The historic Splendid Palace cinema in Riga has officially joined the European Film Academy’s list of European Film Cultural Treasures, marking a major milestone for one of Northern Europe’s oldest continuously operating movie theaters, according to artistic director and film critic Daira Āboliņa.
Architectural Heritage and Official Inauguration
Built in 1923 following a design by architect Frīdrihs Kārlis Skujiņš, Splendid Palace stands as a unique neo-Baroque landmark in the Latvian capital. According to details shared by Europeanfilmacademy.org, the building features decorative sculptures by artists Rihards Maurs and Jēkabs Legzdiņš alongside ceiling paintings by Hermanis Grīnbergs in the Main Hall. Artistic director Daira Āboliņa noted during the unveiling of a symbolic plaque at the theater’s facade that generations of staff maintained a deep responsibility for the architectural integrity of the structure. She highlighted that even during the years of Soviet occupation, the palm trees framing the Main Hall screen remained untouched. Today, the venue functions as both a historical monument and a modern exhibition space, operating alongside the newly renovated Straumes Hall opened last year, according to Splendid Palace management.
Did you know? Splendid Palace maintains a strict “popcorn-free zone” policy to preserve the historic atmosphere of the venue, with artistic director Daira Āboliņa emphasizing that management prefers the building to smell distinctively of cinema rather than snack foods.
Part of a Continental Network of Cinematic Landmarks
The European Film Cultural Treasures list, established by the European Film Academy, currently comprises 71 entries designed to identify, honor, and protect symbolic locations deeply tied to the continent’s cinematic history. According to program documentation, the directory includes notable sites such as the Trevi Fountain in Rome—famous for Federico Fellini’s 1960 feature La Dolce Vita—the Budapest Western Railway Station, the Institut Lumière, and the creative archive of Polish filmmaker Krzysztof Kieślowski. Daira Āboliņa noted that she visited the Ingmar Bergman Center on Fårö Island—another early inductee where the Swedish director filmed seven works including Persona—during her recent vacation. Splendid Palace represents the second Latvian entry on the list, following the Mežapark Great Stage, which served as a filming location for director and cinematographer Juris Podnieks’ 1990 documentary Krustceļš about the Baltic states’ path to independence.
Upcoming Repertory and Seasonal Programming
To celebrate its inclusion, the cinema launched its new season with a restored print of Michelangelo Antonioni’s 1966 mod-London masterpiece Blow-Up. Daira Āboliņa pointed out the meticulous color dramaturgy and visual precision of the film. Furthermore, the venue will mark its 103rd birthday on December 15 with a screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1958 psychological thriller Vertigo. Additional programming includes a retrospective film series titled 1967 curated by film scholar Dita Rietuma, running from October through March. This retrospective will feature five international works from a single pivotal year, incorporating Rolands Kalniņš’ classic Latvian feature Four White Shirts (Elpojiet dziļi…). The schedule also features a tribute on September 26 for director Jānis Streičs celebrating his ninetieth birthday through a concert presentation titled Mans draugs – Jānis Streičs featuring musical arrangements performed by groups including The Sound Poets and Kautkaili.
Pro Tip: Visitors looking to experience the venue’s seasonal events and upcoming festival lineups can track real-time scheduling updates and purchase tickets directly through the official website at Splendidpalace.lv.
Festival Season and Latvian Film Premieres
Splendid Palace will host a robust slate of autumn festivals, including the Baltic Sea Documentary Film Forum from September 8 to 13, the Baltic Pearl festival from September 23 to October 4, Manhattan Short from October 1 to 3, and the Riga International Film Festival from October 15 to 25. The festival lineup will showcase Laila Pakalniņa’s award-winning documentary Es domāju par kaķi alongside selections from Artdocfest/Riga. On the domestic front, the theater continues its focus on Latvian cinema premieres, following Edmund Jansons’ animated feature Laimīgie and preceding screenings of Oskars Morozovs’ fantasy adaptation Kristofers un divu pasauļu atslēga by author Arno Jundze, as well as Viesturs Kairišs’ feature film Uļa following its run at the Cannes Film Festival. Daira Āboliņa emphasized that the venue aims to cultivate a loyal audience for domestic productions, noting a significant rise in enrollment for audiovisual study programs driven by recent successes in the local film industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Splendid Palace cinema built?
The Splendid Palace cinema was built in 1923, designed by architect Frīdrihs Kārlis Skujiņš, making it one of the oldest continuously operating movie theaters in Northern Europe.
What is the European Film Cultural Treasures list?
Created by the European Film Academy, the list honors and protects 71 symbolic locations, historic cinemas, and archives across the continent that hold deep significance in European film history.
What other Latvian location is on the European Film Cultural Treasures list?
The Mežapark Great Stage, where director and cinematographer Juris Podnieks filmed the 1990 documentary Krustceļš, was previously inducted into the list alongside Splendid Palace.
Where can audiences view the current Splendid Palace schedule?
Current repertory information, festival dates, and ticket details are available directly on the official Splendidpalace.lv website.
Are you planning to catch a classic screening or a festival premiere at Splendid Palace this season? Share your thoughts on Riga’s cinematic heritage in the comments below, or subscribe to our cultural newsletter for weekly updates on local film events.
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