The Latvian National Theatre (Latvian: Latvijas Nacionālais teātris) is the national theatre of Latvia in Riga.
The theatre was built between 1899-1902 by the design of architect Augusts Reinbergs, becoming Riga's second (Russian) theatre. It closed during the First World War; on 18 November 1918, Latvia's independence was declared in the theatre building. In 1917 the first shows in Latvian were held in the theatre.
The Latvian National Theatre was founded 30 November 1919, just over a year after independence. The creative program was authored by Jānis Akurāters, a Latvian writer, then head of the Art department of the Ministry of Education. The current managing director of the theatre is Viesturs Rieksts and the artistic director is Edmunds Freibergs.
Famous quotes containing the words national and/or theatre:
“A good man will not engage even in a national cause, without examining the justice of it.”
—Samuel Richardson (1689–1761)
“Glorious bouquets and storms of applause ... are the trimmings which every artist naturally enjoys. But to move an audience in such a role, to hear in the applause that unmistakable note which breaks through good theatre manners and comes from the heart, is to feel that you have won through to life itself. Such pleasure does not vanish with the fall of the curtain, but becomes part of one’s own life.”
—Dame Alice Markova (b. 1910)