From Baltic forests to the stages of the world – birch plywood produced by Latvijas Finieris
12.07.2025
When attending a theatre performance, a concert or an open-air festival, apart from the artistic quality, we most often appreciate the sound, light, air quality, atmosphere, and stage design, which, together with the content of the event, give us emotions, experience or adventure. But we rarely think about what makes this experience possible – the materials and technologies that are nowadays so closely integrated in almost every field.
Underneath every building, structure or scenography, there is an invisible part that is often more important than the result that the eye can see and appreciate. It’s a structure that provides security, stability and functionality, often with a unique solution. For decades, birch plywood solutions, including products manufactured by Latvijas Finieris, have become indispensable in various industries: construction, air, water, rail, and road transport. In finishing and carpentry, including cultural and sports infrastructure, this unique and versatile material also reveals its unique properties to the fullest. Stage systems, floors, acoustic and decorative panels, stage design elements – these are just some of the possibilities. The advantages of birch plywood solutions are demonstrated by their excellent physical and mechanical properties, as well as their visual appeal. The material is easy to handle and adjust, which is important for movable elements that need to be assembled many times. Birch plywood is chosen because it combines high durability with an aesthetic finish. Therefore, it is so widely used in concert halls, sports facilities and theatre design.
The birch plywood produced by Latvijas Finieris, globally known under the brand name Riga Wood, can be proud of several projects in which, while not playing the “main role”, it is an important part of the overall project concept or solution. In Latvia, almost none of the cultural buildings, especially those built in the last decade, have been built without the use of wood solutions, including birch plywood. This year, as in previous years, Riga Wood birch plywood produced by Latvijas Finieris is an integral and important part of the stage design of the Song and Dance Festival. At Daugava Stadium, this durable material is used for the stage design stands and other elements. Also, at the Mežaparks Great Stage, especially for this celebration, new platforms for the conductors have been created, and plywood will ensure the durability of the stage. But the biggest pride is the Silver Grove with the unique clarity and resonance of sound, which allows every note, every word, to ring out with power and depth – as if the place were made for it. This is made possible by acoustic shields created from Baltic birch plywood. A miniature of the Silver Grove will be on display in Vērmane Garden during the festival, where other reusable environmental objects have also been created for the workshops. Whereas, in Ķīpsala, a mountain made of birch plywood was an element of the set on which the participants danced.
The Mežaparks Great Bandstand is among the biggest bandstands in the world. On stage, it can accommodate approximately 13,000 choristers, while in the auditorium, there are more than 30,000 seats. The specially designed stage comprises 510 three-dimensional acoustic panels of different sizes.
In Latvia, birch plywood has long since proven its place in cultural infrastructure. In Mērsrags, Preiļi, Ķekava, and many other regions, open-air stages have been built with Riga Heksa Plus and Riga Tex plywood – these are durable coatings that perform well in different weather conditions. The plywood used at the festival Ezera skanas at Lake Kala helps to create a platform for outdoor art, while at Bīriņu Palace, a mobile floor made of grey Riga Heksa Plus is used for summer events – it is only installed for the festival and then dismantled. Private clients also often use Riga Tex plywood trimmings to create individual stages or floors for their events.
The stage flooring in Mītava Concert Hall is made of grey Riga Heksa Plus, while the acoustic panels are made of Riga Preprime. The Ulbroka multifunctional centre, known as the Pearl of Ulbroka, has milled wall panels manufactured by Riga Decor. They not only improve the acoustics of the room but also give it a visually sophisticated look.
Riga Wood plywood, produced by Latvijas Finieris, has also served as a structural and visual basis for exhibition design, including for the exhibition at the Venice Biennale of Architecture and Art. Its aesthetic simplicity, natural texture and physical-mechanical properties make it ideal for exhibition stands, art installations and spatial constructions requiring both elegance and practicality.
Considering the fact that more than 90% of Riga Wood products are exported to 56 countries, it is worth mentioning that we can also boast exclusive flooring solutions in prestigious concert halls worldwide. Several world-renowned celebrities are known to have stepped onto and performed on a stage made from Baltic-grown birch plywood solutions. Riga Wood products are also used in exhibition centres, theatres and mobile stage platforms in Germany, Japan, the USA, and the United Arab Emirates. They are also increasingly chosen by high-end interior designers and architects.
