To celebrate 100 years of Latvia’s independence, a wide range of events and festivities will be take place in the country and abroad until the year 2021, according to The Latvian Institute, the official government organisation, which promotes Latvia internationally.

The Latvian Institute, together with local and international organisations, will showcase the country to the world through projects such as Embrace Latvia, an oak tree planting ceremony around the border of Latvia, screening of high quality Latvian films and the display of the country’s national costume through the National Costume for Everyone project.

Various events are also in store throughout the four seasons of the country, including snowboarding and ice swimming during winter; birch sap tasting, hiking and bird-watching every spring; mid-summer festivals and soaking up some sun along the Baltic Sea during summer; and mushrooming and berry-picking in the forest every autumn. 2018 will see centenary highlights such the Riga Marathon, Song and Dance Celebrations, The Greenery Ball, and the Festival of Light in Riga. The culmination of the festivities will take place on November 18, 2018, Latvia’s Independence Day.

Leva Stare, project manager of The Latvian Institute’s LV100 – the country’s tourism programme centred on its centenary promotions and activities, explains that the country’s strength in this new age lies within its identity as a modern, innovative country, citing projects and creations that continuously uphold the country’s uniqueness and focuses on being human than being digital. Another factor is its greennovative business model which seeks to emphasise the benefits of a sustainable yet competitive development.  “We look forward to welcoming tourists from all over the world through our calendar of experiences,” said Stare.