Your weekly guide to concerts, exhibitions and festivals in the Latvian capital! Published every Friday morning - follow on Facebook for regular updates.

This Monday, Latvia celebrates its Independence Day.

On November 18, 1918, in the aftermath of the First World War, several hundred patriots gathered in Riga's National Theatre to declare independence. This joyous occasion will be marked with a flower laying ceremony at the Freedom Monument at 10:30, a military parade on 11.novembra krastmala at 13:00 and a concert (19:00), presidential speech (20:00) and laser show (20:10) at the Freedom Monument - the laser show will be repeated on the hour until 23:00.

There are lots of other celebratory events, and they are marked in the listings below with a flag - 🇱🇻.

Also this week, for the first time in five years, Riga will be illuminated in incredible ways by the Staro Riga Festival of Light. More than 25 luminescent artworks will shine through the late autumn gloom in front of the Freedom Monument, on Strēlnieku laukums square and at numerous points over the river in Pārdaugava. November 15-18, 17:00-23:00, more info.

Here's a glimpse of the last festival in 2019:

 🇱🇻 On Monday November 18, at 16:00 the Emīls Dārziņš Music School Choir and kokle ensemble Cantata perform in Ave Sol Concert Hall (Citadeles iela 7). At 17:00, folklore group Vilkači play folk songs in the War Museum of Latvia (Smilšu iela 20). And at 21:00, the youth ensemble Balsis and pianist Ieva Dzērve play patriotic pieces in the Small Guild (Amatu iela 5). All free entry.

Cantata plucks the heart strings:

Swing with The Swamp Shakers at the Blues House (J.Alunāna 2). Saturday November 16, 21:00, tickets at the door 20 euros.

Blow your mind at the annual Swirl Festival of Immersive Sound. Composers and scientists from around the world will use a battery of 36 speakers to present hour-long immersive experiences, including eight global premieres. At the Festival Centre (Kaļķu iela 24), November 8-16, tickets and more info.

 🇱🇻 Get into traditional crafts, games and music from Latvia's regions, and learn a few words of Latgalian or Liv at the National History Museum (Pils laukums 3). Monday November 18, 11:00-17:00. Also, there's free entry to the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia on Independence Day.

Something's brewing at the Kanciems Quarter Gallery (Kanciema iela 35) where there's a major exhibition of teapots. Utensils made by 38 artists ranging from rural Latvian pots to medal winners at the World Ceramic Teapot Competition in China are on display. Until November 30, free entry.

Get some spice at a new permanent exhibition of art works from India at the Riga Bourse Museum of Foreign Art (Doma laukums 6). The show features treasures from the museum's collection as well as videos with members of today's India-Latvian community for added context. 

Also at the Riga Bourse Museum, “Visions of Spain from Fortuny to Picasso” brings together works from 15 Spanish museums and private collections to explore the southern land's search for a modern identity. Until December 15.

Get blown away by unique works by Juris Bergins, a Latvian artist who blends porcelain traditions with stirring originality at Riga Porcelain Museum (Kalēju iela 9/11). In the street-level store windows, viewable free of charge, until December 8.

Get scribbling at the exhibition Inkwells and Quills at the Riga Art Nouveau Centre (Alberta iela 12). The show displays writing implements from the early 20th century, including ink pots, paper knives, postcards and autographs of Latvian cultural figures. Until December 1.

Explore Old Riga, be amazed by Art Nouveau architecture, or get the lowdown on the city's highlights!

Admire stunning pieces by Latvian master jeweller Gints Strēlis in the exhibition "This Time" at Gallery Apsida (Skārņu iela 10/20, inside Konventa sēta courtyard). Until December 17, free entry. This is also a chance to see Riga's oldest surviving stone walls (dating from 1204) in the gallery's interior.

Discover a remarkable, 66-year-long photographic career in the exhibition "Binde 100-10" at the National Art Museum of Latvia  (Jaņa Rozentāla laukums 1). It honours the 90th birthday of Gunārs Binde, mingling iconic pictures with surreal experiments. Until January 19.

Relive the mood of the turbulent transition to independence at the exhibition The First Five Years, featuring photographs taken by Jānis Deinats from 1989 to 1994 at the Latvian National Museum of Art  (Jaņa Rozentāla laukums 1). Until November 24.

Delve into Latvia's dramatic past on my Soviet Riga tour!

Immerse yourself in the world of American multidisciplinary artist Donna Huanca at the show Utopic Cells at Zuzeum Contemporary Art Centre (Lācplēša iea 101), an intoxicating blend of painting, sculpture, video, sound and... aromas. Until November 24.  

Explore Old Riga, be amazed by Art Nouveau architecture, or get the lowdown on the city's highlights!

Conventional wisdom is challenged in the exhibition "Beauty in the ugly and the ugly in the seemingly beautiful" by the late Swedish photographer Lars Tunbjörk at Dubulti Art Station (inside Dubulti railway station). Until January 26, free entry.

Delight in the vivid hues of Kurzeme landscape master Ansis Artums (1908-1997) at the Jūrmala City Museum (Tirgoņu iela 29). Until December 30.

Get into one of my delightful Jurmala walking tours, savour a daytrip to the resort or a journey to Kurzeme. 

🇱🇻 Discover hidden sides of Riga and help a good cause on the "Riga Freedom Tour." On Saturday November 16, Riga tour guide Philip Birzulis will take you on an hour-long walk of sites connected with Latvia's struggle for freedom, in exchange for your generous donations to help Ukraine-based Latvian nurse Sarmīte Cīrule buy medical supplies. Sites visited include the monument to Freedom fighter Gunārs Astra, the former Lenin statue location and memorials to slain journalists in Bastejkalns. There's a tour in Latvian starting at 10:00 and one in English from 12:00, both starting at the Freedom Monument - the guide will be wearing an orange hat. Please inform that you are coming by whatsapp: +371 26481992, or email: birzulis@inbox.lv 

🇱🇻 Take a jog on a route shaped like the map of the country in the "Run Through Latvia in Sigulda" event. Choose from a 6 km or 8.35 km distance and three speeds. Monday November 18, start at 11;00 from Sigulda Sports Centre (Ata Kronvalda iela 7a).

🇱🇻The theme is maroon-and-white at the Independent Market at Kalnciems Quarter Saturday Market (Kalnciema iela 35). Pick up cranberry syrup, apples and bell peppers, paired with white radishes and cabbages, as well as traditional handicrafts. There's also be a workshop for making puzuri, beautiful straw Christmas ornaments. Saturday November 16, 10:00-16:00.

The seaside comes to Āgenskalns Market (Nometņu iela 64) on Fishermens' Day. Pick up tasty treats from real fisherman, and dine on salted vimba or fish soup conjured up by chef Kaspars Jansons. Sunday November 16, 12:00-17:00.