Why This Entire Country Worships Nature 🇱🇻 (Midsummer in Latvia)

[@arthurdeniskrautman9574]

Both my parents were born in Latvia. I grew up hearing stories of them growing up in Latvia. I am making my second visit to Latvia this 2024 midsummer looking forward to enjoying all the festivities. It feels like I'm coming home.

[@DubultaisT]

As a fellow Latvian I hope You had the best midsummer experience. Līgo, Līgo.

[@sonymangames]

You celebrated as any Latvian would, the only thing that most of us do, is go to the local greenery festival (zaļumballe) where there's usually a band playing the folk songs and everybody is dancing. But I'm really glad that you enjoyed our holiday and actually took your time to learn about it. Paldies! 🇱🇻

[@KeepGoingPlaces]

Yes, thank you! So glad we did it right (It definitely felt right)! 😊 Wish we would’ve known about the greenery festival - sounds fun!

[@JAIBAL1]

We are waiting for u again! You guys are more than welcome in Latvia

[@Eva-S-L]

This was such a delight to watch. As a Latvian, Midsummer is my favorite holiday. You can't really mess this holiday up. Basically you chill by fire with cheese and beer, listen to fun, cheerful songs. Nowadays we also cook like marinated meat (šašliks) which is heaven for meat eater. Hops you enjoyed this holiday :)

[@KeepGoingPlaces]

We LOVED our time in Latvia during Midsummer! Glad we didn't mess it up :) Thank you for watching and reaching out!

[@FVBmovies]

Eva, marinated meat (šašliks) isn't native per se and came into holidays during Soviet occupation era.

[@TheSaraon]

@@FVBmovies Did she said anything about ''native''? and who cares where it came from? cant imagine nobody before did not think about cutting meat in smaller pieces and cooking it over fire! I bet someone brought ''Grey peas and speck'' to Latvia! How about boiled potatoes? are they Latvian? we have them almost in every celebration! what about ''Jāņu siers'' do you think its only Latvian? no! the same recipe is used in Lithuania, Estonia, Russia, Finland, Sweden etc... so what? Ej cep savas sardeles kaut kur citur!

[@FVBmovies]

@@TheSaraon Not gonna read your blog post. If you don't get it, agree to disagree.

[@TheSaraon]

@@FVBmovies not my problem that you are illiterate!

[@sakkijarvenpolkka2090]

I absolutely adore how much love and attention to detail you put in to have this experience! There is no right way to celebrate Līgo and Jāņi - it's all about connecting with nature and one's self, and you did that perfectly. Glad to see you both enjoying this holiday and we'll definitely be looking forward to seeing more from the both of you! ❤

[@KeepGoingPlaces]

Thank you so much! We wanted to really feel like we were experiencing the same Midsummer energy that Latvians feel. We had such a wonderful time out in nature and in the dome tent. Glad you're enjoying the adventures :)

[@edwardmeade]

Hunting the fern flower. So traditionally there is traffic jam at the maternity wards in Latvia around the spring equinox. I'll let you do the math.

[@ok-vk9fv]

Ironically, as a Latvian i've NEVER met anybody born in March. Most of my friends are born in July or May.

[@oskars.ozolins]

Im so happy as a Latvian to see you both enjoying Latvian tradition like this. I can say that you absolutely crushed it, you both did better than most Latvian. Hopefully someone will invite you both to next year's celebration 😊

[@KeepGoingPlaces]

Yay, thank you! We LOVED every part of celebrating in Latvia 🇱🇻 Thanks for watching!

[@uncleal9523]

COPIUM

[@zanebomis]

This was amazing. Not gonna lie, when I read that you are celebrating līgo, my first thought was " oooh, great, they have friends here" :D and after that I learned that you will celebrate alone, was a little bit dissapointed :D but then you celebrated better than most latvians and video was amazing. And your knowledge about traditions was the best! 💜 Great crowns for both :)

[@KeepGoingPlaces]

Yay, thank you so much for letting us know! We were very happy with how it turned out. Those crowns were fun to make and wear. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@journeybeyonddestination-go]

OMG I just discovered your channel and I LOVED this episode so much! I'm a "born again Pagan" and this was so beautiful to watch. I've never been to Lativa, but it seems like THE perfect place to celebrate Midsommar! Cheers, and Keep Going Places !!

