Riga springtime impressions 2012

[Vecais Sakarnis]

I'm continuing almost my tradition and post some early spring impressions from Riga here. I think the early momentum of spring when the nature is light green, is one of the most beautiful times of seasons.

Blue flowers carpet at Jēkaba cemetery





Relic of winter



This man who looks very similar to Russell Harris who was presenter of Discovery Travel & Living amazing programme "Diceman", may create an impression that we have some +30 degrees already. Well, it isn't quite true - the temperatures are around +15, at mazimum +20 now in Riga. But for him it's not the problem to drive around like this even in much much colder temperatures, as this picture suggests: https://twitter.com/#!/naivists/stat...784193/photo/1



As the weather gets warmer and nature - greener, Riga parks fulfills with people...



...soon it will be like this (photo of June 2010):



Ladies, ladies...







And accordeon player:



Spring moon:

[Jape]

Good ones. This drastic contrast between winter and summer is so very N&B thing - I can share your childish enthusiasm! Damn, you scarcely recognize it's the same city you're living in! As for me this season doesn't inspire to take photos, but just... feel I'm alive ...and see that people around are too.

[Vecais Sakarnis]

Thanks, Jape,

yes I also know that feeling - the sun, green leafs and warm air is so welcoming, you feel much more free and relaxed when walk around. And it's a pleasure to just open a window in appartment too and take a look around green and blossoming area, in this case Riga is very good planned city, even in the densest commieblock areas there is much greenery between the blocks.

[Vecais Sakarnis]

May - it's called a "month of blossoms" in Latvia and it has really taken it's turn now. However for some people blossoming creates an allergic reactions, thus they can't enjoy this time of year so much.

'

View from my window...

[Vecais Sakarnis]

Museum Night evening Riga turned into bustling metropolis - everywhere in centre full of people. One of the most popular apparently was Paul Stradins History of Medicine Museum which got such a huge row (but similar rows were also at Art Museum Riga Bourse, Art Nouveau Museum, Parliament building, House of Blackheads, Porcelain Museum, Aldaris beer factory and elsewhere.



Here you see Exhibition hall Arsenāls where photo exhibition of Egons Spuris was available.



I took 2 small videos to illustrate an atmosphere in Riga centre at Museum night.





I wonder, is Museum Night turns into such a big event in your city too?

[geoff189d]

Are there any plans for developing that unsightly gap visible at the end of Alberta Street? I notice it was there 100 years ago according to old postcards. Thanks.

[makaveli6]

Vecais, can you send me your frst museum night picture? I have a feeling that i might be in it.

[Vecais Sakarnis]

Another picture from museum night - row at Art Nouveau museum in Alberta street



Spring night



People relaxing in Grīziņkalna park





Last night there were powerful thunderstorm over Riga. Managed to catch few usable shots out of some 500:

[Tin_Can]

Great stuff! And those lightning shots...

In addition to thunderstorms, is this hot weather causing creation on Riga summertime impressions-thread?

I wonder, is Museum Night turns into such a big event in your city too?

Yeah,it's getting increasingly popular in other parts of N&B too. I don't know stats per city,but 70000 people visited museums all over Estonia during this year's Museum Night.

[Vecais Sakarnis]

Originally Posted by Tin_Can

In addition to thunderstorms, is this hot weather causing creation on Riga summertime impressions-thread?

Probably that could be really more appropriate title now. Usually I post these types of pics in my Riga Photo Colada thread in Urban Showcase section.

[vilniusguide]

Nice photos, as usually, Vecais!

Originally Posted by Vecais Sakarnis

I wonder, is Museum Night turns into such a big event in your city too?

Originally Posted by Tin_Can

Yeah,it's getting increasingly popular in other parts of N&B too. I don't know stats per city,but 70000 people visited museums all over Estonia during this year's Museum Night.

Yes. Latvians were first to start Muzeju Naktis, but later Vilnius also cathed up, and after Vilnius - other cities in Lithuania. This year Muziejų Naktis the other day was followed by Muzikos diena (The Day of Music) probably even more popular event.
Here is a video of Museum Night in Riga suburb Šiaulia
http://www.etaplius.lt/Kultura/Tukst...apildyta-01-47
Unbelievable.

[Vecais Sakarnis]

To grow old together - what can be more beautiful?



Mostly in Riga lilacs are blooming in May (there are very many of them, almost at every house in sleeping suburbs)...



...but here I found something more unusual, a beautiful blossoming tree which I couldn't identify (well, I'm not an expert in bothanics actually). Maybe you know what it is?

[Into]

Originally Posted by Vecais Sakarnis

...but here I found something more unusual, a beautiful blossoming tree which I couldn't identify (well, I'm not an expert in bothanics actually). Maybe you know what it is?

Izskatas pec Vilkabeles.
Following the forum language rules, after looking at the leaf and the branches/spines I am sure that is a Hawthorn (Crataegus sp.)

[Nomels]

Originally Posted by Into

Izskatas pec Vilkabeles.
Following the forum language rules, after looking at the leaf and the branches/spines I am sure that is a Hawthorn (Crataegus sp.)

It is indeed.