Riga resident: Light Castle's potential still underused, social media debate shows
A social media discussion has emerged over whether Latvia's National Library building, known as the Light Castle, is being used to its full potential. Opinions online are divided between criticism of underuse and defenses citing funding shortages and ongoing events.
A discussion has unfolded on the platform Threads about how the Light Castle — the building of the National Library of Latvia — is being used. A user named Līna wrote that whenever she drives past the building, she feels disappointed that it has become, in her words, an "empty grey block," when it could instead serve as a vibrant cultural space hosting concerts, discussion clubs, classes, and even a quiet place to study late at night before exams.
Differing views
Other users joined the conversation with contrasting perspectives. A user named Evija pointed to the broader issue of state funding allocation, arguing that the culture sector and the Ministry of Culture receive far less support than fields like defense or STEM, while library staff already earn low wages. In her view, maintaining such a large building is costly, and as long as cultural institutions remain underfunded, their accessibility will stay limited.
Meanwhile, a user named Liene pushed back, noting that the library actually hosts many events — both paid and free — sometimes drawing more than a thousand visitors. She recalled an occasion several years ago when attendance was so high that security staff grew visibly concerned about crowd control.
Another user, Ingrīda, suggested a new way to bring more life to the building: organizing meetups where people could gather at the National Library to discuss books they've read.
About the building
The Light Castle opened its doors in 2014 and quickly became one of Riga's most recognizable architectural landmarks. The idea of building a dedicated home for the National Library dates back to the 1920s, but the project was debated for decades over its cost and necessity before finally being completed.