[@latvian9355]

Lielākā daļa cilveku nesaprot kas tas ir par mieru pie dabas šādi dzīvot. Lielaka daļa cilvēku doma ka megapolēs dzīvot tas ir super, bet nē!!!!

[@mikuskokenbergs8853]

Ne katrs to var atļauties. Kad Tev ir jāmaksā rēķini... Un alga ir zemāka par vidējo.

[@SammyandTommy]

Y’all this was such a fun one! Jordan’s moment with that leaf crown was adorable 💜

[@KeepGoingPlaces]

Haha, that leaf crown brought out the confidence! 😂 Glad y’all enjoyed it; we had fun filming this one!

[@edwardmeade]

Now he just needs to learn to play the bagpipe and maybe he can join Aulis. 👍

[@penc6662]

Love this so much!! This is so me - when I mentioned this to my daughter she said "Oh Mum, this is you! You need to do this!!". I had never considered going to Latvia but now after watching and learning about this beautiful festival, I not only want to go, I feel I neeeeeed to. Thanks guys, I love how you researched all about it and really embraced it all. Awesome!

[@yaki19]

You did all good! Most important is the spirit of midsummer! Wish we could celebrate together!

[@EvanandLemon]

Friends! This video is incredible! Very cinematic and beautiful. If you want to have a midsummer party next year- we are so down!

[@KeepGoingPlaces]

Yay, thank you! So glad to hear you enjoyed it. A big midsummer celebration would be fun! Maybe some generous Latvian folks will see this and invite us 😉

[@alexis.rei.]

Loved the video! As a latvian, i think you did everything wonderfully. I'm really glad you enjoyed the summer solstice :) p.s. i loved the flower/leaf crowns!!

[@KeepGoingPlaces]

Yes, so glad to hear we did it right and that you enjoyed the video! Those flower and leaf crowns were so much fun to wear!

[@TheKidrauhul]

Just watched all your videos from Latvia and you guys melted my heart! You explained all the traditions and did them perfectly! This made me so proud, you cannot imagine! After my exchange year abroad I had forgotten how much I love my country and how proud I am of it, but your videos reminded me of how great this place is! The midsummer celebration is my favourite and I wanted to say thank you! This meant so much to me and you seem like trully great humans! Love and greetings from Latvia

[@KeepGoingPlaces]

Thank you so much for your kind words 🤗 So happy you enjoyed this series from Latvia 🇱🇻 Lovely place!

[@victoriajacobson2696]

I love that you did that, that you took the time to get all the different parts together and learn what they each represent... Nice job on the crowns btw. Aside from you enjoying this traditional celebration, what a lovely way to pay homage to another's culture. LOVE THAT! great vlog guys. they get better and better 💙

[@KeepGoingPlaces]

Thank you so much! We truly wanted to do it 'right' and feel the same Midsummer energy that Latvians enjoy. So glad you enjoy our vlogs so much :) Thank you!!

[@Kim-J312]

Very cool , very Pagan ❤🪴 🌳

[@FVBmovies]

Another part of Latvians instead of Līgo celebrate astronomical summer solstice Saulgrieži which is two days before as you mentioned. Usually in tight knit groups giving out information by word of mouth, waiting for the Sun to come up, some are traditional clothing, doing rituals such as making giant fire, swimming etc. Thank you for taking the time and visit our country. :)

[@ok-vk9fv]

The most important part is waiting the sunrise😀😀🇱🇻🇱🇻

[@KeepGoingPlaces]

Thanks! So neat watching the sun and sky not get dark that time of year

[@vyacheslavdubrovin3337]

What a beautiful place! What a beautiful nature! What a beautyful video! I watching that and drinking kvass🙂

[@KeepGoingPlaces]

Glad you enjoyed it! Love the kvass!

[@kamelos5240]

Amazing video. Very nice traditions. Loved the hats. I'll need to this one day. I'll need to go to Latvia someday.

[@KeepGoingPlaces]

Thank you for letting us know! So glad you enjoyed it :) Definitely go to Latvia for Midsummer!

