Let's Celebrate the Best of the Year
January and February are usually the time when we look back at the various achievements of the past year in music, theatre, and the arts. During this time, multiple awards are also presented in Latvia to recognize the accomplishments of Latvians both in the country and worldwide. And let’s be honest—these awards help bring outstanding Latvian achievements into the spotlight, ensuring they don’t go unnoticed. That’s why today I’ll tell you about some of the excellence awards given in Latvia so that you can easily navigate which theater performance to attend, which music album is a must-listen, and which movie is a must-watch.
One of the most significant awards in Latvia’s cultural scene is "Lielais Kristaps" – the national film award that highlights the best films, directors, actors, and other cinema professionals. If you want to find out which films have received critical and audience acclaim, follow this award—its winners are definitely worth seeing on the big screen. If you want to know which films have been nominated, check out this year’s official website: https://www.lielaiskristaps.lv/
For music lovers, an important event is "Zelta Mikrofons" – the annual Latvian music award that honors the best albums, songs, and performers across various genres. If you want to discover which artists have created the most remarkable works, this is a great guide to refreshing your playlist with new, high-quality music. Find out the year’s best musical pieces here: https://www.zeltamikrofons.lv/
Meanwhile, in the theater world, the most outstanding achievements are honored at the "Spēlmaņu nakts" awards, which highlight the year’s best theater performances, actors, and directors. If you’re looking for an exceptional theater production that will provide an unforgettable cultural experience, the list of award winners is certainly a great reference. Learn more here: https://www.ltds.lv
Another significant cultural award is "Kilograms Kultūras", organized annually by Latvian Television and Latvian Radio. The purpose of this award is to highlight the year’s most important and outstanding achievements in literature, visual arts, music, and performing arts. Any culture enthusiast can vote for the nominees, promoting public engagement and interest in cultural events. Find out more here: https://www.lsm.lv/kgkulturas/sakums/
This year, as you may have already read, people in Latvia are not only following local award ceremonies but also celebrating the success of the film "Flow", which won a Golden Globe (by the way, you can currently see the award at the Latvian National Museum of Art). Meanwhile, anticipation is high for the Academy Awards (Oscars), where Gints Zilbalodis' artistic masterpiece has received two nominations. We keep our fingers crossed!
Vita, OLS Community manager - Latvian