The idea behind the Forum is to open up the city to contemporary art activities overnight, offering a wide and varied cultural programme. The tradition of the "White Night" (Nuit Blanche) began in Paris in 2002. Later, Brussels, Madrid, Riga and Rome joined Paris to form the Nuits Blanches Europe network. "The White Nights tradition continues in cities not only in Europe, but also in Canada, the USA, Japan and elsewhere. In Riga, the project has been running since 2006 under the title "White Night", a forum for contemporary culture. This year, the Forum will take place for the 18th time.
"The aim of the White Night is to motivate the public to discover the diversity of contemporary culture and to arouse wider interest in cultural events, expressions and changes. "White Night takes place in the city centre and in other neighbourhoods, revealing a city open to people of different ages, nationalities and social backgrounds, as well as to visitors to the city. "White Night events traditionally take place not only in places familiar to culture and the arts, but also in unusual surroundings, contributing to expanding the boundaries of the perception of culture.
The White Night 2023 invites reflection on the theme "Hidden Truths"
Is black just black?
When does black stop being black?
Maybe the night has always been white, but we haven't noticed because everything is determined by the side from which the light is reflected?
Every great truth is made up of many small truths, every idea of inspiration or influence. Behind each work of art are ideas and themes that can be works in their own right.
In this year's works and projects, the Contemporary Culture Forum "White Night" invites you to search for hidden truths - mysteries, subtexts, contradictions - to critically examine socially and globally topical issues.
We invite you to look at ideas and works deconstructively - to dismantle, put back together, combine, change what counts, highlight themes that are both current and silent.
This setting may be a striving for the impossible, but that's life and art! We encourage you to ask questions, to search for answers, with the expectation that there may be many or none at all.
"The White Night 2023 events will take place from 9 September at 12.00 to 10 September at 2.00 in different neighbourhoods - Riga city centre, Old Town, Pardaugava, Plavnieki, Teika, Bras, Vecmilgravis and Sarkandaugava.
All White Night events are free of charge.
PROGRAMME
