Best Latvian

Elit Vodka originates from Latvia where it’s crafted primarily using wheat. The production process emphasizes a clean distillation resulting in a smooth spirit often favored by bartenders and discerning drinkers seeking a high-quality vodka for cocktails like martinis. Its Latvian origin provides a...

Latvian filmmaker Gints Zilbalodis single-handedly created the animated feature Away (2019) and directed Flow (2024), a dialogue-free animal odyssey that won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

Mariss Jansons was a highly respected 20th-century conductor known for his interpretations of Romantic orchestral music. His career included leading both the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, achieving international recognition for his meticulous approach and p...

Lāčplēsis is Latvia's bear-eared national hero, celebrated in Andrejs Pumpurs's 1888 epic for defending his homeland against foreign invaders.

Mischa Maisky is a highly respected contemporary cellist known for his intensely lyrical performances. He stands out through an exceptional musical lineage, having studied with celebrated masters Mstislav Rostropovich and Gregor Piatigorsky. His work resonates particularly with audiences who appreci...

Baiba Skride is a Latvian violinist born in 1981 who has performed with major European orchestras and recorded for Sony Classical and other leading labels.

Latvijas Nacionālā opera un balets, or the Latvian National Opera and Ballet, is Latvia's principal institution for professional opera and classical ballet. It performs in a neoclassical theatre in central Riga that opened in 1863 and was originally built as the Riga German Theatre. Its repertory in...

A Latvian tabletop cue sport in which players use a short cue to propel wooden discs into corner pockets; recognized as Latvia's national sport, it is also played in Estonia and among diaspora communities.

The Latvian National Encyclopedia is a Latvian universal encyclopedia launched for Latvia's 2018 centenary and run by the National Library of Latvia.

The Latvian National Opera and Ballet is the national opera house of Latvia, located on the edge of the Old Town in Riga. The institution was officially founded in 1918, shortly after Latvia's independence, though its home venue is a historic neoclassical building constructed in 1863 that underwent...

Stoli Vanil is a vanilla-flavored vodka produced by Stolichnaya, a brand with Russian origins that currently operates out of Latvia. It is infused with natural vanilla bean extracts to create a subtly sweet and creamy flavor profile. The spirit is designed to be distinct from standard, unflavored vo...

The Turaida Rose legend recounts how Maija Greif chose death at Latvia's Gutmanis Cave in 1620 rather than betray her fiancé or submit to an attacker.

Latvian-American animator Signe Baumane writes, directs, and narrates personal hand-drawn features including Rocks in My Pockets (2014) and My Love Affair with Marriage (2022), addressing mental health and gender.

Stoli Citros is a flavored vodka produced by the Russian brand Stolichnaya, featuring natural citrus oils and extracts to impart lemon, lime, and grapefruit notes.

Jelena Ostapenko is a Latvian professional tennis player who won the 2017 French Open women’s singles title, defeating Simona Halep in the final. Unseeded at the tournament, she became Latvia’s first Grand Slam singles champion and the first unseeded woman to win the French Open in the Open Era. Ost...

Stoli Gold is a premium vodka produced by the Stoli Group, historically known as Stolichnaya, which has roots in the Soviet Union but is now primarily produced in Latvia. It is distilled from a blend of wheat and rye grains. The filtration process for this specific variant utilizes quartz sand and f...

Stolichnaya, commonly known as Stoli, is a brand of vodka originally produced in the Soviet Union and currently owned and distributed by the SPI Group. The vodka is distilled from a blend of wheat and rye grain. It undergoes a filtration process using quartz sand and activated charcoal to achieve it...

Piparkūkas are Latvian spiced biscuits closely associated with Christmas and the winter holiday season. Their dough is flavored with a mixture that may include ginger, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, pepper, or other warming spices, then rolled thin and cut into shapes before baking. They may be left pl...

STOLI 100 Proof Premium Vodka is a Russian spirit distilled from wheat and rye, boasting a higher alcohol content (40% ABV) than standard vodkas, resulting in a bolder flavor profile.

Stoli Ohranj is an orange-flavored vodka produced by Stolichnaya, one of the internationally recognized Russian vodka brands. It is created by infusing natural orange flavors into Stoli's wheat and rye grain-based vodka. The resulting spirit has a distinct citrus aroma and flavor with a balance of s...

Stoli Strasberi is a strawberry-flavored vodka produced under the Stolichnaya brand, which originated in Russia but is now manufactured by SPI Group. It is created by infusing the brand's standard grain vodka with natural strawberry flavorings. The resulting spirit offers a semi-sweet flavor profile...

Grey peas (pelēkie zirņi) are a traditional Latvian dish made from dried field peas that are soaked overnight and boiled until soft. They are typically seasoned and served with fried onions, bacon, or bacon fat, and hold particular cultural significance as a Christmas Eve food in Latvia. The dish re...

Riga Circus is a permanent circus venue located in Riga, Latvia. Established in 1888, it is housed in a historic, domed wooden and stone building designed by architect Johann Friedrich Baumann. As the only permanent circus building in the Baltics, it has hosted countless performances from both local...

Founded in 1918, the Latvian National Opera is the primary venue for classical lyric arts in the country, situated in Riga. The institution operates out of a historic 19th-century theater building that has undergone significant reconstructions over the years. It is home to both the Latvian National...

Stoli Peachik is a peach-flavored vodka produced by the SPI Group under the Stolichnaya brand. It is characterized by its semi-sweet flavor profile, pale pink hue, and natural fruit extracts designed to mimic the taste of ripe peaches. This spirit is typically used as an ingredient in mixed drinks a...

Stoli Cranberi is a cranberry-flavored vodka sold under the Stoli brand. It combines vodka with cranberry flavoring to produce a profile that balances tart berry notes with mild sweetness, and it is commonly used in mixed drinks rather than treated as cranberry juice. The product is associated with...

Stoli White Pomegranik is a flavored vodka from the Stoli brand, combining vodka with white pomegranate flavor. It is part of Stoli’s range of fruit-flavored vodkas and is designed primarily for mixed drinks and cocktails where a tart, lightly sweet fruit character is wanted. Despite the brand’s his...

Stoli Gala Applik is a Russian vodka distinguished by its distinctive, intricately patterned glass bottle designed to resemble traditional Russian lacquered miniatures.

Andris Nelsons is a Latvian conductor who has served as Music Director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra since 2014 and the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig since 2018. He previously held positions with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the Latvian National Opera. Nelsons is particularly assoc...