Jānis Purviņš
1971
Dancer, choreographer, dance educator, organiser
Born 4 June 1971 in Rīga. Graduated from Rīga’s No 4 Secondary School (now Rīga’s English High School, 1977–1989). Then studied at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, Department of Choreography, from which he graduated in 1993. In 1998, started studies at the Rīga Teacher Training and Educational Management Academy, where in 2000 gained a Master’s degree in educational theory. In 2006, received a Master’s degree in Arts from the Latvian Academy of Culture.
While still a student, had already begun directing an ensemble, teaching his schoolmates dance at Rīga’s No 4 Secondary School (1987–1990). Gained dancing experience in the Uguntiņa and Līgo groups. Led the Lelde folk-dance group (1990–1993), then worked as educator-répétiteur for the Jaunība (Youth) folk-dance group (1993–1995). In addition, was a soloist with the Daile (Beauty) State dance ensemble (1991–1997).
In 1994, Purviņš took over the directorship of the Līgo middle-generation ensemble, but in 1995 became the artistic director of the whole group. Under Purviņš’ guidance, Līgo consistently performs new dances, choreographic performances and dance programmes, which have been recognised both nationally and globally – in Latvia, Līgo is a multiple winner of new-dance competitions. Along with developing their new-dance work and craftsmanship, the members and the director of the ensemble also strive to develop other fields unrelated to the dance tradition, including the acquisition of the Latvian folk-musical heritage and the maintenance of folk-costume traditions. For the preservation of the traditions of choreography, music and oral folklore and for a significant contribution to the development of amateur movement, the folk-dance ensemble Līgo, under Purviņš’ directorship, has been awarded the Ministry of Culture Prize.
Since 1997, has been working as Senior Choreography Specialist at the Folk Art Centre. H has passed on his experience to future directors of dance groups at the Rīga Teacher Training and Educational Management Academy (1998–2003) and Daugavpils University (2002–2003). Has also taught Latvian dance at the Rīga Choreography High School (1997–1998). Since 1999, has directed the dance-group leaders’ course in the continuing education study programme at the Latvian Dance School.
Purviņš has more than 300 original choreography and folk-dance arrangements to his name, including two dance performances Zalkša līgava (The Grass-snake’s Bride, 2011) and Vēja zirgi sauli veda (The Horses of the Wind Carried the Sun, 2015). Has developed 20 choreographic performances: Sadzirdēt pavasari (Listen out for Spring, 2007), Tikai mīlestībā laime (Happiness is Only Found in Love, 2007), Danči Blusu krogā (Dancing at the Blusi Pub, 2015) and, with Jānis Ērglis and Agris Danilevičs, staged Rīga, mana baltā Rīga (Rīga, My White Rīga, 2012), Lec, saulīte (Rise, Dear Sun, 2014) and others.
Almost 50 of his dances have received prizes in new-dance competitions, including Saderīga dzīvošana (Living in Harmony, 2015), Es izkūlu rudzu riju (I Threshed all the Rye, 2015), Pūtiet guni (Blowing on the Flame, 2015), Sidrabrasa (Silvery Dew, 2015), Es redzēju visu jūru (I saw across the Whole Sea, 2017), Trīs riņķīšus dundurs grieza (The Gadfly Flew Three Loops, 2017) and Ļauj ievām noziedēt (Let the Bird-cherries Bloom, 2017).
“I would like us to be prouder of what we have – our language, our song, our dance and our national costumes. There are so many colours and variations, every parish has its own. Abroad, people are delighted and wonder how it is possible for such a small nation to have preserved everything until the 21st century. We do not even think about it here, but as soon as we get abroad, we get thunderous applause just for still speaking Latvian” emphasizes Purviņš. (Lūsiņa, Inese. Jānis Purviņš has created the Latvian dance production Zalkša līgava (The Grass-snake’s Bride). Diena.lv. 7 June 2011)
Has also achieved much as an organiser – was office manager (1999, 2002) and artistic director (2005) for the Sudmaliņas (Flour Mill) International Dance Festivals, artistic director and chief choreographer at the Zemgale Regional Dance Festivals in Bauska (2000) and Jelgava (2002), artistic director of the Middle-generation Dance Festival in Gulbene (2004); and artistic and stage director of the opening and closing concerts for the 41st European Festival of Folk Art and Culture Eiropiāde (2004).
Among Purviņš’ many publications, his themes developed for conferences: Dance as a Lifestyle and Personality Creator (2001) and Latvian Folk-dance Music – A Case Study (2000) are worthy of mention.
A Chief choreographer and Artistic Director at the 12th-17th Dance Celebrations and 8th Latvian Schools’ Song and Dance Celebration (2005), a Chief choreographer at the Rīga-800 Festival and the All-Estonian Song and Dance Celebration (Tallinn, 2004) and Chief choreographer for Bauska (1998-2021) and Limbaži (2003-2021) district, Liepaja State city and South Kurzeme municipality dance groups, and for Foreign Latvian dance collectives and clusters (since 2021).
Bearer, Order of the Three Stars (2014).
