“People Were Shouting They Couldn’t Breathe”: Sold-Out Ezīšfests Raises Safety Concerns

A sold-out summer festival in Riga drew complaints from visitors who said the crowding became dangerous. Some reported injuries, spilled drinks and people shouting that they could not breathe.

Ezīšfests, held at the Tallinas Street Quarter during the last weekend of summer, featured a broad lineup of Latvian performers. This year’s artists included Tranzīts, Žoržs Siksna, Singapūras Satīns, Arturs Skutelis, Olas, Athodi Brīnumzemē, Prusax & Steps and the Riga Cathedral School choir.

The sellout initially appeared to be good news, but complaints emerged on social media in the days afterward. Samanta, one attendee, said the entry process was chaotic and that she waited about two hours in line. Other people reportedly waited as long as three hours.

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First of all, entering the festival was complete chaos. We had to stand in line for about two hours, while some people stood for as long as three.

She said the queue stretched across the street, people pushed through it and attendees could not clearly tell where the line began. Some visitors said they left because of the wait, while others tried to bypass the line by pushing forward. Media reports said the problem was later brought under control.

Visitors also questioned whether the festival site was large enough for the number of people admitted. The organizers’ response was being sought.

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The line became so huge that it even stretched to the other side of the street. People pushed through the middle, and it was not clear where they were supposed to stand or where the line began.