12,000 candles, torchlight processions, and festive fireworks: Jūrmala prepares for a grand celebration

The festive program will cover different areas of the city — from Kemeri to Kauguri and Dubulti. The culmination of the celebrations will be on November 18, when the streets of Jūrmala will be illuminated by thousands of lights, and the evening will conclude with a concert and fireworks. ## November 11: Torchlight processions and remembrance of heroes On Lāčplēsis Day, dedicated to the memory of the fighters for Latvia's independence, memorial events will take place in Jūrmala. At 14:00, a small exhibition dedicated to the Knight of the Military Order of Lāčplēsis, Augusts Muižulis, will open at the Jūrmala Museum on Tirgoni Street, 29. At 14:15, researcher Liga Strazda will talk about the fate of the officer who participated in the defense of Riga from Bermont's troops in 1919. At 16:00, a memorial service will be held at the Sloka Evangelical Lutheran Church with the participation of singer Silvija Silava. One of the central events of the day will be the traditional torchlight procession in Kaugurciems. Participants will gather at 17:00 in the parking lot at Raiņa Street, 39A, and at 17:30 will head to the monument to Captain Paulis Zolts and the soldiers of the student company. At 18:00, a ceremony in memory of fallen warriors will take place near the monument, accompanied by a musical program. Another torchlight procession will begin at 17:00 at the Kemeri Primary School. Its route will pass through the Kemeri Resort Park to the sculpture "Kemeri Anninja." Residents are invited to join with their torches. A memorial service will also be held at 18:00 at the Dubulti Evangelical Lutheran Church. ## November 18: A river of lights will stretch across the city The main decoration of Jūrmala on Independence Day will be the traditional Path of Light — one of the most impressive festive events in the resort city. More than 12,000 candles will form a glowing line approximately 20 kilometers long — from the bridge over the Lielupe to Kemeri. The tradition began in Jūrmala in 2002 and has since become an integral part of the November celebrations. Everyone is welcome to join in creating the Path of Light. From 15:30, residents and guests of the city will be able to place and light candles along the route. The pedestrian street Jomas will receive special decorations. Here, lights will create traditional Latvian symbols — the Sun, Auseklis, and the Tree of Austra. ## Concerts, thousands of lights, and the outline of Latvia made of candles The festive events on November 18 will begin in the afternoon. At 16:00, singer Katrīna Dimanta and musician Rolands Zelčs will perform near the Aspazija House in Dubulti. From 16:00 to 20:00, another traditional event will take place at the Sloka city stadium, where participants will create a huge outline of Latvia from burning candles. At 17:00, a festive service will be held at the Dubulti Evangelical Lutheran Church. The central evening celebration will unfold near the Kauguri House of Culture on Raiņa Street, 110. At 20:00, a large concert featuring the united choir of Jūrmala under the direction of chief conductor Inara Freimane will begin here. Well-known Latvian performers Aija Vitoliņa and Ivo Grīsniņš-Grīslis will also take the stage. At 21:30, the festive program will conclude with fireworks. ## Festive events will begin even before November 11 The celebrations will not be limited to the two state holidays. On November 9 at 17:00, a meeting with journalist and the first chairman of the Popular Front of Latvia, Dainis Ivans, will take place at the Jūrmala Central Library. On November 13 at 17:00, a concert "In the Rhythm of Freedom and Winds" will be held at the Dubulti Concert Hall. The program will feature choirs, orchestras, and soloists from the Jūrmala Music Secondary School. From November 17 to 20, the central library will organize an interactive event "My Most Latvian Word." Visitors will be invited to share Latvian words that hold special meaning for them. Additionally, throughout November, schoolchildren in Jūrmala will receive badges featuring the national flag of Latvia. The organizers invite residents and guests of the city to join the festive events, honor the memory of the fighters for independence, and celebrate the birthday of the Latvian state together.