More The annual jazz festival in Saulkrasti takes place July 19 to 20 at the Saulkrasti Open Air Stage.  artists VII Baltic Drummer League (Latvia/Lithuania/Estonia) Login-Wibe quarter and Linda Kanter (Latvia/Estonia) and Fred Wesley & the New JBs (USA) will take the stage On Saturday at noon there will be a free concert by participants of masterclasses Young Lions Jazz Orchestra (USA/Lithuania) Sofial Rubina – I am Soul (Estonia) and Ola Onabule & Latvian Radio Big Band (UK/Latvia) will perform More on the festival's website. The 2nd International Festival of Traditional Outdoor Singing "IN NATURE" will gather folk and traditional music bands and artists in Sāviena Castle Hill and Ļaudona Culture Center Lectures and workshops on traditional outdoor singing will be held by Latvian and Portuguese ethnomusicologists and folklorists there will be a symposium and a singalong to open the festival More information on the event's official website. If you really don't want to sleep in on a Saturday on July 20 at 5 in the morning be at the Pabaži Lake (Atpūtas Street 1B Zvejniekciems) for an acoustic show by The Sound Poets.  you will be able to have breakfast at the nearby restaurant More information on how to rent a boat is available on the Facebook event's discussion. Select text and press Ctrl+Enter to send a suggested correction to the editor Select text and press Report a mistake to send a suggested correction to the editor locals must tread the terrain for hundreds of meters – along or on the rails Mārtiņš Graudums, who has lived in Saulkrasti since the 1970s pointed out that locals are risking their lives in winter because of inappropriate infrastructure: I'm practically left to walk only on the tracks It [snow] is up to your knees, [walking] down the tracks at some point you have to jump off then I can tell that two people have died there at the pedestrian crossing The pedestrian crossing is right at the start of the Saulkrasti There are cars coming at high speeds and there's a turn from the hill." Photo: Dzintra BušaPhoto: Viktors Demidovs / Latvijas RadioPhoto: Viktors Demidovs / Latvijas RadioPhoto: Viktors Demidovs / Latvijas RadioPhoto: Viktors Demidovs / Latvijas RadioPhoto: Viktors Demidovs / Latvijas Radio If some 5-6 years ago it was still mown and someone made sure people got there then at the moment the monitoring work [of the passenger flow] is completely redundant because it is as difficult as it gets to come to the station at all I definitely don't come to the station with the kids because I don't want to teach them that you walk on the tracks Along a highway where cars drive at 70-80 kilometers an hour along the side of the road isn't too smart either The new trains aren't really good for this station right now either Monitoring something and counting people stumbling and risking their lives is stupid Pensioner Guna Lūre said she has lived in Inčupe during the summers for more than 50 years: "For years [the government] has been saying that on the one hand you say "public transport" on the other it is far from being public." Residents also ask for the stop to be moved half a kilometer closer to the station in Pabaži Benefits – more convenience for Saulkrasti and Veselība village residents The stop's relocation was supported by more than 770 residents last year on the site Manabalss.lv Although in autumn the Ministry of Transport told Latvian Radio that a better location for the station would be sought in parallel with the monitoring it has now become clear that the survey will only start in the next few days Latvian Railways says that the Inčupe station could possibly be modernized said that about 40 stations would be surveyed: "Such a survey is being carried out at all stations that are included in the list of potential stops to be modernized already for the next planning period but this number can change and depends on the decisions of the Public Transport Council as well as on the funding already available at the moment this funding has not yet been allocated If this stop is included in this European Union funding period then the project would already be underway by the end of 2029." remains to be taken by the Public Transport Council if it is decided to upgrade or relocate the Inčupe station A meeting of the Public Transport Council will decide on the fates of the Inčupe The RSU Sports Club is organising a hike on 12 October Come along and bring your family and friends The hiking route is the Sunset Trail (Saulrieta taka) in Saulkrasti The length of the trail is four kilometres but participants can choose to extend the route and continue walking along the coast and the town of Saulkrasti Participants are invited to meet at the Pabaži railway station at 12.15 (those arriving by car are asked to meet at the White Dune (Baltā kāpa) car park at 12.30) Participants are welcome to bring a snack for the mini-picnic and a hot drink please send an email to daina[pnkts]lazdeniecersu[pnkts]lv Please indicate the number of participants and the meeting point (the station or the car park) © 2025 Rīga Stradiņš University, 16 Dzirciema Street, Rīga, LV-1007, Latvia Take note – story published 1 year and 2 months ago