Gunta Skuja
1963
Choreographer, director of dance groups
Born 8 May 1963 in Saldus. While studying at Saldus No 2 Secondary School, started dancing in the Kursa folk-dance ensemble under the guidance of Velta Lodiņa. Here her love of dance came to the fore and she took her first steps in choosing her future profession.
Studied at the Cultural and Education Workers’ Technical College (1982–1984), then continued her education at the Latvian State Conservatoire, specializing in in leading amateur dance groups (1985–1989). Boosted her knowledge of educational theory at the Institute of Pedagogical Psychology, University of Latvia (1999–2000), with a Master’s degree in Educational theory. While a student, gained experience dancing in the Dancis folk-dance ensemble (1982–1989) with Alfrēds Spura and Rolands Juraševskis.
He has led the Valle young people’s dance group in Aizkraukle District, was also artistic director of the Mārupe Cultural Centre. Since 1989, has been directing the Kalve (Smithy) folk-dance ensemble and the Mārupieši middle-generation group ensemble troupe with great success. Thanks to Skuja, Mārupieši have become one of the most famous dance ensembles in Latvia. They have participated in numerous international festivals, including the International Peony Festival in Luoyang and Beijing (2014), the 13th All-Latvian Song Festival in Milwaukee, USA (2012), the Golden Dolphin International Folk Dance Festival in Batumi, Georgia (2011), the Amasya dance festival in Turkey (2009) and many more. Significant success has also been achieved in dance competitions: 1st place in the Folk Dance Final of the 2014 Song and Dance Celebration and the Salaspils Cup (2014).
Inspired by her dancers, Skuja has created around 50 new works, many performed at Dance Celebrations. Skuja’s best-known dances are Visu dienu Jumi dzinu (I Chased Jumis All day), Metenis (Shrovetide), Ik rudeni valodiņa (Autumn language), Eņģelītis (Little Angel), Apdziedāšanās dancis (Singing dance), Malējiņa, including new-dance competition winners Dieviņš bija (God came by, 2010), Buramdancis (Mesmerizing Dance), Gričeniks, Ziemas svētki (Winter Festival) and Pērkoņdancis (Thunder-dance), recognised as the most popular dance of 2001, and others.
The talented choreographer is the folk-dance expert at the Latvian National Centre for Culture. A Chief choreographer at the 12th-17th Dance Celebrations and the Rīga-800 Festival, as well as for Jelgava City (1992-2021) and Sigulda, Saulkrasti, Adazi and Ropazi municipality (since 2021) dance groups.
On October 18, 2023, the Chapter of Orders decided to award the Cross of Recognition for special services to the Latvian state and to appoint a choreographer, dance teacher Gunta Skuja as an Officer of the Cross of Recognition.
