regions of Latvia, in partnership with the rest of the Vidzeme authorities. The emotional objective sought by Cēsis and its partner cities is to outline the ways in which the small can become great and that exactly the culture is the best measure of all things.
Yet the plans of wrapping each partner city in a genre of art, turning them into a giant exhibition hall or a grand temporary stage might become real in 2014, the cultural visitors are warmly invited to visit Cēsis and enjoy citys artistic events already now - in summer 2009. Since the city has become one of the leading active culture centres outside of Riga, this summer will be another success story in terms of offering high quality cultural events of local and international renown for the inhabitants and foreign visitors.
On May 16 Cēsis Art and History Museum amazes the visitors with the extraordinarily rich and diverse program of the International Night of Museums. Towns Museum takes part in the event since 2005 and as one of the participating museums in Latvia offers free admission for an evening and organise different events on a nationally-chosen theme. This year it will be all about travelling traveling costumes, accessories and vehicles of different times, virtual and field excursions, different cuisines and other travelling activities of different sorts will be at visitors service throughout the night. The overall aim of this one-evening annual event, which initially was launched by the French Ministry for Culture & Communication, to get as wide a public as possible interested in visiting museum collections, has come true. Last year 7000 people visited the Museum Nights activities of Cēsis Museum and delved into the rich and diverse collections housed in the Cēsis Castle Manor.
On June 6 and 7 Cēsis celebrates the medieval festival Livonia. 1378. Wenden. These days Cēsis Castle Manor will turn into gates of history, and every visitor will be offered the opportunity to enjoy seven centuries old traditions and to compete, wrestle, learn and try varied different medieval activities hand in hand with merchants, craftsmen, peasants, and musicians of the medieval times.
From the 25th of July until the 15th of August Cēsis hosts the annual Cēsis Arts Festival, the largest officially recognised festival of professional arts in Latvia. The largest ambition of the festival this year is to bring Andrew Lloyd Webber's rock musical Jesus Christ Superstar to the open air stage in Cēsis Castle Park. Moreover a rich program featuring a diverse range of art forms including classical music concerts, visual art exhibitions, opera and drama performances will reflect on the most significant events in each genre over the past year. Updated information about the festival here: www.cesufestivals.lv
On the 25th of July Cēsis celebrates its annual town festival. A lot of different events will take place in Cēsis all day long starting from 11 AM until the last dancer
Since the city is 802 years old, the Medieval castle and its historical importance during the festival will be highlighted.
Besides the rich and diverse cultural program throughout the summer an immense number of attractions, with the widest range of accommodation and recreational activities are offered in Cēsis and the region as well. Detailed information you will find here www.tourism.cesis.lv.
Welcome to Cēsis!
