On August 10th, a large-scale street art mural titled ‘Riga’s Atlantis’ was unveiled in the centre of Riga, inviting viewers to see the city canal as a living ecosystem, a space for urban biodiversity and recreation, and an important green-blue corridor within the city.
Located beneath the Emīlija Benjamiņa Street overpass near Riga Central Station, the mural was created by street artists Dainis Rudens, Bikti, Uman, Pinka, Kosti and Renārs Caune. Dainis Rudens and philosopher Igors Gubenko served as curators and co-authors of the concept. The project was delivered as part of the Urban ReLeaf Community and Culture Pop up Labs Campaign, with support from Riga Municipality.
The unveiling event brought together project partners, artists, researchers and representatives from Riga City Council. Speeches were given by Mārtiņš Eņģelis, Deputy Chair of the Riga City Development Committee and Riga City Councillor; Anita Līce from Riga Planning Region; Nora Gāgane, Urban ReLeaf project expert; Igors Gubenko, curator and co-author of the concept; and Dainis Rudens, lead artist and co-author of the concept. The event also featured music from Ēriks Miezis who played the vibraphone.
The mural emerged from the Urban ReLeaf Riga team, who worked with residents and researchers to explore urban heat islands, air quality and the importance of green spaces. As scientific research can often remain within academic and specialist settings, Urban ReLeaf established Community and Culture Pop Up Laboratories in the six pilot cities, bringing artists, researchers and local communities together to explore climate change, the urban environment and nature through accessible and creative forms of communication.
For ‘Riga’s Atlantis’, the development process involved extensive research, including surveys of local residents and interviews with experts from different fields. Researchers, nature specialists, cultural representatives, regular visitors to the canal and passers-by all contributed their observations and experiences. These conversations helped reveal the diverse relationships people have with the canal and its surroundings, informing a mural where research, personal stories and artistic interpretation came together.
The work encouraged reflection on climate change, humanity’s relationship with nature and shared responsibility for the city’s future. It highlighted how climate change, air quality, green infrastructure and urban development are interconnected issues that shape everyday life in the city.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the creation and unveiling of ‘Riga’s Atlantis’, including the artists, curators, researchers, community members, project partners and Riga City Council. Their collaboration, knowledge and contributions helped bring the mural to life and created a new way for people to engage with the environmental challenges and opportunities facing Riga.