Fashion & Textile 2013 Riga – Day 3

Overall it was a great event to take part in. It enabled us to make key contacts in the Baltic’s and will hopefully lead to future business activities benefiting both UK and international designers. We are now in discussions about Riga Fashion Week, Latvian Fashion Festival, Turkmenistan and potentially Russia – all exciting opportunities!

Following the exhibition we were shown around the capital of Latvia, Riga. Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 658,640 inhabitants, it is the largest city of the Baltic states and home to more than one third of Latvia’s population.

Riga is a little gem in the Baltics. It is situated at the mouth of the Daugava, on the shores of the Gulf of Riga on the Baltic, and has an ancient history and rich cultural heritage with structures from 1201 to present day reflected. The architecture is diverse and its collection of art nouveau buildings are simply stunning.

Freedom Monument is one of Latvia’s national symbols. It was erected during the first independence and surprisingly never taken down by the Soviets (although laying flowers at its feet was forbidden). The statue of a woman holding three stars at the top of the monument represents Freedom embracing Latvia’s regions. The Dome Cathedral, another impressive site is the largest medieval Cathedral in Baltic countries. This spectacular building has a 90-meter high tower.

Riga is diverse and exciting town and certainly worth a visit!