The morning of August 21 was surprisingly enjoyable for many car drivers. Entering the city, to their surprise, instead of the traditional ‘Rīga’ sign, the city limits were adorned with the sign “O!Rīga”. Whether it was coincidence or a logical development is debatable, but a big O! had also been mown into the nearest field on the outskirts of Rīga. And people opening leading newspapers that morning were greeted by the same O! which was visible next to just about every headline. O! was everywhere – in the press, Internet, TV, radio, outdoors... O!Day had begun! The day when the O!Karte changed its appearance and idea. And people who have something to say use O!Karte. It’s a stage/ gallery for self-expression.

O!Day reached its culmination that same evening when more than 4,000 young at heart people gathered outside the Congress House to enjoy an unheard of event that was the first of its kind – the O!Karte Night Run. This event was not so much about running (distance - 4.5 km), but more about inspiration and self-expression running in the dark across Vanšu Bridge accompanied by sounds laid on by a number of popular DJ’s. It has to be said that those taking part were not short of ideas. During the run, bystanders encountered rabbits, girls in pyjamas, Tetris blocks, a running tunnel with light at the end, doctors with a bed on wheels, Chuck Norris and other characters! The evening came to a lively end thanks to performances by Gustavo and several new groups that climbed up to perform on the O!Karte stage and whose latest music videos have been produced with support from O!Karte!

O!Karte’s is beginning to come to life. Evidence of this can be seen in the form of the O!Karte homepage: www.okarte.lv to which almost 2,000 works were submitted over a two week period. And also the first video in Latvia to use passport data from draugiem.lv. Here’s wishing O!Karte’s new idea endurance and a long life!

O! Almost forgot the most important -  huge thanks to our integrated team - DDB, Nords Porter Novelli, NECom, CUBE and Tritone!