The Latvian capital is in danger of being thrown into chaos this weekend as the climax of its 800th anniversary approaches.
Published:
18 August 2001 y., Saturday
Well over a million visitors, including top foreign officials, are expected to turn up for the festivities, which are to take place Aug. 17-19.
Latvia's police threatened last week that they could not to take responsibility for the well-being of visitors unless the City Council puts essential security barriers into place. Officials in the City Council have finally purchased the safety barriers, it was announced on Aug. 13. But they may have broken procedures in doing so. No tender was announced to buy them.
According to Baltic News Service, the City Council reassured critics that 70,000 lats ($110,000) have been spent on the barriers, with an additional 103,000 lats spent to ensure Riga 800 will be a safe and memorable festival.
President Vaira Vike-Freiberga said she would attend some of the events. After she met with Gundars Bojars, Riga's mayor, on Aug. 14, she reassured the press that there was little reason to worry about security. She pointed out that the City Council has taken adequate precautions to avoid any serious incidents.
Rudite Kalpina, a spokeswoman for the Riga 800 agency responsible for the celebration program, confirmed that there would be around 1 million visitors in Riga this weekend.
Šaltinis:
baltictimes.com
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
Bulgaria's annual Festival of Humour took place today, poking fun at the global recession.
more »
The Belgian city of Ghent is going green by urging its residents to eat more greens. Ethical Vegetarian Alternative campaigners want them to go veggie every Thursday They say that if the whole city did that for a year it could save the equivalent carbon emissions of 20,000 cars.
more »
Baking is something David Muniz and David Lesniak know a thing or two about.
Originally from the States, the pair moved to Britain two years ago and have been supplying London with their American-style cakes ever since.
more »
A collection of 16th and 17th century torture devices is up for auction in New York. Judging by some of the items for sale, we've come a long way.
more »
Despite vigorous efforts, men and women do not always get the same start or benefit from the same opportunities.
more »
Across Europe the amount of time new mums can have off after the birth of their child varies from 14 weeks to 2 years.
more »
As the world No.1 carmaker announced billions in losses, an increasing number of auto industry workers near its Toyota City are hungry and sleeping in tents after losing their jobs and homes.
more »
With a media turnout worthy of a superpower summit in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York City - Donald Trump - the Miss USA pageant owner - decided the fate of Miss California USA Carrie Prejean.
more »
A conversation is taking place across Europe as people use choice boxes to record their questions and comments on what the European Union should be doing ahead of the European elections from 4-7 June.
more »
MTV teams up with EU on campaign to encourage young people to vote.
more »