[@neverbored]

Wow what a great video! You are so likeable, amazing energy! Beautiful nature 🇱🇻

[@KeepGoingPlaces]

Thank you!! So glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@ieva_udre]

Ahhh. ❤ You've captured the beauty of Latvia's nature and the magic of Līgo, if spent just with your loved one, so beautifully! Truly magical video. ❤✨️ My heart is bursting with love and pride. Thank you for this video. Beautiful work! ❤️🇱🇻

[@KeepGoingPlaces]

Thank you 😊

[@KRSmith-cj4oh]

This vlog took glamping to a whole new level! Except the bees...they're pretty scary. LOVED the flower head pieces, Ashley you did a great job making them. The food looked good, too, so thanks for sharing it with us!

[@KeepGoingPlaces]

YAY, Thank you! The flower crowns really turned out well :) Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@IvarsRuza]

You are doing it perfect! The right way to be part of nature! 👌

[@ar4ijss]

Perfect video! Thank you! You both naild it! Hope you visit us next year..

[@MrCatmint]

Beautifully presented video! Atmospheric!

[@KeepGoingPlaces]

Thank you!! So glad you enjoyed it :)

[@kvassman_]

I was laughing my ass off watching them think kvass can get you drunk :D great video guys, keep doing what u doing

[@dotConcept]

That was great!! I've tried celebrating outside of Latvia many times, but it just doesn't hit as good as it does when I'm on my soil. Being out in the nature is what does it i think

[@sandrisjansons1515]

Once again - very beautiful video . Congratualtions of your first latvian tradition experience ! Any other time you have to spend midsummer night with traditional songs , dances and other activities along with other people . That will be fun !

[@KeepGoingPlaces]

Thank you!! 😊 🇱🇻

[@davidellis5141]

The Dome Home is pretty awesome ! Sure beats a tent ⛺️ .. love getting up at 4:20 AM for a morning 🌄 swim. Nice.

[@KeepGoingPlaces]

That dome and the forest area with private pond were so cool! Glad you enjoyed the video :)

[@Baltic_Thunder]

You celebrated very good and right also me and my family and cousins usaly kepp the fire till 10 A clock

[@mofo_4_u75]

Great video

[@emils147]

I fell in love with my country even more

[@Normundsz]

Wow! Im watching your great videos. I would never imagine that you could think of celebrating Ligo in Latvia :D. And just alone :D. Incredible. Fantastic video.

[@KeepGoingPlaces]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. We loved our time in Latvia and especially Midsummer!

[@jolantabalode9770]

Thank you for this video. It is wonderfull. Me, as a Latvian, you have done perfectly. Thank you for sharing our traditions. ❤️

[@Yelly2012]

Wow guys what a great video! I loved it so much. I miss Ligo a lot and summer in Latvia. You are so pretty and spending great time together. Thanx again

[@mari102158]

You two are such a sweet couple, it’s a pleasure to see your videos.

[@j7ndominica051]

Ashley has so much positivity and gets excited about ordinary things. I think I might listen to long wave radio in a place where there is no electricity, and hear the shipping forecast around the British Isles. Until the mosquitoes found me. You think you've escaped the bees and it's over. That black bread is just a clump of seeds. A normal bread looks like a dense bread of flour with malt extract and some caraway seeds. Who flew the chopper to film them from above dancing?

[@vlm4962]

Bees are attracted to white and yellow. Your car is bright white. Looks like another great trip. Love the glamping dome.

[@KeepGoingPlaces]

Ahh, that must bee why! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@krilaz]

This was so well made, the scenery, camera work, editing and the dedication from both of you to go through with this tradition and the research you've done to learn about it just blew me away. Even i learnt a few things i didn't know. I would be thrilled to meet a couple like you in my home country haha. Super adorable! Bless you and best wishes.

[@jeylagika8194]

Amazing video!! Now I want to celebrate Midsummer :)

[@Squid969]

Love these videos about my home country. By the way, you both look like Latvians.😁 I appreciate your effort in video editing, it's on point.

[@KeepGoingPlaces]

Yay, so glad you’re enjoying these videos! Thank you for letting us know.

[@alessiasp]

Beautiful. Thanks for taking us with you.

