On May 16, from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM, residents and guests of Riga are
invited to attend the 17th Riga Oyster Festival. As one of the largest events of its kind in
Europe, the festival will feature 15 professional oyster shuckers who are expected to open
approximately 13,000 oysters.
The Riga Oyster Festival is a premier gastronomic event in the Baltics, gathering international level
oyster professionals. A key highlight of the festival is the Latvian Oyster Shucking Championship.
The winner will earn the prestigious opportunity to represent Latvia at the Galway International
Oyster & Seafood Festival in Ireland. Notably, the 2024 Latvian champion, Renārs Purmalis,
secured first place in Galway by shucking 30 oysters in just two minutes and five seconds, earning
the title of the world’s best oyster shucker.
"The scale of the Riga Oyster Festival continues to surprise representatives from major oysterproducing
nations; they are often amazed at how we manage to organize such an event here. My
victory in Galway has sparked significant interest in the Riga festival within professional circles. As
a result, this year we are welcoming some of the finest experts and shuckers from various European
countries," says Purmalis, who also serves as one of the festival's organizers.
Festival attendees will not only witness world-class shucking competitions but can also test their
own skills in amateur matches. Traditional fan favorite "strength competitions" will return, where
contestants compete to see who can hold heavy bags of oyster shells the longest. Couples can also
participate in a relay where one partner shucks and the other eats. For younger guests, a creative
workshop will offer oyster shell painting, face painting, and other entertainment.
Visitors will have the chance to taste and compare 12 different varieties of oysters from France and
Ireland. A wide selection of grilled dishes will also be available.
The event’s atmosphere will be enhanced by musical sets from DJ GarJānis. All restaurant and cafe
terraces within Bergs Bazaar will be open to guests, with additional standing tables provided
throughout the venue.
Admission to the event is free. Further information regarding the venue, oyster varieties, food
menus, and activities is available at https://www.rigaoysterfest.lv/home/
