News

As Christmas approaches, the streets, parks, and Duke Jekāba Square in Jelgava shine with festive string lights, various light decorations, and beautifully adorned Christmas trees. The Jelgava Regional Tourism Center (JRTC) traditionally offers the walking route “The Dance of Lights in Jelgava” in December, inviting citizens and visitors to explore the city’s Christmas decorations and immerse themselves in the holiday spirit.

On the first Sunday of Advent, at Duke Jēkaba Square, with the presence of Jelgava citizens, the city’s main Christmas tree was lit up, bringing joy until mid-January. Along with the tree, a new large-scale decoration was illuminated – the silhouette of Jelgava Castle, more than 20 meters wide and 4 meters high, as well as six lit-up arches and festive ornaments along Lielā Street.

At the Ģederts Eliass Jelgava History and Art Museum, a retrospective exhibition of Imants Lancmanis’ works titled “Imants Lancmanis’ Painting” has been opened. “62 years have passed since I declared: I need a realistic, brush-painted alternate world—a precise depiction of this world and my imagined one on canvas. Today, this remains my signature style, though the themes have changed over the years—it’s about what is important for me to express and show,” the artist Imants Lancmanis describes his exhibition. The exhibition will be on display at the museum from November 16 to January 5.

An informational material “Jelgava in Numbers 2023” has been prepared and published on the municipality’s website. It has undergone a visual update, aligning with the design of the Jelgava municipality’s public report from last year. The material includes key figures and facts about the city’s population, employment, economy, transportation, education, social services, healthcare, culture, tourism, sports, as well as attracted investments and the Jelgava municipality’s budget resources and expenditures.

By pinning a red-white-red ribbon, raising the national flag at home, attaching it to your car, and participating in festive events, the citizens of Jelgava are invited to mark the 106th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Latvia on November 18. The city will host an ecumenical service, and citizens are encouraged to lay flowers and candles at the monument of Latvia’s first President, Jānis Čakste, and to attend celebratory concerts. A highlight of the city celebrations will be a 3D multimedia story, “A Gift for Latvia’s Birthday,” projected onto the Jelgava Holy Trinity Church Tower. Before the show, a virtual exhibition of drawings created by Jelgava students as a gift for Latvia’s birthday will be displayed on the tower. Let’s join in and fill our city with a festive and uplifting spirit!

In November, when we celebrate Lāčplēsis Day and Latvia’s Proclamation Day, Jelgava has been decorated for the national holidays. Decorations have been set up in various areas of the city.

Rundāle Palace informs that from November 4th to November 26th, the exhibition “The Courland Dukes’ Tombs” at Jelgava Castle, under its management, will be closed. However, from November 27th, the tombs will be open to visitors five days a week.

Proud of our country’s freedom fighters and celebrating Lačpleša Day, on November 11th at 18:00, we will gather for a torchlight procession. The procession will begin on Dambja Street and conclude at the Lačplešs Monument, where at around 18:45, there will be a solemn moment followed by a concert in a patriotic atmosphere, featuring the mixed choir “Balti” as well as musicians LUKS and Ģirts Alsters.

Saiva Kuple, a restorer at the Ģederts Eliass Jelgava History and Art Museum and the director of the Zemgale Restoration Centre, has received the Hungarian state award “Silver Cross of Merit.” She was honored for the restoration of V. Smakauskas’ painting.

From February 7 to 9, 2025, Jelgava will traditionally become a kingdom of ice sculptures – the city will host the 26th International Ice Sculpture Festival. Preparations for the event have already begun, and sculptors can apply until November 19.

In mid-October, from 14th to 20th October, Jelgava and its surroundings will host a gourmet festival – “BaudĒŠANA in Jelgava”. During this event, local residents and guests are invited to visit dining establishments in Jelgava and Jelgava County to enjoy special gourmet meals made from autumn’s harvest.

To strengthen cooperation in the field of culture, the folk dance ensemble “Lielupe,” consisting of 22 people, has departed for Jelgava’s sister city, Carmel (USA), this week. The dancers will represent Jelgava at the International Arts Festival in Carmel.