How do we understand where we are through listening? Witness Stand is an unlikely place to listen. Across a city, in water bodies, restricted and forgotten sites, Witness Stand Rīga is an invitation to gather and listen together to works that respond to the ancient, recent, and future stories of the city. On a series of bespoke seating tiers extending from the Beach at Bolderāja to the ancient Oak at Sarkandaugava, seated alongside local musicians and poets, audiences will experience a series of specially commissioned works from across the communities of Riga.

Together, we direct our gaze towards sites of contestation, cultural potency, and sites for celebration, listening towards the future:

Daugavgrīva beach, witnessed by music bands “Alejas” and “Toms Vītiņš & Uģis Vītiņš”, poet Fyodor Dzevaltovsky

Vanšu bridge, witnessed by harpsichord player Ieva Saliete and poet Ilmārs Šlāpins in honor of the 40th anniversary of Vanšu Bridge.

Former radio jamming towers, witnessed by sound artist Andris Indāns and poet Sergei Timofeyev.

An old Oak tree, witnessed by kokle player Laima Jansone and poet Agnese Krivade. 

Benches in the Great Cemetery, witnessed by composer Olesya Kozlovska and poet Elvīra Bloma with live music performers Jāni Frīdenfeldu (trumpet) and Sarma Gabrēna (cello).

Former Central Committee of the Communist Party, witnessed by Jēkabs Nīmanis, Maksims Šenteļevs together with poet Inga Gaile and audience.