Ziemupe Greets the Sun with the Same Enthusiasm as Rose Square on Friday Night

An event took place in Ziemupe that could compete with Rose Square's winter popularity in terms of attendance – welcoming the spring equinox. Daina Vanaga, who took charge of organizing the event, admits that such public celebrations don't happen here every year. Just like at Rose Square – sometimes it's lively, sometimes it's not.

The group was indeed small – a few ladies who decided it's better to greet the sun together than not greet it at all. Last year, Vanaga welcomed the sun with just her mother, which by Liepāja standards is almost like a private concert. "Everyone probably greets the equinox differently, but the main thing is probably to greet that sun," the organizer comments philosophically.

Traditions, of course, must be interpreted in a modern spirit. The ancestors couldn't have imagined that someone would try to greet the sun while trees hide it. "The women joked that the trees in Ziemupe prevent seeing the little sun," the participants tell us, but with songs and warm tea they still managed. This was followed by the traditional procedure – making swings from willow branches and scaring birds. This is especially relevant in the seaside area, because there really are a lot of birds there.

The most excitement was generated by rinsing mouths in the sea. "Why not?" asked the participants, dancing around the small waves. Eating cranberries for beauty wasn't left out either – "So we'll be beautiful, not just pretty!" the ladies joked. Inta Vīgante from Pāvilosta admits this was her first time participating in such an event, because she wanted "someone else to lead, and I can just participate." That's almost like Liepāja's cultural life – sometimes it's better to be a spectator than an active participant.