Kite festival draws thousands to Riga passenger port

Several thousand spectators and more than 20 foreign artists attended the international Fantadroms kite festival at Riga Passenger Port, LSM reported. The Daugava riverside served as a stage for large flying air sculptures and sport kites.

The kites ranged from small geometric figures to works of art. Weather conditions determined which kites could be flown and which had to remain on the ground.

Artists described the day’s gusty wind as highly challenging. British artist Karl Robertson said the strong, active wind in the city required them to use all their skills.

“It keeps you active, and you cannot relax. So it is quite active. It is like a sport,” Robertson said.

Riga International Kite Festival organiser Zane Feifa said stronger winds were better for smaller kites, while calmer conditions allowed artists to fly giant kites measuring 20 to 50 metres. The wind, however, appeared to be slightly too gusty for some of them.

Belgian artist Bert Mātenss still found a moment to demonstrate one of the large kites. He said kite-making was a hobby he had pursued for 20 years and that he enjoyed seeing people, especially children, become excited when the kites were launched.