a group in Saulkrasti kidnapped a Belarusian citizen for financial gain and then murdered her Two other suspects were detained in Ukraine at the end of January this year thanks to successful cooperation with the Ukrainian Police Law enforcement promulgated the woman in search and launched large-scale investigative actions and determined that a criminal offence had been committed against the missing person Officers determined that a group of individuals had previously planned to commit a crime against the woman namely two Russian citizens living in Latvia also involved three Ukrainian citizens in the crime Information was obtained during the investigation that the woman was kidnapped for financial gain – to obtain a complex of apartment buildings belonging to her One of the criminals pretended to be a potential apartment buyer and arranged a meeting with the owner The woman was held in captivity after the kidnapping but the criminals' plan to acquire the properties she owned failed Two suspected Ukrainian citizens were detained by Ukraine's National Police on January 29 and 30 all the suspects in the present case have been detained Pasažieru vilciens JSC (PV) will deploy new electric trains in three directions: Tukums Trips to Jelgava are planned to commence on Saturday PV reports that it is planned to perform eight trips using new trains in the direction of Tukums: two on Riga-Dubulti route and two back to Riga as well as two trips on Riga-Sloka route and two back in Aizkraukle’s direction it is planned to use new trains on a single Riga-Ogre trip and one trip back as well as one trip on Riga-Lielvarde route In Skulte’s direction it is planned to fill one trip on Riga-Saulkrasti direction and one back Also today a special opening event will be held near platform two at Riga Central Railway Station at 10:20 in the morning This event will be attended by Minister of Transport Kaspars Briškens Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis After the festive event the first trip of the new electric train will passengers on board will depart from Riga for Dubulti at 10:59 a.m On the Tukums line new trains are planned to fill the following train runs: Riga (at 10:59)-Dubulti (at 11:33) Riga (at 18:24)-Dubulti (at 18:59) and Dubulti (at 19:18)-Riga (at 19:53) In Aizkraukle’s direction new trains are planned to be deployed on the following train runs: Riga (at 14:18)-Ogre (at 15:01) In Skulte’s direction it is planned to use new trains on these runs: Riga (at 18:43)-Saulkrasti (at 19.43) and Saulkrasti (at 20:29)-Riga (21:29) PV notes that once all new trains have been received and have been successfully deployed in Riga PV will be able to introduce interval schedules on all electric train routes Trains are planned to course every 15 to 20 minutes in the morning and evening on weekdays PV also notes that all 32 electric trains are planned to be received by mid-2024 The first two Czech Škoda Vagonka manufactured electric trains were delivered to Riga in June 2022 Each train has 436 seats and enough room for 454 standing passengers All trains have same-level boarding from adapted train platforms Pasažieru vilciens representatives previously said the company will request Škoda Vagonka to pay a fine for their failure to deliver trains on time The maximum fine for failure to deliver each train within the agreed upon time is 10% of the train’s price The total costs of the project reach EUR 257.889 million In nine months of 2023 Pasažieru vilciens’ turnover was EUR 44.256 million The company’s profits went down 21% to EUR 458 074 Also read: Latvian Ministry of Transport suggests extending sea port reform term until mid-2024 Follow us on Facebook and X Icicles are seen on the fence at Saulkrasti beach in Latvia Ice volumes in the Gulf of Riga of Baltic Sea has reached peak of this winter according to information from the Latvian Environment Geology and Meteorology Centre.Photo:Xinhua 2021 shows Baltic Sea covered with ice near Saulkrasti beach in Latvia Take note – story published 1 year and 10 months ago a strawberry festival takes place in the town of Mālpils to honor the ultimate summer berry The events center around the city center and the Culture center (Nākotnes Street 5 Local residents and businesses take part with products and masterclasses on how to bake strawberry cakes Vsiitors will also be able to test different varieties of the berry visit strawberry fields in nearby Sidgunda as well as listen to a musical program all day long Town and city celebrations are also in full spring the beachside community of Saulkrasti celebrates its own beach volleyball and 3x3 basketball tournaments will take place the festivities will begin with a parade from Saulkrasti Sports Center (Smilšu Street 1) to Saulkrasti Mežaparks If the folk music sung at the Song Festival is not your jam at all, perhaps rap and hip-hop is. The second hip-hop festival STRAUME will take place in Līgatne, cultural venue Zeit, with the participation of local artists like ansis, Gustavo, Ozols, Edavārdi, and others. More on the STRAUME fest Facebook page. On 25 March 2021 Latvian State Police Riga Region Criminal Police together with State Police counter-terrorism