The ‘Singing Revolution' is the term often used for the spontaneous outbreak of singing for national independence from the Soviet Union which took place in Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia from 1987 to 1991, leading to the restoration of their independence. On August 23, 1989 around two million people had joined their hands to form a human chainspanning over 600 kilometres across these three Baltic States. All three countries are now members of the European Union and have vibrant democratic systems and a relaxed way of life. Singing will be in the air all next year when Riga becomes European Capital of Culture. Not only will the city offer a varied programme of artistic and cultural events, but it will also host the World Choir Games from July 9–19 and welcome 15,000 choristers to this biennial festival of music. With less than one million inhabitants, Latvia's capital, Riga, is the largest city of the Baltic States and is home to more than one third of Latvia's population. An important seaport and a major industrial, commercial, cultural and financial centre for the region, Riga lies at the mouth of the Daugava River. Founded in 1201 as a base for the Northern Crusades, the city has a maze of cobbled medieval streets and is famed for its Art Nouveau buildings and 19th century wooden architecture. The historical centre of Riga is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since independence, Riga has become a popular tourist destination, not only because of its rich history, but also because it is said to have one of the most vibrant nightlife scenes in the whole of Europe. The programme of special events for 2014, to be known as Force Majeure, will showcase the city to the world, beginning in January 2014 with a performance by the Latvian National Opera of Wagner's, Rienzi, written during the time when Wagner was in Riga from 1837 to 1839. Throughout the year there will be concerts, plays, carnivals and exhibitions. Many hope that 2014 will also be the year when the building hosting Latvia's National Library is finally completed and opened to the public. Designed by Latvian architect, Gunnars Birkerts, this extraordinary building has come to be known as the Castle of Light, alluding to an allegorical poem about a sunken ancient castle, hiding spiritual treasures of great significance to Latvians, waiting for the right moment to rise to the surface. Linking Latvia with Egypt, Latvia's charming former president, Vaira Vike-Freiberga, was recently in Egypt for a Board meeting of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, of which she is one of the Trustees. Egypt's own iconic Library rose again this century from its origins dating back to Greek times. It was this formidable woman, who served as her country's President for two terms, who negotiated her country's entry to both NATO and the European Union. Anyone travelling to Riga in 2014 for this year of special events will find that there is so much for visitors to see that they could easily find themselves planning another visit – or perhaps they will need to make an advance visit, just to plan what they want to do!. The Old Town with its mediaeval buildings is the real gem. Much of this Old Town was left in ruins after the bombing of the Second World War, but recent restoration projects with an eye on their tourist potential have returned the Old Town to its former glory. As a member of the Mediaeval Hanseatic League, Riga remains full of mediaeval guild buildings and historic churches. The cathedral, dating back to 1207, is one of the city's symbols. The best way to see the Old Town is by foot, maybe on one of the frequent walking tours offered by the Information Office inside the magnificent House of the Blackheads in Town Square. The city has many museums and not to be missed are the two museums inside Riga Castle. The area around the Freedom Monument is also on the agenda of any tourist. The Freedom Monument was built at the time of Latvia's first independence in 1918 and was surprisingly left untouched during the Soviet era. At its top a woman holds three stars, representing Freedom embracing Latvia's three regions. A delightful link with Egypt during this year of exhibitions will be the exhibition, ‘Tutankahmun's Amber', which will take place in the Riga Bourse Art Museum late in the year and will highlight the museum's own collection of Egyptian art. It is hoped that three small items from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo will travel to Riga to be part of this exhibition. Baltic Amber is considered to be the purest in the world and it onceserved the Balts as a currency. The old Baltic amber trade route linked the Baltic Sea with the Mediterranean and the Black Seas. The new Amber Road, as a symbol of cultural exchange, has been nominated as one of the themes of the European Capital of Culture programme and there will be several exhibitions in Riga's museums and galleries. Muslims read in the Qur'an in Surat Ash-Shu'araa: “Do they not look at the earth – how many noble things of all kinds We have produced therein: verily, in this is a sign..." 26:7-8 Travelling to see the splendours of this world can teach us so much about other traditions and other cultures. It can also be fun! Riga has plenty to sing about. Inshallah, 2014 will allow its beautiful voice to be heard all over the world. British Muslim writer, Idris Tawfiq, teaches at Al-Azhar University and is the author of nine books about Islam. You can visit his website at www.idristawfiq.com, join him on Facebook at Idris Tawfiq Page and listen to his Radio Show, “A Life in Question," on Sundays at 11pm on Radio Cairo 95.4 FM.
