Holidays

The citizens of Riga were able to enjoy themselves despite difficult times. Umurkumurs is a good example of this. Some researchers believe that this word originates from the German “Hungerkummer” i.e. “hunger and troubles”, and the holiday could be considered a celebration of the fortitude shown by Riga’s citizens in their struggles with hunger. In 1601-1602 emaciated refugees from the Polish-Swedish war came to Riga from the battle-scarred regions. The citizens of Riga selflessly shared their food stores and managed to save the majority of them from death by starvation. In honour of this, holidays were celebrated from year to year. They traditionally took place in the autumn and involved the city of Riga feeding and giving presents to the homeless. The festivities took place behind the Riga dams on the site of present-day Kubes Hill, earlier called the Esplanade. At the same time there was a large autumn market, featuring pole climbing as entertainment. Various delicacies could be found in the wreaths placed on top of the poles (which were run by the brotherhood of bakers), as well as useful items such as boots or articles of clothing. Anybody could climb the poles for these presents, and the number of those wishing to do so was large. Onlookers enjoyed the spectacle and cheered the climbers – when they weren’t pelting them with apples. Unfortunately, though, only a few participants ever managed to reach the top of the pole.

The high point of Old Riga’s public life was the Shrovetide (Vastlāvji). The wealthy merchants of the Large Guild celebrated this in great style; unlike “Umurkumurs” it was the holiday of the upper classes. Celebrations of the Shrovetide and dances in the New House (the original name of the House of Blackheads) were mentioned as early as 1354. Specific rules for banquets and tournaments existed in 1416, but around 1500 regulations for the Shrovetide were elaborated. The holiday actually started on the Monday and Tuesday before the Shrovetide with light feasts, including beer tasting. On both of these days the Blackheads decorated their walls with Flemish carpets and paintings. The holiday proper began on Wednesday and lasted for 8 days with magnificent banquets, numerous guests, music, tournaments in the market square, dances and much carousing. Dancing took place both in the market square and in the House of Blackheads.
11 courses of beer and mead, which was prepared from 5 pots of honey, were consumed in the Blackhead House during the holidays. The spices for the meats alone were 2 pounds of ginger, 2 pounds of nutmeg, and 4 pounds of African pepper. Bread, meat, fish, vegetables, fruits and 2 pounds of sweets were also served.