If you were in Riga over the last few days, you already know the vibe. The streets were dead. Like, tumbleweed-rolling-down-Brīvības-ielas dead. Everyone and their mother packed up their cars, grabbed their šašliks, and dipped to the countryside for Līgo and Jāņi. It’s the ultimate Latvian exodus.
But while the riverside celebrations were lit and the bonfires were burning, the aftermath is a mixed bag. The Midsummer holidays brought the usual tragic statistics—nine reported drownings on the water compared to three on the roads. It’s a sobering reminder that while we go hard for the solstice, water safety and avoiding drunk driving need to stay top of mind.
On the flip side, the suits in the Kulbergs cabinet are getting tired of the post-holiday sluggishness. The government is seriously discussing scrapping the long-standing tradition of “transferring working days” to bridge holidays with weekends. Why? Because it throws local businesses out of sync with the rest of Europe. While we are taking a massive four-day weekend, the rest of the EU is doing business as usual, and it’s costing money.
Beyond the politics and the traffic jams heading to Jūrmala, the core of the holiday remains untouched. Whether you were weaving oak wreaths, jumping over fires to cleanse your soul, or just surviving on a strict diet of cheese and beer, the tradition is deeply baked into our DNA. Next year’s Līgo might hit a little different if you gotta clock in on a Friday between the bonfire and the weekend. For now, grab a mineral water, shake off that Jāņu siers food coma, and welcome back to the city. The grind resumes.