unit Omega detained five men in Riga and Saulkrasti The men are accused engaging in illegal narcotics trade police confiscated about 28 kg of marijuana Four of the detainees were put under arrest on 27 March Prior to this operation State Police received information about multiple persons potentially involved in illegal narcotics trade State Police together with Omega unit detained some Estonian citizen on 25 March – approximately 6 kg of marijuana was found stashed in his car police detained four other people in Riga and Saulkrasti Police also performed eight searches as part of the criminal process About 22 kg of marijuana was found in the process Police found that all detained persons were engaged in distribution of narcotic substances The Estonian citizen had arrived in Latvia to procure narcotics to sell then later in Estonia and Scandinavia Four of the detained men were put under arrest on 27 March Some of them have a previous criminal record involving drug trafficking Police commenced a criminal process in accordance with Part 3 of Section 253.1 of the Criminal Law State Police actively battle drug trafficking in Latvia State Police Riga Region Branch commenced a total of 231 criminal procedures in regard to circulation of narcotics by 28 March 2021 (47 in January between 1 January and 28 March police confiscated approximately 54 kg of narcotics (MDMA tablets 142 persons have been detained in Riga region for distribution of narcotic substances Take note – story published 1 year and 8 months ago marking the night of the ancient fire is already a tradition the fires are lit immediately before sunset Our ancestors built fires on the seaside to give a message to their neighbors and sailors The tradition was relaunched in the early 90s the night of the Ancient Fire is mingling with the folklore festival “Pa Saulei.” To bring all visitors back to the fire and good thoughts,” said Antra Deniškāne, music teacher and author of the folklore festival “Pa Saulei.” fires on the coast can be seen up to five kilometers away “I came to find some strength at this event I came to the fire as if it were a symbol of strength maybe find motivation for the long run until the end of the year,” said the event visitor Annija “I'll say that fire is a symbol of transformations As we often say – burn out in the workplace to create something you can be like a fire and maybe heat a lot more people around you at other timese,” said Arnis The night continued with music and dancing Take note – story published 5 years and 3 months ago Many are questioning why the new one is being changed when the old visual identity is only a few years old, and right before major territorial reforms that will redraw many municipal boundaries are implemented Some also asked why residents weren't given a say According to Mayor Normunds Līcis (Unity) the new logo created by designer Krists Dārziņš and made up of eight straight lines represents the movement of the sun throughout all four seasons “These amounts are really sensible and minimal The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development (VARAM) which is in charge of overseeing municipalities admits many city councils have been making dubious purchases before losing power or being amalgamated but that it's only possible to control the larger transactions VARAM Ministerial Advisor Madars Lasmanis said that the ministry is currently very limited in its capacity to react to financial issues but refuses to name and shame other municipalities that might have been exhibiting questionable spending patterns “Up to 50 000, if I'm being honest, it's essentially down to the honesty of council members, and secondly, the State Audit Office could also report these things of course residents can also file reports,” said Lasmanis A few council members objected to the process for hurriedly adopting the changed logo Although there were said to be several council employees working on the visual identity other sources said that the working group was simply a formality and now Saulkrasti has a large inventory of souvenirs with the old logo Besides the logo there are other signals that all is not well in the Saulkrasti municipality and there are claims of nepotism as well as a fear of speaking out claims one anonymous city council employee in an email Photo: Saulkrastu novada domePhoto: Saulkrastu novada domePhoto: Saulkrastu novada dome As previously reported 2019 the Law On Administrative Territories and Populated Areas was passed in the first reading by members of Saiema 39 municipalities will be created in place of the current 119 local municipalities by the next local elections Also reported amid tractor protests in smaller regions and threats of turning to the Constitutional Court from larger cities the New Conservative Party (JKP) announced that on Monday 2019 the coalition conceptually agreed on joining Rūjiena and Naukšēni with Valmiera in accordance with the JKP proposal regarding regional administrative reforms went to Ikšķile to visit some of the loudest protesters He has already held 40 regional discussions on the reforms The ministry has received and responded to more than 200 written letters from