[@KeepGoingPlaces]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it! 😊

[@travelmurmur]

Just added this to my bucket list! What a lovely experience. The dome is awesome!

[@visionscenechannel667]

Amazing video👍😊

[@KeepGoingPlaces]

Thank you!! So glad you enjoyed it :)

[@martinsancitis7566]

As a latvian, I can approve that you did very well. You were very well prepared and this is how basically couples who doesn't want to be around other people during Jāņi would do. I'm proud of you👍😎

[@sanitaerenberga1109]

Love your videos❤. Just a note-kvass is not an alcoholic drink, it’s like a soda.

[@SendMoreParamedics13]

That looked like a lot of fun. I'm jealous! Ya both looked lovely in your lil'crowns. 🌼 🌸 Totally would do this though. Guess my girlfriend and I will also have to find some friends. 😂

[@KeepGoingPlaces]

So much FUN! Those flower crowns turned out good! Glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@anaaquino4212]

We love to see a series on you guys traveling to the Central American countries!

[@KeepGoingPlaces]

We’d love to explore both Central and South America!

[@mikuskokenbergs8853]

Man. You make a perfect Jānis. Oak is a sacred tree for Germanic and Baltic tribes. It represents strength, valor, masculinity. When one has cold in winter it is mandatory to drink oak bark tee cause it will make you recover real quick.

[@iamvigant]

I was taught that oak bark tea is good for constipation 🤭

[@mikuskokenbergs8853]

@@iamvigant Not only.

[@disasterkisare2179]

Us Latvian im happy to see you trying, you did grate. Yeah you cant mess up Ligo if you are out of town and have fire :)

[@raclark2730]

Cheese wheels represent the Sun. I always assumed it was for some practical reason, that is quite profound. 🌞

[@marutakelers1856]

That was such a lovely, intimate celebration. One thing I would mention is that Janis is one of the sons of Dievs (God) and the oak tree is sacred to him, that is why the men wear oak crowns to honor him. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful tradition! If you come back again, there are some more public celebrations that anyone can join in, one of them is on the shore of the Baltic Sea.

[@exploretheworldwithtom]

If you ever go back to Latvia. Give me shout and I can be your local guide in Latvia! You should definitely come back between November 11 - November 18 this is when Latvia celebrates its Latvian Freedom Fighters' Remembrance Day as well as independence day

[@kennymichael542]

The one scene made me laugh is Ashley show an expression(Seems like she is allergic with shower😂jk)when the water falls on the body of Ashley.

[@paolagaytan6275]

Loved Lavia! Could you let us know the name of the domes? Thanks

[@KeepGoingPlaces]

Thank you! There’s a link to it in the video description

[@Raj-zh2kk]

The forest 5 people standing in at 7:40. Is that at Latvia?

[@HakkoChannel]

Yes - its folk band, not sure bout name, but you can try Iļģi.

[@HakkoChannel]

Or Auļi: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2PVXqippd1pgq8&pp=ygUGScS8xKNp

[@HakkoChannel]

m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2PVXqippd1pgq8&pp=ygUGScS8xKNp

[@mellenjoga]

Where can you find this amazing location?

[@kristapsplatais4150]

We go looking for fern flower , it’s mean , we go make with love ! Like you say , fern don’t have flower 😂😂😂

[@italianlifestyle7911]

Bellissimo posto❤

[@KeepGoingPlaces]

Thank you :)

[@marutakelers1856]

Oh, also, the story of the fern flower says you're supposed to bring a blanket to lay under the ferns, because when the flower blooms, it wilts immediately, and if the petals fall on your blanket, they turn into gold 😉

[@DageLV]

most would just rinse off in the lake if need be... Most would go for a swim anyways, but if you get sweaty or smelly, there is a lake. Just grab a sponge and that's basically good enough for just the 2 days.

[@sissi3802]

Paldies.

[@kirdot2011]

Ashley has such a Latvian sounding voice tone that I would have never guessed that she's from Texas if it wasn't for the written info.

[@pioners1001]

Actually, Kvass is non-alcoholic. It's great that you enjoyed our midsummer fest!

