Arcadia Park Infrastructure

On April 27, 1988, about 10,000 people protested against the construction of the metro in Riga at a rally organized by the Environmental Protection Club in Arkadija Park. The demonstration began on the Esplanade at the Rainis Monument, but continued with a march along the Freedom Monument across the Stone Bridge to Arkadija Park, stretching for 2.5 kilometers. It was the first large rally of the Awakening era – unauthorized, but not prohibited. The Arkadija branch of the VAK held its meetings in the wooden building of the former Arkadija cinema (burned down in 2006, demolished two years later). Environmental activists gathered here, among whom ideas about nature protection were born, which gradually grew into demands for the restoration of Latvia’s independence.

In the summer of 1988, the Arkadija Park stage (burned down in 2000) was a gathering place for the radical national opposition. On July 10, the founding meeting of the Latvian National Independence Movement was held in the park, which was attended by about 2,000 people. As a venue for various mass events, Arkadija Park retained its importance throughout the Revival period. In November 2023, information stands of the municipal agency “Rīgas dārzi un parkis” “The wooden building of the Arkadija Cinema – one of the shacks of the Third Revival” and “Protest against the construction of the Riga Metro – the beginning of the restoration of Latvian independence” were installed in Arkadija Park.