When you come to Riga, do not miss the opportunity to visit the Latvian National Opera! Opera traditions in Latvia date back to the 18th century. In 1760, travelling opera troupes began performing regularly in Riga. In 1782, the city's German Theatre opened its doors as a legitimate theatre and opera and ballet performances were also presented.

1920-1940, over 300 performances were staged, attended each year by over 220 thousand. Original Latvian opera and ballet productions by Janis Medins, Jazeps Medins and Janis Kalnins graced the repertory. Stars like Mikhail Baryshnikov, Alexander Godunov and Maris Liepa have all begun their formal dance training in Riga.
Currently, Latvian National Opera expects visits of such famous stars as Sergej Larin from Metropolitan, Bojidar Nikolov from Vienna and Warren Mok from Hong Kong. And, of course, everyone is welcome to attend Riga Opera Festival 2000 on 7- 18 June.

Tampere is a high ranking international conference city. Every year, some 30 international conventions with an average of 6000- 8000 participants are arranged in Tampere. This year, EU related meetings will put a sharp upswing on the curve with 48 international meetings and a total of 15. 000 delegates.
Tampere offers a wide range of venues, well- developed conference infrastructure, centrally located quality accommodation and restaurant services, a wide supply

of arts and culture, a clean natural environment and good connections both by air and by rail.
Additionally, Tampere is one of Finland's most popular tourist centres. Last year, Tampere's hotels registered 575,000 guests and the share of foreign visitors was 20%. According to several surveys, Tampere's appeal comprises a wide range of attractions. The chief attraction is the Sarkanniemi Theme Park. Other popular spots include the Moominvalley museum with its collection of illustrations and other pieces of art on Tove Jansson's Moomin books, Sara Hilden's collection of modern art, the only surviving Lenin Museum in the world, and the new Vapriikki Museum Centre.

WINTER SPELLS

St. Petersburg will strike you with its vibrant energy and the diversity of events. It attracts public figures, businessmen, politicians and scientists from all around the world.
First of all, it is a world heritage city with vast mental and cultural potential. Market research clearly shows the increase of tourists coming to the city and attracting additional tourist flows is one of the first priorities in city policy.
Congress tourism is a promising segment of St. Petersburg tourist market, starting from major congresses to small scientific seminars on various profiles.
In the BSR there are various programs aimed on tourism development, including new routes and designing joint projects. An example of such cooperation project is the integration of St. Petersburg and Leningrad region into the Scandinavian King's Road. This project will reinforce links with the Baltic regions and stimulate development of programs on sustainable cooperation in tourism. It will also contribute to the integration of St. Petersburg tourist market into an international tourist space.
The City is developing a number of 

new projects to stimulate the city's cultural life and reviving traditional festivities and ceremonies. The international musical and theatre action "St. Petersburg season", scheduled for February 2000, will become one of the projects. One of the objectives is also to attract attention to St. Petersburg in winter. The soft Petersburg winter, the muted glow of the golden domes of cathedrals through the crystal patterns woven in frost, the grandeur of the Neva River trapped in ice - all this will cast the spells even on those who claim they do not like winter.
In 2003 the City is going to have its Tercentenary Celebrations. The eve of this jubilee and the beginning of the next millennium will be marked and professionals, coming to St. Petersburg will find much interest in this city.