An Eastern European Garden Party, where arguments about the tastiest shashlik will play out against the backdrop of Eastern European and Caucasian songs and dances, will take place on Sunday, 23rd August at K.K. fon Stricka villa.  Anyone is invited to register themselves and their team for the shashlik competition, start marinating meat, dust off their grill, pack it all in the car, and come and fight for first prize.

The judging panel — chef Mārtinš Sirmais and food culture researcher Dr. Astra Spalvēna — will rate the shashliks and give their unfiltered opinions, in the true time-honoured Eastern European tradition of arguing. Have no fear, participants are invited to give back as good as they get!

The application form can be found here: https://forms.gle/3tgD6jfVqqogQmbx6

The Eastern European Garden Party is part of the Global Dance Jam series, where people will come together to celebrate dance, food and song from Eastern Europe to India and back. The programme has been developed by contemporary dance company SIXTH, chef Mārtiņš Sirmais, food culture researcher Dr. Astra Spalvēna, content creator Gokuls, musician and lecturer Linars Kalniņš, a choir, and others who know a thing or two about celebrating.

Dance, song and good food are some of the main ways we come together to enjoy ourselves and spend time with one another. These creative acts don’t just revive us; they have transformative power. That’s why five events will take place this summer and autumn, culminating in a grand finale celebration at K.K. fon  Stricka villa which will invite people to dust off the cobwebs from the skills we all know so well: coming together to dance, sing, feast and celebrate.

More information: Mārtiņš Mielavs, [email protected], tel. 29988706

Global Dance Jam is a cycle of cultural events which aims to promote the social and cultural integration of third country nationals in Latvia through interdisciplinary, artistic and creative tools. This project is co-financed by the European Union through the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (75%) and the Latvian State Budget (25%).