Historical building complex, today – creative district in Riga – enjoy history, art, culture, entertainment and food!

The creative industry’s quarter at the Maskavas Street Spīķeri warehouse complex promises to evolve into one of the hottest neighbourhoods on the Riga art and culture scene. The grand project is still in its initial phase; however, the red 19th-century brick buildings and warehouses already house a number of contemporary art, music, film and theatre institutions of established quality and prestige – the KIM? Contemporary Art Centre, one of the cornerstones of future development of the Spīķeri quarter, among them.

The Spīķeri territory, owned by Uldis and Jānis Dinne, has been included into the UNESCO World Heritage list; as of 2008, it is home to the unique Museum of Doll Art as well as Dirty Deal Cafe, a hub of contemporary art and one of the most talked-about addresses of the alternative Riga that continues to surprise with impressive music and film events, avant-garde theatre performances, festivals and concerts.

The list of residents and tenants is scheduled to be increased this year with the Visual Communications Department of the Latvian Academy of Art, the RIXC Centre for New Media Culture, the Skaņu Mežs (Forest of Sounds) annual festival of experimental music as well as the conceptually revamped META-KAFE (the first bookstore-restaurant of this kind in the city) and, last but not least, the Sinfonietta Rīga chamber orchestra which, after three years’ worth of effort and battling with the whims and fancies of the time-worn Wagner Concert Hall, has finally found its way to the old warehouses – in other words, to a new rehearsal space and chamber concert hall that seats 140. Another building on the outskirts of the quarter, literally – empty tumbledown walls overgrown with forest, is still expecting its turn; the place is destined to become a branch of the upcoming Latvian Museum of Contemporary Art that’s still waiting for the construction of its own “Castle of Light” – to wit, the museum building – to commence in Andrejsala. At the other end of the territory, another warehouse conversion, already completed yet currently still empty, is scheduled to become a “hatchery” for the creative industry – i.e., home to a string of institutions and businesses representing contemporary culture.

Creative activities in the Spīķeri warehouse complex span several distinct areas, brought together under a common main theme every two months.
kim?/VKN, kim?/RIXC and kim?/FK gallery spaces are filled weekly with exhibitions organized by RIXC and the students of the Visual Communications Department. Once every two weeks, screenings of contemporary theatre, dance and circus performance recordings are organized in collaboration with the New Theatre Institute and Arte TV network, for those who are unable to attend such events in person. The National Film Centre, the Film Museum and the NOASS Culture and Arts Project provide a regular art video and short film programme. Exhibitions and performances are managed by the New Theatre Institute, with the additional involvement of Skaņu Mežs: the festival offers a selection of its strongest finds. And last but not least, there is music – a realm that is frequently explored in various concerts and lectures.

One thing is clear: by using the amazing synergy of various fields of contemporary culture, the Spīķeri will soon become the new epicentre of the Riga creative space, drawing the nearby urban environment – including the embankment of the Daugava, which is already connected to Zaķusala and Andrejsala via the ferry service provided by Darling, a charming Art Nouveau boat – into the exciting maelstrom of its development. The reconstruction of the Spīķeri complex is planned to be completed in 2012 and will also include a space for the best College of Gastronomic Arts in the Baltic region, as well as a farmers’ eco-market. Incidentally, there is already a busy night market between the red brick buildings of the Spīķeri warehouses.

Entrance to all exhibitions and lectures is free. And please follow their websites fort he latest updates on the music and art events.

Contacts

Telephone: +371 67205486
Website (Spikeri): www.spikeri.lv
Website (KIM): www.kim.lv

Riga Guide - Experiences, Tours & Things to Do

4.9

Daan de Natris

10:02 12 Aug 19

We went shooting with a group of 25 people, was a cool experience! Shooting was great, and done too soon. We got picked up at the hostel and they brought us back. Great service and a great guide!read more

Naut Duin

10:02 12 Aug 19

We had a good time. We went shooting and the organisation was really good! We had a lovely guide and she was enthusiastic.read more

Didrik Gilde

14:48 05 Aug 19

You get picked up by a nice guy at the hotel Professional instructor. Everything is great

Mariya Kavardzhikova

08:04 24 Jul 19

My boyfriend and I went shooting and choose the riffle package including an AK-47, we also bought extra bullets for the AK-47. It was so much fun! 👌 It is with organized transportation and the people were very nice and friendly. I was a little nervous but the instructor was very calming and helpful, and I we had a really great time! 😀 We definitely recommend this experience! 👍read more

Alexander Specking

11:43 18 Jul 19

A surreal experience for anyone who has never held/shot a gun in his/her life. It was scary but weirdly exciting. Sure to get the adrenaline pumping! Picked up and dropped back off at the hotel. The shooting range is set inside in closed off rooms. Very nice people, and very flexible - if you want to shoot a different weapon, you can browse the catalog there and pay extra on sight.read more

Leon Fleddermann

11:37 18 Jul 19

I had tons of fun, for anyone looking for a real thrill especially if you are an experienced shooter, you must try the AK-47 Full Auto.read more

Levi Winther

18:48 14 Jul 19

We had a very good day with Tank Driving and river rafting:) And the staff was just brilliant and gave us a very good service and a good experience.read more

Justina Wellstam

08:35 13 Jul 19

Very well organized and friendly staff. Was fun and lived up to expectations.

Alina M.

14:57 09 Jul 19

Really nice service:) Advice! Tank ride was so exciting!!!!!! Thanks a lot for such real emotions!

Somers Brewin

15:33 11 Jun 19

The Riga Guide team were fantastic in helping me organise a Stag Do for 27 people. They are very responsive and helpful over email and quick to suggest alternatives if something doesn't work out (for example due to bad weather or traffic). They made what could have been a very stressful trip loads of fun and I'm very grateful - I'd definitely recommend using them for group trips. Steph and Irina were particularly helpful! Thank you!read more

James Keatinge

11:43 12 May 19

Curling in Riga! This was the highlight of the trip and something you simply have to do when spending time in Riga!!!! Everything was extremely easy to organise and the team were very helpful and welcoming. The coaching and facilities were also excellent. Highly recommend!read more

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