Elmārs Belinskis
1961–2016
Educator, choreographer
Born 11 June 1961 in Daugavpils. Studied dance under I. Ancāne with the Daugavpils District Cultural Centre dance group and under the guidance of R. Ērmane and répétiteur A. Stahovskis with the Laima (Goddess of Fate) students’ dance group.
Graduated from the Daugavpils Teachers’ Institute Faculty of Physics and Mathematics (1979–1984) and the Daugavpils Teachers’ University Pre-school and Primary School Faculty with a Master’s degree in Education (1998–2000).
While working as a mathematics teacher at Kalupe Elementary School, Belinskis directed the school’s dance group (1984–1989). Later became the Senior Specialist at the Daugavpils District Cultural Department (1989–1991). At his own initiative, founded the Dance Department at Daugavpils Teachers’ University and became its Director and a teacher of Latvian dance (1993–2003).
In 1985, Belinskis took over the directorship of Daugavpils Teachers’ University Laima students’ dance group. As a result of his pedagogical skills, Laima staged ambitious and interesting dance performances – Rāmi, rāmi (Gently, Gently, 1994) and Riti, Riti (Let’s go, Let’s go, 1997), Nekur nav tik labi kā mājās (Nowhere is as good as home, 2003) and others. As part of the Četri meti (Four Wefts) performance for the Rīga-800 festival, his Laima presented the vibrant performance Pie Dieviņa gari galdi (God Serves at Long Tables).
“The way that Laima dances – with Latgalian soul, taste and smell – no one else in Latvia dances. Many dances by Elmārs and Jānis Butkevičs, including Rūžeņa, (Beautiful Girl) and Lobs bej puika myusu Jezups (Our Joseph was a Good Lad) were in the Song Celebration repertoire, but only Laima was able to dance these dances in their particular way ... He and choreographer Jānis Butkevičs created dances that attested that Laima has its own face. Elmārs was not afraid to take risks ... If Laima was dancing folk dances, they were breathing Latgalian air. That’s why the audience enjoyed Laima and the ensemble’s concerts took place in crowded halls” says Renāte Ermane, former director of the Laima ensemble. (Jonāne, Egita Terēze. Elmārs gave himself to Laima completely. Latgaleslaiks.lv. 12 August 2016)
The choreographer created many new works that have been danced at Dance Celebrations, including Latgaliešu dancis, Kumeliņš (Colt), Dzīsme, Tiš, koktā and Pērtiņš. Was active in shaping the cultural scene in Daugavpils – was assistant director of the Daugavpils District Song and Dance Festival (1985, 1987) and artistic director of the Daugavpils City Song and Dance Festival (1998).
A Chief choreographer at the 13th Dance Celebration and Chief choreographer for Daugavpils city dance groups (1993–2000).
Ministry of Culture Laureate (1995).
