AGP Executive Report

Emergency Preparedness: Latvian experts urge households to prepare to manage on their own for 72 hours, including setting aside essential medicines, first-aid supplies and important documents. Health: Standard flu vaccines remain unavailable in Latvia for children and adults, though deliveries are expected in the coming weeks; health officials say it is not too late to get vaccinated. Culture & Heritage: Liepāja is putting Karosta, its once-secret former military port, at the heart of its 2027 European Capital of Culture programme, bringing the area’s history and architecture into a new creative spotlight. Local History: Riga Stradiņš University students are searching churches and cemeteries for naturally preserved human remains, hoping modern research can reveal how people in Latvia lived and what illnesses they faced centuries ago.

Culture on the Coast: Liepāja’s Karosta district is set to take centre stage in the city’s 2027 European Capital of Culture programme, bringing its military history and striking architecture into a new creative spotlight. Latvia’s Hidden History: Riga Stradiņš University students are searching for naturally preserved human remains in Latvian churches and cemeteries, hoping modern research can reveal how people lived and what illnesses they faced centuries ago. Live Music: Concert attendance in Latvia fell 23.5% in the first nine months of 2026 compared with a year earlier; organisers point to ticket prices many people can no longer afford. Riga Central Market: The council has approved more than €22 million in borrowing for renovations ahead of the market’s centenary in 2030, with traders already being moved as work gets underway. Health: Standard flu vaccines remain unavailable in Latvia for adults and children, though health officials expect deliveries in the coming weeks and say it is not too late to get vaccinated.

Live Music: Concert attendance in Latvia fell 23.5% in the first nine months of 2026, compared with a year earlier. Even excluding last year’s School Youth Song and Dance Festival, visits were down 17%; AKKA/LAA says ticket costs are putting events out of reach for many people. Rīga Central Market: The city has approved a loan of more than €22 million for renovations due to finish by the market’s centenary in 2030. Structural damage has already forced the Meat Pavilion to close, disrupting traders’ plans. What’s On: Rīga Stradiņš University hosts Innovation Day on November 5, with talks, demonstrations and a workshop on AI in sport. Baltic Arts: Latvian Academy of Art artists are showing 30 works in Baku, exploring nature, memory and human experience. Meanwhile, Tallinn’s Black Nights Film Festival opens November 6, with its 30th edition spotlighting Baltic cinema, including films from Latvia.

Innovation & Education: Rīga Stradiņš University hosts Innovation Day on November 5, with talks, a startup showcase and a workshop on AI in sport. Rīga Central Market: A €22 million loan will fund pavilion and grounds renovations, with work planned through the market’s centenary in 2030; traders are already facing moves as repairs begin. Live Music: Concert attendance in Latvia fell 23.5% in the first nine months of 2026 year-on-year—or 17% excluding last year’s School Youth Song and Dance Festival—as rising costs put tickets out of reach for many. Latvian Art Abroad: Artists from the Art Academy of Latvia are showing 30 works on nature, memory and human experience at an exhibition in Baku. Baltic Cinema: Tallinn’s Black Nights Film Festival marks its 30th year with a new artistic director and a strong Baltic focus, including films from Latvia.

Latvian Art Abroad: “In the Light of One Horizon,” an exhibition featuring 30 works by artists from the Art Academy of Latvia, has opened in Baku, showcasing painting, graphic art, textiles and mixed media. Baltic Cinema: Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival marks its 30th edition with a strong Baltic focus, including Latvian cinema, among 230 feature films screening from Nov. 6 to 22. Music on Tour: The Latvian Radio Choir is touring Australia from Nov. 4 to 16, with recorder player Genevieve Lacey and a world premiere by Australian composers Hollis Taylor and Jon Rose. Culture Under Pressure: Valka’s financial crisis has suspended cross-border projects with Estonia’s Valga and left the Latvian municipality with less money for sports, culture and community events.

Latvian Art Abroad: An exhibition of 30 works by artists from the Art Academy of Latvia has opened in Baku, bringing together painting, graphic art, textiles and mixed media. The show explores nature, space, memory and human experience as part of the city’s Art Weekend. Community Life: Insolvent Valka has suspended cooperation programs with Estonia’s Valga, leaving less municipal funding for culture, sports and community events. Music: The Latvian Radio Choir is set to tour Australia from November 4 to 16 with recorder player Genevieve Lacey, performing a new work by Australian composers.

Children & Learning: Latvian-developed MyWisy, an AI learning tool for children aged 3–7, is expanding into Bahrain after research with Rīga Stradiņš University and Riga Technical University. Culture Abroad: The Latvian Radio Choir heads to Australia from 4 November for a tour featuring a world premiere created with Australian composers. Arts & Recognition: Latvia’s 2026 state honours include British historian Vincent Hunt, recognised for his writing on the country’s wartime history; winners of RIGA IFF 2026 have also been announced. Culture & Entry Rules: Latvia has indefinitely barred Russian journalist Ksenia Sobchak and theatre director Konstantin Bogomolov from entering the country. Latvian Artist Abroad: Sculptor Egons Perševics praised Azerbaijani artists after taking part in Baku Art Weekend.

Diplomacy: Latvia assumed the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council for the first time, putting Ukraine, international law and the risks of new technology on its November agenda. Culture & Politics: Foreign Minister Baiba Braže indefinitely barred Russian journalist Ksenia Sobchak and theatre and film director Konstantin Bogomolov from entering Latvia. Latvian Music Abroad: The Latvian Radio Choir tours Australia from November 4 to 16, performing a new work created with Australian composers Hollis Taylor and Jon Rose. Arts: ArtVilnius’26 brought 70 galleries, including Latvian exhibitors, to the Lithuanian capital in October. British historian Vincent Hunt, known for his writing on Latvia during the Second World War, is among this year’s state award recipients.

Entry Ban: Latvia has indefinitely barred Russian journalist Ksenia Sobchak and her husband, theatre and film director Konstantin Bogomolov, from entering the country. Art and Exchange: Latvian sculptor Egons Perševics praised Azerbaijan’s professional art scene after taking part in Baku Art Weekend, saying he enjoyed working with local artists. State Honours: British historian Vincent Hunt, whose work explores Latvia during the Second World War, is among this year’s recipients of the Cross of Recognition. Regional Arts: ArtVilnius brought together 70 galleries from across Europe, including Latvia, for its contemporary art fair in October.

Entry Ban: Latvia’s Foreign Minister Baiba Braže has indefinitely barred Russian journalist Ksenia Sobchak and her husband, theatre and film director Konstantin Bogomolov, from entering the country. Latvian Art Abroad: Sculptor Egons Perševics praised Azerbaijani artists during Baku Art Weekend, saying the festival helps bring the country’s culture to international audiences. Film: Winners of RIGA IFF 2026 have been announced. State Honours: British historian Vincent Hunt, whose work explores Latvia during the Second World War, will receive the Cross of Recognition at the November 18 awards ceremony. Heritage: Life is returning to historic Bebrene Manor, according to a new report. Youth and Gambling: A study suggests gambling advertising remains a problem in Latvia.

Arts & Film: Latvian galleries joined 70 exhibitors at this year’s ArtVilnius contemporary art fair, while winners of the 2026 Riga International Film Festival were also announced. Latvian Honours: British historian Vincent Hunt, known for his writing on Latvia during the Second World War, will receive the Cross of Recognition on November 18. Youth & Wellbeing: A Finance Ministry study found that 59% of Latvians aged 15–34 had recently noticed gambling ads; officials are considering tighter oversight, especially to protect young people. A Sigulda coach has also been dismissed over alleged sexual harassment of a minor. On the Calendar: Latvia is among 36 countries set for Eurovision 2027, and the MICHELIN recognition for Latvian restaurants will be revealed on November 5. Heritage: Historic Bebrene Manor is seeing new life as visitors return to the landmark.

Youth and wellbeing: A Finance Ministry study found gambling ads remain highly visible in Latvia: 59% of people aged 15–34 had recently seen them. It calls for clearer restrictions and stronger oversight, especially online. Safer sport: Latvia has introduced fines for running sports sessions without the required qualifications, after an investigation highlighted gaps in checks and the risks for people who trust gyms to hire properly trained coaches. Culture and food: Winners of the 2026 Riga International Film Festival have been announced, while Latvia’s MICHELIN restaurant selections are due on November 5. Travel: Riga ranks among Tripadvisor’s 10 trending European winter destinations, and a new forecast projects Latvia’s international accommodation growth will outpace the European average over the next decade. Eurovision: Latvia is among 36 countries set to compete in Burgas in 2027; Canada will make its debut and North Macedonia will return.

Youth and Gambling: A Latvian Finance Ministry study found 59% of people aged 15–34 had recently noticed gambling ads, and called for tighter oversight to protect young people. Fitness Safety: Latvia has introduced fines for running sports sessions without the required qualifications, following concerns that clients may trust unqualified trainers. Riga in Winter: Riga ranks tenth among Europe’s trending winter destinations in Tripadvisor’s latest travel index, with visitors drawn to its Old Town, cafés and Art Nouveau architecture. Eurovision: Latvia’s broadcaster LSM is among 36 confirmed participants for the 2027 contest in Bulgaria, where Canada will make its debut. Roma Voices: Latvia is represented at the World Romani Congress in Sofia, where participants called for equal access to education and healthcare and a stronger voice in decisions affecting their community.

Roma Voices: Latvia is among about 25 countries represented at the World Romani Congress in Sofia, where participants called for equal access to education and healthcare and a stronger voice for Roma communities. Baltic Culture: Tallinn’s Black Nights Stars showcase has selected 10 emerging actors from the Baltic and Nordic region for workshops and industry meetings in November. Latvia is also among 36 countries confirmed for Eurovision 2027. Riga Getaway: A recent visitor praised the capital’s Art Nouveau streets, Old Town and cafés; a new forecast also puts Latvia among Europe’s faster-growing tourism destinations, with accommodation demand projected to rise 83% by 2036. Youth Wellbeing: Rīga Children’s Hospital says autumn admissions of teenagers after alcohol or other substance use doubled year on year; the youngest patient was 12. Local Heritage: Restored cellars and tunnels at Bebrene Manor have reopened as cultural and educational spaces. Food Scene: Latvia’s MICHELIN restaurant selections are due to be announced on November 5.

Eurovision: Latvia’s LSM is among 36 broadcasters confirmed for Eurovision 2027 in Bulgaria, with the contest set for May 11–15. Live Music: Rammstein frontman Till Lindemann’s 2027 solo tour will open in Riga on October 2 before travelling across Europe. Travel: Latvia is forecast to see international accommodation demand grow 83% by 2036, outpacing the European average. Heritage: Bebrene Manor’s restored cellars, tunnel and terrace are now cultural and educational spaces for locals and visitors. Food: Latvian restaurants will learn which ones receive MICHELIN recognition on November 5. Film: Winners of RIGA IFF 2026 have been announced. Youth Health: Rīga Children’s Hospital says twice as many teenagers were admitted after using alcohol or other intoxicating substances during this autumn’s school break compared with last year.

Citizenship Controversy: Latvia’s decision to grant and then revoke citizenship for Indian scientist Divya Kannan Vishwanath has widened into scrutiny of the “golden visa” scheme, after a company advertised residency permits tied to an allegedly fictitious care-home investment. Teen Health: Rīga Children’s Hospital admitted 15 young people after alcohol or drug use during autumn break—twice last year’s figure; the youngest was 12. Culture & Heritage: Bebrene Manor’s restored cellars and tunnels have reopened as spaces for community events and learning. Social Climate: A Latvian survey suggests divisions between Latvian and Russian speakers are perceived as wider than they are in reality. Food & Culture: Latvia’s MICHELIN restaurant selections will be announced on 5 November.