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Ambassador of Italy to Latvia, Sebastiano Fulci

By RigaNOW!. 23.08.2016

LIVES: When I arrived here, I have been living in the historic Jacobs Barraks in Old Torna Iela since Octo-ber. But I decided to move my Residence to an elegant building in the Art Deco area of Riga, where I will probably live after February.  Until then I will be staying in one of the wonderful hotels of the city, and there are quite a few (such as Bergs, Radisson Blu, Grand Palace, Gallery Park, and in a lower category Neiburgs, Roma, Astor and Mercure). 

FAVORITE RESTAURANTS

My favorite restaurants are Laivas (its chef Heinrihs Erhards makes fantastic dishes), 3 Pavari (because of its original and futuristic cuisine), Biblioteka n.1, Le Dome and of course Vincents (really excellent but quite expensive). There are also italian ones that according to me have a good quality/price combination (like Da Sergio, Olive Oil, iI Sole or Portofino). But of course there are other very good restaurants that would deserve their stars in a Michelin Guide especially because 

of their excellent cooks. Overall I really believe that one of the main assets of Latvia is its cuisine, and I am sure that it would earn important international prices and recognitions when promoted abroad. 

PUB OR BAR

Night life can also be enjoyable thanks to pubs and cafe’s that you can find, such as Rock Cafe Ri-ga, Shot Cafe, Tims Mints. You can also listen to good music and dance at BBārs and Ala Folkclub. The latter is interesting for the variety of small life concerts it offers, all performed by traditional singers. Other attractive music venues can be, on some occasions, the concert hall “Spīķeri”, as well as the Small and Big Guild of Riga. Finally the Splendid Kino often proposes interesting movies (including Italian ones) and is an impressive Art Deco building.   

FAVORITE WALK

Some nice walks in Riga include Mezapark, the Art Nouveau area and the historic center with the impressive Opera House, the original Black head palace and other important monuments. 

SECRET RIGA: A HIDDEN GEM

According to me, a true hidden gem of the city is the small market Kalnciema kvartāla tirgus (un-fortunately only opened on Saturdays in winter) that offers original products with wonderful biological qualities because they are natural and pure. I personally like Latvian national food because it is simple and tasty: some typical example of delicious dishes are Karbonāde ar kaulu (grilled pork chops), Piragi, Bukstinbiezputra (groats porridge), skalndrausi tarts, wind cakes “Old Riga”, Bilberry soup with dumplings.

ART GALLERY

Latvian artists are of course not only in kitchens, and the masterpieces of many talented ones can be found in Art fairs or museums (including the house of the Latvian Artists’ Union, the art gallery “Arsenāls”, Museum of Art Nouveau, National Museum of Latvia, Riga Stock 

Exchange museum and Riga Art Fair). Also by visiting them I discovered great young painters and sculptors (such as Ala Dzevaltovska, Kristine Alksne, Janis Avotins and Vitolds Kucins) trying to enhance their fame internationally. Some Latvian artists also show the products of their large-scale inventiveness and imagination during fashion events, such as Riga Fashion Weeks (where designers promote brands such as Anna LED, Dace Bahmann, Katya Katya Shehurina, NÓLÓ, M-Couture, Natālija Jansone, One Wolf, QooQoo)  or Kipsala Baltic Beauty Fair. In the latter hair stylists, such as Igors Popov (www.ambassade.lv), present their creations in impressive défilés. These artists – who were often able to enhance their talents in Milano, New York or Paris – are now launching new original trends in Riga, that may shape the XXI century outlook of fashion, painting  and sculpture. 

I wish them good luck! 

STORE

I like shopping at the Galleria and Stockmann because they are big centers located downtown.

OUT OF TOWN RETREAT

Since I live on my own I am able to travel a lot and can make last minute plans to visit remote areas of the country such as the Latgale region, where is located the Daugapils Fortress that has been beautifully restored and the church of Aglona. Latvia also has many little jems that are beautiful castles and manors. The most interesting ones are in Rundale (a beautiful renaissance premise designed by Italian architect Rastrelli) and Sigulda. 

As you can guess visiting such castles has become my favorite weekend activity but I also like walking by the sea side at Jurmala for example where it is also possible to relax in the impressive Baltic Spa.