DZĪVĀS IZSTĀDES RĪGĀ 19. GADSIMTA PĒDĒJĀS UN 20. GADSIMTA PIRMAJĀS DESMITGADĒS

From the second part of the 19^th century till the First World War, the schedule of cultural events in Riga, capital of Latvia, featured a diverse range of performances by ethnic groups and freaks. The study’s source material, which include press announcements, posters, and memoirs, document over 40 live exhibitions during this period. The availability of European and globally renowned actors in this genre, for the pleasure of Riga’s inhabitants and visitors, was ensured by the city’s location at the intersection of significant transportation routes, being under the influence of different cultures, and in the network of ethnographic industry enterprises. The study delves into various exotic performances shown in Riga, examining their connection to the era’s common notions about races and evolution.