local municipalities and organizations while phone centers have handled about 1000 resident questions and suggestions a moment of silence was held at 9 AM. Local authorities and organizations were also invited to raise the Ukrainian flag and observe a moment of silence and to light 1,000 candles in honor of the victims One of the commemorative events took place at 12 at the Museum of Occupation President Edgars Rinkēvičs and Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (New Unity) came to lay candles at the museum to honor and commemorate those who died defending Ukraine in the full-scale war launched by Russia a symbolic number "1000" will be laid out from lit candles and lamps at Congress House Square in Rīga The event will be attended by the Ambassador of Ukraine to Latvia Anatoly Kucevol Latvian volunteer organizations and representatives of the Ukrainian diaspora The Embassy of Ukraine in Latvia invites people to donate on the charity portal "Ziedot.lv" until December 5 to raise funds for 1000 laptops so that Ukrainian children can continue their education during the war generators and other necessities to Ukrainian soldiers and rescuers Various commemorative events are also held in Latvian municipalities. For example, Saulkrasti municipality will host on Tuesday an event "1000 days since the beginning of the war", where Ukrainian singer Anastasia Vasilenko will perform in Saules Square and hear the experiences of Ukrainian soldiers a bonfire will be lit on the seashore in symbolic support of those who fought in Ukraine where Saulkrasti folklore group "Dvīga" will sing songs of strength Those who come will be treated to warm soup People are invited to come with candles to place at the foot of the Ukrainian flag in Saules Square In Liepāja, a charity campaign is being organized until January It offers people the chance to buy various souvenirs and children's toys made by Ukrainian women as well as souvenirs with Ukrainian and Latvian symbols the windows of some parish offices and cultural centers will be lit up blue and yellow on Tuesday Residents are also invited to light and place candles by the Ukrainian flags hoisted. Several municipalities are also planning events in support of Ukrainians such as a joint Ukrainian flag-making event a talk evening with Ukrainians living in the municipality people are invited to show their support and send strength to Ukrainian soldiers by placing a candle in the Vienības Square throughout the day They are also invited to donate a candle or bring candle remnants which will later be turned into trench candles to be sent to Ukraine Additional trips in the direction of Jūrmala and Saulkrasti will be scheduled since many wish to go to the beach The route of the evening train Rīga–Krustpils is extended to Daugavpils station and the time of its departure from Riga station will be at 21:01 An additional nighttime trip has also been posted from June 12 on the Daugavpils–Rīga route Train will leave Daugavpils station at 3.25 and arrive in Rīga at 7.00 the train Līvāni–Rīga has been canceled on Sunday afternoons during the summer season additional trains will run and from Rīga on Sundays The changes also affect the departure of trains and the time spent on the Jelgava railway These are related to the infrastructure modernization works According to DAP specialist Maija Rēna the agency received information from a Saulkrasti resident during the first week of April that they noticed a full-grown seal attempting to “wake up” a baby seal Unfortunately the story doesn't have a happy ending and the mother pulled the baby into the sea but from a scientific perspective it's an unusual and interesting occurrence “Before now there is no documented evidence of a seal being born in Latvia – young seals born on the Estonian coast have reached us but they've already begun an independent life and in the majority of cases have prematurely lost their mothers,” said senior DAP expert Valdis Pilāts The eyewitness filmed and photographed the event and an expert agreed that the seal was most likely dead but unfortunately more information can't be gathered “We're repeatedly urging residents – when going for a walk on the beach keep your four-legged friends tied to a leash The best help for the seals you see on the beach is ignoring them so we urge you to leave them alone and keep away,” said Rēna As previously reported many seals are found on the coast of Latvia A total of ten baby seals found their new home at the Riga Zoo in 2015 - nine grey seals and a single ringed seal and veterinarians weren't able to save four of them Specialists from Riga Zoo have been working with baby seals in distress (or who were picked up by people who should have been left alone) The 'alumni' of the Zoo have been sent to Zoos around the world More than ten have been released back into the sea after being marked Baby seals who have been fed to reach 30-40 kilograms can live in the sea for weeks without eating and during this time they can learn to fish The only worry specialists have about them is that they don't get caught in fishermen's nets and don't walk into the 'tourist trap' of relying on vacationers for their livelihood.