Dear Readers,
There are first times that mark a season… and others that write history. But before speaking of felines, allow me to transport you to a northern city whose winter charm alone deserves a few devoted lines.
Riga, a Baltic jewel crowned with snow-dusted rooftops and graceful Art Nouveau silhouettes, seemed lifted straight from a winter fairytale. The Daugava River, frozen solid by the cold, offered a breathtaking sight: a vast sheet of ice that I bravely crossed on foot, as though nature herself had chosen to build a fleeting bridge between the two shores. The air was crisp, the sky a crystalline blue, and the winter light cast an almost unreal glow upon the city.
It was within this enchanting setting that the Purrfect Paws CatWalk made its debut on January 31 and February 1, hosting its very first edition in Riga. A first, indeed—but what a grand entrance it was!
Admittedly, everything seemed poised to discourage the more cold-sensitive among our exhibitors: Latvia in midwinter, temperatures well below freezing… Yet this was without reckoning with the determination and talent of this young and dynamic club, enthusiastically led in part by Linda Riekstina. And as if by magic, even the elements showed kindness: radiant sunshine accompanied us throughout the weekend, transforming this northern escape into a luminous and unforgettable memory.
The show hall was set within the sumptuous Bellevue Park Hotel, whose elegance was rivaled only by the warmth of its welcome. A sparkling glass of hospitality set the tone—refinement paired with conviviality. That evening, a gourmet dinner worthy of the finest tables brought us together in a festive atmosphere, animated by a magician as lively as he was inspired, delighting us with laughter and wonder.
As for the competition, it rose magnificently to match the setting: no fewer than 95 cats were entered, including 12 majestic Maine Coons. The judges—traveling from the United States, Finland, Ukraine, Germany, Lithuania, and even the Canary Islands—had no easy task in distinguishing among such excellence.
Seven new Grands emerged from this radiant weekend, and the crowning of GC Preciousice Bada Bing Bada Boom, who also earned the prestigious DM title, added a triumphant flourish to this inaugural edition.
Let us therefore warmly congratulate:
- GC Kaw-Liga’s MOI – One Show Grand
- GC Kis’Herbas Gulliver of Lofoten
- GC Precious Ice Va Va Voom
- GC Heinroos Happy
- GC Heinroos Luna
- GC Kelmikerhon Hiljahyasintti of Deraza
- GP Nebuankhet Perfect Me, Perfect Hue
A masterful first edition, dear readers, proving that even beneath Baltic ice, feline passion burns with brilliant intensity.
Riga has captured our hearts. And one suspects it will not be the last time our steps—and our cats—tread upon its frozen shores. Mark your calendars for their Halloween Show on October 31 and November 1!
Respectfully yours,
Lord Whis(pur)down ✒️🐾
