The recipient of the “Rigan of the Year” award is traditionally named on November 18, at the solemn sitting of the Riga City Council dedicated to the anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Latvia.
This year, the Riga City Council award “Rigan of the Year 2020” was awarded to boxer Mairis Briedis for outstanding success in high-level boxing competitions and promotion of Riga in the world.
He also became the winner of the tournament of World Boxing Super Series and became season II Cruiserweight Muhammad Ali Trophy winner. Video
On the behalf of Toursinriga i congratulate Mairis Briedis. We are very inspired by your success!
During the solemn ceremony Chairman of the Riga City Council Mārtiņš Staķis especially highlighted the achievements of the people of Riga and all the inhabitants of Latvia, which this year have promoted the positive changes started 102 years ago and allow us to continue to be proud of our country and city. The Mayor of Riga mentioned the volunteers of the aid movement “Stay at Home”, employees of the medical industry and responsible services, Mairis Briedis achievements in sports, the world’s attention to the sculpture “Doctors for the World” exhibited in Riga and the performance of other representatives of the cultural industry. Even today, choirs, singers, folk groups continue to delight us with holiday concerts, which can be watched online all day long.
A person from any country and nationality who has promoted the recognition of Riga and drew the public’s attention to the capital of Latvia with its talent and work can apply for the local government award “Rigan of the Year”. Anyone living in Riga could nominate a candidate for the award. The submitted applications were evaluated by a jury chaired by the Chairman of the Riga City Council Mārtiņš Staķis. The jury consisted of Māra Lāce, Director of the Latvian National Museum of Art, Ivars Kalviņš, President of the Latvian Academy of Sciences, Leonīds Ribickis, Rector of Riga Technical University, Vjačeslavs Kaščejevs, Professor at the University of Latvia, , Vilis Diņš, actor of the New Riga Theater, Lolita Tomsone, director of the Žanas Lipke Memorial, Kristīne Garklāva, moderator of the TV3 show “900 Seconds” and Aleksis Zoldners, Adviser to the Chairman of the Riga City Council.
So far, the award has been received by the opera singer Elīna Garanča, composer Boriss Rezņiks, tennis player Alona Ostapenko, conductors Romāns Vanags and Māris Sirmais, maestro Raimonds Pauls, director Alvis Hermanis, hockey coach Jūliuss Šuplers, director of the Latvian National Opera , patrons Ināra and Boriss Teterevi, as well as Zaiga and Māris Gaiļi.