Other events in Baltic States

The WW II Victory Day celebration at the foot of the massive monument in Riga-Pardaugava will be capped at 22.45 by a fireworks display – the only event, organizers say, with funding from the Russian Embassy, reports LETA.

Saturday's event officially gets under way at 10.00 with foreign ambassadors, politicians and Riga Mayor Nils Usakovs scheduled to ceremoniously place flowers at the monument. A number of diplomats will then deliver addresses. Usakovs' speech is scheduled for evening – at 19.00. At 18.55, a moment of silence for the war dead will be observed, immediately before the mayor's appearance.

First up on the stage entertainment-wise will be the Russian folk instrument orchestra "Slavjanje" and the "Lada" choir. They will start a full day of music and dance, with the headliner this year: Emir Kusturica and his "No Smoking Orchestra". Kusturica is scheduled for 20.00, to make way for the group DDT at 21.00.

Organizers are saying that there will be over 500 musicians and dancers performing Saturday.