Michaelmas Celebration “Thank You, Michael!”

On 27 September from 12: 00 in the courtyard of the Imanta Culture Centre, we invite you to come together and celebrate Michaelmas, the autumn equinox and harvest festival! At the event “Thank You, Michael!” there will be no shortage of songs and music, Latvian traditions, or exciting activities for the whole family. You will be able to take part in creative workshops, try out various games and folk activities, and get to know the ancient Michaelmas traditions in a modern form.

Michaelmas is a festival of harvest and gratitude, a time when the summer’s work is done and nature generously shares its gifts. In the past, Jumis, the symbol of fertility and harvest, was honoured at this time so that the coming year would also be rich, successful, and prosperous. We too invite you to pause for a moment, give thanks for the passing summer, and celebrate the arrival of autumn with family and friends!

During the event, visitors will be able to try their hand at kneading and baking bread, take part in various creative workshops, get to know the blacksmith’s craft, make butter caramels, and create a gratitude tree by leaving their thanks for the past summer in it.

The musical mood will be provided by the folklore group Laiksne, while younger visitors are invited to the musical theatre Zīļuks performance “The Bremen Town Musicians” and various festival-themed games and activities.

Event programme:

12:00–12:15 Opening of the celebration;

12:15–13:00 Musical theatre Zīļuks performance for families with children “The Bremen Town Musicians”;

13:00–13:15 Games and folk activities;

13:15–14:00 Concert by the folklore group Laiksne;

14:00–14:15 Michaelmas rituals and games;

14:15–14:55 Concert by the folklore group Laiksne;

12:00–15:00 Creative workshops and activities: bread-baking masterclass, creative workshop by TLMS Ceplis, workshop by TLMS Zīle together with blacksmith Jānis Pūce, butter caramel workshop, activities for children, creation of a gratitude tree, and a Michaelmas market.

The event is hosted by the ethnographic group Zeidi of the Imanta Culture Centre of the Pārdaugava Cultural Association - Dace Smirnova and Jānis Smirnovs.