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Riga Shakes and Stirs for Ancient Festival

The Martini festival, which occurs on November 10th each year, may surprise many that is not, in fact, a festival in recognition of the popular drink.

Martini balls, the local delicacy from which the event gets its name, are actually made of peas, bean, potatoes and hemp, which accompany the bread, honey and chicken or goose popular at this time of year.

The history of the event itself dates back to ancient times, marking the end of the winter preparations in the old agricultural calendar.

For Latvians, this day represents the end of the "soul period", which has strong religious relevance and the beginning of winter and the start of the masquerade season.

Preparation for winter was a vital process in ancient Latvia, as the meat and fish needed to be salted, preserved made and harvests reaped for survival through the season.

Tourists flock to Riga each year for their holidays, often the cheap hotels, alcohol and vibrant nightlife luring them there, with the destination popular for stag parties.

This article is provided by Hotels Hotels Hotels suppliers of cheap hotels in Riga

Updated: Mon, 14 Aug 2006 00:00:00

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