The old Hanseatic city of Riga, now the capital of Latvia, located at the mouth of the Daugava River into the Baltic Sea, boasts a history of over 800 years. Upon closer inspection, there is reading material here from many perspectives that may not be immediately apparent to today's visitors. Various peoples, traders, ideologies, and spheres of influence have been present here; until 100 years ago, Riga was predominantly German-influenced. The texts narrate the growth and development of the city, ranging from childhood memories and everyday experiences to significant historical events. Contributions include works from Johann Gotthelf Lindner, Heinz-Jürgen Zierke, Basilius Plinius, Edzard Schaper, Herbert Kraft, Joseph Anton Christ, Elina Garanca, Johann Georg Kohl, Werner Bergengruen, Guido Heinrich Eckardt, Alberts Bels, Sergej Eisenstein, Bernhard Lamey, Käthe Köster, Aleksandrs Caks, and Vizma.