Ligo!

The above is, sadly, an untranslatable. It can be a noun, verb, or interjection, depending on the context/speaker. As a noun, it is the name of a holiday. As an interjection, it is like “Cheers!” As a verb, the best one-word translation into English would be "to rusticate" - but "ligo" is celebratory, in common use, and graceful, none of which "rusticate" is.

So, we must look for more than one word. In one phrase, it could mean something like "Celebrate Jani." But this doesn't make any sense to your average American (even less than "rusticate").

So, to grab all the connotations, take the following description. "Ligo" is: "celebrating the summer solstice (the longest, warmest day in a place accustomed to long, dark, cold winters), by going out to the countryside, picnicking, picking flowers, eating rye bread and caraway cheese, drinking beer, building bonfires, staying up all night (about three hours), singing, and dancing."

This is, in my mind, a most excellent thing :). If nothing else, we got to have a party at work and we have the next two days off – adding up to a lovely four day weekend. Flowers, singing, and fairs are everywhere. The Ligo/Jani holidays are a very good time to be in Riga – but even if you’re not, any excuse for such a celebration is quite worthwhile :).

So... *raises glass* Live it up – and “Ligo!” :)