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Reconstructed Riga Circus to open for performances this year
Riga is wrapping up reconstruction of the Riga Circus art centre constructed in the 1880s. Mayor of Riga Mārtiņš Staķis launched the project roughly a year and a half ago, with repairs to be completed next month.
However, the Ministry of Culture warned that it will take roughly EUR 500,000 to fully complete the reconstruction project as the art centre still needs furniture, stands, lighting, curtains and more, which should be installed next year. Nonetheless, the first events are planned for later this year.
Riga Circus creative director Mārtiņš Ķibers reminded that Latvia banned circus animals years ago and pointed out that acrobats and other artists will perform in the arena. “It’s not pure entertainment, it’s a kind of art,” he noted. Modern circus shows are “similar to contemporary dance or a theatrical show, it is a non-verbal form of art where there is no need for languages,” he expanded.
Cost of the reconstruction project was originally estimated at EUR 3 million, but the bill reached nearly 8.5 million due to unforeseen issues. The EU is co-financing the project. Uldis Lukševics, head of NRJA architects in charge of the project, reminded that the building was constructed illegally in the 19th century and added that it revealed many surprises.
Valdis Koks, head of AIDACO Construction, added that construction materials were the most surprising thing. “It’s built from what was available at the time and lying around,” he stressed and noted that wooden boards are at least 130 years old.