[@Ojstra]

I like this Eastern European folklore and fairytales so much, you had like another Midsummer Night's Dream at the end, I believe. Nice to see something like that in a unique travel vlog, with amazing flower crowns on your heads. In my country Slovenia, bonfires are traditionally on the May Day (International Workers' Day, May 1) but pagan roots are still present in the time around the Summer Solstice. In your USA, I believe bonfires are practiced mostly on the Halloween (you had nice vlogs around that time from New England last year, chapeau). If you like Halloween, it is maybe time to do a visit to amusement parks, even in Europe they have Halloween decorations there in October (Gardaland also amazing soundtrack of Magic Halloween). ;)

[@KeepGoingPlaces]

These traditions and meaning of the celebrations are so fun. We love everything about midsummer in Latvia 🇱🇻 We’re glad you enjoyed the video, thank you!

[@starvid1310]

@Ojstra Latvia(all 3 Baltic countries) is actually Northern Europe. We celebrate Midsummer also in Scandinavia, Estonia, Lithuania with bonfires etc. but I agree it`s really huge celebration and the National Holiday in Latvia. where everyone is involved.

[@kristapsplatais4150]

Can one question ? From where are you ? 😊

[@KeepGoingPlaces]

We’re from the USA 😊

[@kristapsplatais4150]

@@KeepGoingPlaces wow , and you know so much about Latvian tradition . We are so small country , how you know all that ? In Europe lot of peoples didn’t know were is Latvia . Wow , I’m in little shock !!!!

[@KeepGoingPlaces]

Haha 😂 We did a LOT of research before visiting! 🇱🇻

[@kristapsplatais4150]

Now you are real Latvians 😊

[@KeepGoingPlaces]

Yes!!!

[@kristapsplatais4150]

@@KeepGoingPlaces ❤

[@vviewerv915]

You did it better that Latvian do it! Līgo

[@ezícmiglá]

what happened to that big beautiful lake you been on? this current location is like in a middle of forest. i just hope you didnt swim in that small forest lake 🙂your knowledge about Līgo is very impressive

[@RedClover1987]

Latvia one of the last countries in Europe to be ‘Converted by force to Christianity’ The pagan still lives on. Thank the gods.

[@arisplugis5197]

18:43 you are doing better Līgo than quite a few locals do. they just drink way too much beer way too early in evening. eat tons of šašliks and then fart whole next day.

[@KeepGoingPlaces]

Haha! Glad to hear it!

[@janisavotins1859]

Kvass is basically the kid version of beer

[@kirdot2011]

Have you guys seen the "midsommar" movie?!

[@ArmandsPadrevics]

Now you have to celebrate Jāņi/Līgo every year wherever you go. A fact about Jāņi is that Jānis was the God of Celebration and alcohol, like the Greek god Dionysus. Also, the flower of the fern refers to the girl as per old-old tradition, at least a strand of fern needs to be tied in the flower crown, but this has died down in the modern meanings and is kept in few select people traditions still.

[@marislusis2106]

Great video, yours Līgo was More authentic than moust of latvians.

[@KeepGoingPlaces]

Thank you! Glad to hear it - we had so much fun!

[@cherryscarlett]

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[@persycon]

You did it right.

[@DubultaisT]

So wonderful to see other people embracing our pagan traditions with our sex rituals and heavy drinking. 🌿🌿🌿

[@classy5208]

Next time don't be alone, join some folks, because a lot things you missed

[@DageLV]

ehh... Fern flower... its hunted by young couples, deep in forest. 9 months later its called the fern flower... Kids dont know it, they just may also wander in the forest looking for that flower, and in latvia the nature is not tryna end you, so kids are pretty safe to wander in the forest as well, and they are actually looking for the flower on the plant, not the young couples fern flower. If some adult said he is gonna go hunt for fern flower alone, he'd be getting hella weird looks.

[@mikuskokenbergs8853]

Please don't leave us, when enemy comes nocking out, not in to, our door once again. West dropped Baltics after 1945. President Clinton promised that will never happen again in 1994. We believe You won't turn Your backs on us again.

[@DageLV]

ya gotta watch yourself on this.... Dude if you get drunk on kvass you need hospital ASAP, cause the alcohol percentage is so little, you've drank way way way WAAAAYYY too much liquid. Like... kids can drink it... its not recognised as alcoholic beverage.