First time in Riga, Latvia

This video offers a retrospective of my first time to Riga, Latvia. Filmed in the winter of 2020, it captures a world on the cusp of immense change as the early waves of the Covid pandemic were reaching Europe. At that time, the full impact of ensuing travel restrictions, cancelled excursions, exhibitions, quarantines, and the onset of vaccination programs were unimaginable. Thus, this footage not only chronicles my first ever trip to Riga and the journey but also serves as a nostalgic reminder of an era in travel blogging unencumbered by masks and global health concerns.

My first exploration of Riga coincided with the winter holidays, a period marked surprisingly by mild temperatures and a conspicuous absence of snow – except for the chilly gusts at the summit of St. Peter’s Church. It was here, braving the cold winds which numbed my fingers, that I captured the breathtaking panoramas of Riga you will see in this video.

A particularly striking photograph, taken from this vantage point, was put for display at an art exhibition in Helsinki, Finland, in the spring of 2020. However, the sweeping closures due to the pandemic led to the unfortunate cancellation of this and lots of other cultural events. My photograph eventually did make its debut at an art exhibition in Helsinki in November 2020, after the long unexpected delay.

For those interested in acquiring the photograph featured in the Helsinki exhibition, I welcome inquiries via email. Additionally, I am pleased to offer customized videos upon request. Join me in this visual journey through Riga, and discover the enchanting scenes I encountered in this historic city.