Wednesday

the Latvian independence day in Lisbon - Check.

S. spotted before the start of the concert.
Being not in Latvia for the National Independence day aka the birthday of Latvia this year was the second time for me. If last year I celebrated it in Ljubljana, then this time it was Lisbon. Completely different, still amazing.
If thinking of the celebrations, then last friday, i already saw some photos of the reception of the Latvian embassy in China...the actual and the true "birthday day" or to be more precise the Proclamation day came this last sunday. Yes, 18th of November is the date. As since couple of years, then if the date goes into weekend, we latvians are getting one extra holiday, the following working day, so the 19th of November was an extra holiday, also here for our embassy, and as i`m very lucky, then also for me. Well, it will be this friday, as i spent this monday at the office after all  The day to celebrate the cause and the birthday here in Lisbon happen to be on 20th of November. And today is the perfect day to tell you of how it went.
So it all started with a concert by very well known Latvian counter tenor  Sergejs Jēgers and pianist Ieva Šmite-Misiņa, who came especially for this concert, for us Latvians in Portugal. Have to admit, that it was my first time hearing him in live at his concert. And have to say, it was amazing. Thank you.
Other than that, the event took place in Palacio Foz, one of the beauty piece of neo-classical architecture. If you come for Lisbon, try to give a visit, its defiantly worth it.
The after concert reception gave me the chance not finally to meet some other latvians living in Lisbon area.  And aside the students or youth, it was a fun encounter get to meet a latvian senior / hard to tell the age, but in the best years/ who`s living in Portugal, actually near my part of it, in the beauty piece, Sinta, for around twenty years, and had been driven here due to the family many of the years ago.
I am happy to be from a "small" country, because we have the access of all we want way more easier than if coming from a big state. So, it gave me the great opportunity to also greet Sergejs Jegers after the concert, to chat a bit...which was fun.
Last but not least, i have to say, that Riga`s Black Balsam with Blackcurrant has the power...thank you for having it yesterday, especially the nice hot version of it...it has finally killed my autumn virus...a way much better feeling today.
Happy Birthday Latvia,
S.

No comments: