Best known Latvian pop and rock music bands, student film parade, the witch burning event and chemical experiments – this and more you will be able to experience at the annual Walpurgis Night music and culture festival on 27 April, 2018
Walpurgis Night is the annual music, magic and culture festival of the Latvian Academy of Culture (the LAC), which is the most splendid student event of the year and has been taking place for 12 years already. Starting from 20:00 on 27 April until dawn the next day visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy live music, dance, watch student films, chill in the garden and witness the most magical event of the night - the burning of a witch at a stake at midnight.
Three stages, ten different bands and a night to welcome spring. At the Walpurgis Night, the garden of the LAC becomes the most magical garden in the whole Moscow district of Riga. Visitors will also be able to laugh together with the improvisators from KIKIT, witness various chemical experiments and take part in other activities during the night. The programme of the main stage will feature well-known pop and rock bands such as Rigas Modes, Polifauna, Čipsis un Dullais, the Creek as well as the winners of the Walpurgis Night Warm-up event – Purple Negative.
On the Chill stage visitors will be able to enjoy music by Reinis Young, who is already a veteran performer of the Walpurgis Night, as well as by Matīss Čudars and the band Jānis. The festival will also continue the tradition to introduce the third stage in the cellar of the Latvian Academy of culture called “the Trap”. On this stage visitors will be able to dance to electronic music and listen to bands such as Curlybeats and Trashy Kid. While in the film zone everyone will have the chance to get acquainted with the latest student films of the LAC.
Traditionally, the participants of the Walpurgis Night celebrate the coming of springtime. The celebration dates back to the 8th century, and legend has it, that it was the night when the gathering of witches took place for the Witches’ Sabbath. However, during middle ages, the Walpurgis Night was banned and on this night witches were burned at a stake instead.
Venue: The Latvian Academy of Culture, 24 Ludzas Street, Riga
Entrance Fee: 5 EUR (for the students of the Latvian Academy of Culture, Latvia Culture College, The Art Academy of Latvia and the Jazeps Vitols Latvian Academy of Music)
7 EUR (for everyone else)
8 EUR and 10 EUR (by the entrance, accordingly)
The Walpurgis Night is organized by the Student Council of the Latvian Academy of Culture in cooperation with Red Bull, Valmiermuiza Brewery, KIKIT, Jägermeister, PopHouse, New Riga Theatre, Fobo, FIFI, Muffins and More, Rauna Garden, TechHub Riga, Merķeļa Printing, Caffeine, etc.