It is spring here in Riga. The rows of flowers in the central parks have come into bloom; the buildings, once oppressed by the grey winter, are once more colourful in evening ...
In 1697, Peter the Great, Tsar of the emerging Russian Empire, set off on his ‘Great Embassy’, a trip to Western Europe which, Peter hoped, would further expose him to Western ...
Like many others, Dostoevsky condemned me to the study of Russian. I am inclined to believe it is impossible to understand his genius without understanding his faith; none of ...
Jēkabpils is a small ‘city’ (a town, by most standards), situated on the Daugava River about halfway between Riga and Daugavpils. Two hours and 5 euros by bus from Riga, it is ...
My third visit in less than a year. Riga, I concede; this has become something of a romance. How did you do it? Was it those long summer nights, riding bolt ...
My internship with Liden and Denz has come to an end; in fact, I am already back down under (Australia). It is hot here; yesterday it was forty degrees, and a thunderstorm ...
A few weeks ago I invited you to witness the Christmas Liturgy in the Orthodox Cathedral here in Riga. Today, I would like to introduce you to Janis Pommers (1876-1934), ...
In a recent post we looked at the beautiful and beautifully honest personal diary of Leo Tolstoy. Today, we are looking at the diary of another giant of Russian literature; ...
When I arrived to my share flat in Riga last summer (which was organised by Liden & Denz), I met with a bloke from the Czech Republic. It was five in the evening. We ...
Today we are at Riga's best Olympic-sized swimming pool, "RTU Kipsalis." The pool is located over the river, 17 minutes from Liden & Denz by bus, and it features ...
Tolstoy’s diaries are a valuable source for anyone seeking to better understand the sweeping humanity which distinguishes his novels; that irresistible sense that one is ...
Друзья, today we are in LIDO, the place I call second home in this country because it is, and especially in winter, a place of calm refuge, warmth, familiarity and yes, of ...
