The annual ''Staro Rīga'' (Riga Shines) illumination festival will celebrate its tenth birthday on November 18 as Latvia celebrates its own 99th birthday. 

The Latvian Lielais Kristaps film ceremony took place on October 12, this year, and the main prizes went to the Renārs Vimba feature film “Mellow Mud” and Vitaly Mansky’s “Under the Sun.” Three films competed for the Best Feature Film Award – Laila Pakalniņa’s “Dawn,” “Mellow Mud,” and Dāvis Sīmanis’ “Exiled,” with “Mellow Mud” winning the prize (its title in Latvian is “Es esmu šeit,” or “I Am Here”).

The Summer Olympics are being held in Rio de Janeiro from August 5-21. Latvia is represented by 34 athletes who are competing in 13 different disciplines. The first week was successful for female athletes from Latvia who demonstrated good results, but did not win any medals.

Latvia’s gastronomy may have been influenced by Germans, Swedes, Poles and Russians, but if we look at national celebrations, then we see one very unique aspect of the past that is still with us – Latvians like to be in contact with nature and to produce and prepare food with their own hands.

On Monday, June 27, the Legatum Institute’s Transitions Forum in London will host a screening of the documentary "The Master Plan", followed by a discussion and reception.

On April 5, 2016, Latvian writer’s work reading was held at the U.S. Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. Andrew Singer, Pennsylvania State University, Director of literary journal and radio Trafika Europe and a poet moderated the discussion.

On 1 March, 2016 the Grand Music Award of Latvia was presented to a number of recipients in different categories, among them to pianist and music professor Ventis Zilberts for lifetime investment in music.

Last Saturday Riga was at the forefront of Europe's start-up scene as it hosted the largest technology start-up event in the Baltics “Silicon Valle

In order to discuss matters that concern the Eastern Partnership Summit, Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma had a meeting with former presidents of Latvia and heads of state and government from other European countries.

The Saeima Presidium decided that Presidential elections will take place on Wednesday, June 3 at 10 a.m.