Cēsis 819

At the height of summer, on July 18th and 19th, we invite everyone to Cēsis to be part of a vibrant, creative, and inspiring celebration – “Cēsis 819”. As the cultural capital of Latvia, Cēsis will shine like a star, inviting its residents and guests to do the same with the theme – “Be a Star!”.

On Friday, July 18th, we will kick off the festivities with several spectacular events. In the city center, a traditional festive parade will take place, featuring representatives from Cēsis municipality's institutions and companies, families, as well as other communities and groups. The parade will symbolically open the festivities, culminating in a ceremonial event and concerts in Castle Park. We invite everyone to participate in the parade, considering a visually creative theme that matches the festival's motif, and to use environmentally friendly materials.

In the continuation of the evening, the tradition started last year in Castle Park will continue – a sing-along with the festival choir. This year, we will sing together with soloists: Rihards Saulis, Marta Ritova, and Gunita Bārda. The choir conductor is Marika Slotina-Brante, and the musical director is Emīls Zilberts. The sing-along concert on July 18th will begin at 10:30 PM.

The main day of the festival, July 19th, will be filled with events and activities for all ages and tastes. In the morning, the city center will be bustling with a crafts and homemade goods market, while parks will host activities, concerts, and creative workshops. In the evening's climax at Castle Park – a grand concert and a green ball, allowing the festive spirit to continue long after sunset.

The full festival program and information on how to register for the markets are planned to be announced in June!

We invite you to shine and celebrate together – Cēsis 819 – Be a Star!