Francis Edwardes

Ice fishing in Latvia is a popular winter activity. Fishermen will drill holes through frozen lakes and sit for hours on the ice to catch the fish beneath. This wide-spread activity combines skill, patience, and a love for the serenity brought by the sub-zero temperatures. Juglas ezers, Rīga.

The Latvian flag is raised to celebrate the nation during the singing and dancing festival: Dziesmu un Deju svētki. Every five years 30,000 Latvians gather for one week to pay tribute to their heritage through song and dance rooted in Latvian folklore. Since 2008, the celebration has been included in UNESCO's list of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Rīga, Rīga.

Boaters peacefully drift along the Gauja River. This river stands as a vital natural and cultural treasure, having served as a timeless muse for generations of artists, writers, and poets. In ancient times, the Gauja was a vital trade route, with timber rafts carrying valuable cargo. Today, the art of timber rafting has earned a prestigious spot on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list, demonstrating the close connection of man with nature and the rational use of natural resources. Vidzeme.

Winter along the Abava river, Kurzeme.

A derelict Soviet barracks stands still decades after the collapse of the Union. Despite the passing of time, the scars of the Soviet Union are still remembered through buildings like these.  Kurzeme.

A Soviet modernist (functionalism) building, typically known as Hruščovka by Latvians.  These buildings were built during the rule of Ņikitas Hruščova in response to the housing shortage. They were built as simply as possible since most inhabitants would spend their time working in the city or Soviet factories. Tukums, Kurzeme.

Summer strollers through Kandava, Kurzeme. Throughout the summer months, medieval buildings are decorated by an assortment of flowers.

Rudzupuķe are gathered to make a flower wreath during Jāņi, a festival celebrating the summer solstice. Jāņi  has ancient roots and is deeply rooted in Latvian folklore and traditions, where making and wearing flower wreaths is one of them. Rubene, Vidzeme.

Krese wearing her flower wreath. Women and girls wear wreaths made from flowers, grasses and herbs. It is believed that wreaths braided with twenty seven flowers and herbs prevents disasters and diseases, and repels enemies. Men and boys wear wreaths made of oak leaves, symbolising the physical strength of the oak tree. Kocēni, Vidzeme.

Ventas rumba is the widest European waterfall. It was designated a natural monument of Latvia in 1977. Today, many Latvians come to cool down along it's waters. Kuldīga, Kurzeme.

Raitis Sīmanis forages meadowsweet (vīgrieze). Vīgrieze possesses medicinal properties and is often drunk as a herbal tea. Vidzeme. 

Chanterelle (gailene) foraging during late summer and early autumn is a beloved tradition. Latvians treasure the connection to the land and enjoy incorporating the rich, earthy flavour of freshly foraged gailene into their cuisine. Vidzeme.

Hunter Gints Vaseris scans the landscape. Hunting in Latvia is a popular and regulated outdoor activity, deeply rooted in the country's cultural heritage. Hunters appreciate the diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife, making it a cherished pastime. Strict regulations ensure sustainable practices, preserving both the environment and the rich hunting tradition in Latvia. Vidzeme.

During the winter months, the landscape is transformed into a wonderland. An enchanted scenery creates a magical atmosphere that Latvians cherish during the colder months. Vaidava, Vidzeme.

Winter also brings practical challenges. Heavy snowfall transform into barricades, blocking roads and pathways, if not cleared away frequently. Valmiera, Vidzeme.  

Another ordinary winters day. Kocēni, Vidzeme.

Latvia's forest management is marked by a commitment to sustainability, with the timber industry playing a vital role. Through responsible harvesting, reforestation efforts, and environmental conservation, Latvia ensures the longevity of its forests while sustaining a thriving timber sector that contributes significantly to the country's economy. Vidzeme.

Tukuma Siltums. A heat supply company providing warmth to residents of Tukums, Zemgale.

Andries chops wood to ensure the central heating of a local grocery store is operational during the cold winter months. Kocēni, Vidzeme.

Signs of warmth from within. Kocēni, Vidzeme.  

Aigars waves from his country side home. Fewer inhabitants live in the country side as urban migration increases. Drabeši, Vidzeme.

Many Latvian families maintain small vegetable gardens, known as dārzs in Latvian, where they grow a variety of crops such as potatoes, carrots, beets, and cabbage. These gardens are not only a source of fresh, homegrown produce but also serve as a means of preserving traditional agricultural practices that have been passed down through generations.  Kocēni, Vidzeme.

Aina sits at her road side stall selling home grown flowers. Drabeši, Vidzeme.

Raitis Sīmanis prepares traps for the invasive American signal crayfish.  Currently, the Latvian Ministry of Agriculture is working on amendments to the regulations that will increase the number of crayfishing sites, thus allowing more invasive crayfish species to be caught to protect the local crayfish species. Vidzeme.

Rita Grīnliņa recites German poet Heinrich Heine's Die Lorelei, a poem she learned while at school, for her granddaughter. Tukums, Zemgale.

Latvian folk dancers perform during the singing and dancing festival: Dziesmu un Deju svētki. Every five years 30,000 Latvians gather for one week to pay tribute to their heritage through song and dance rooted in Latvian folklore. Since 2008, the celebration has been included in UNESCO's list of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Rīga, Rīga.