Rolands Juraševskis
1949
Choreographer, cultural scene organiser
Born 30 October 1949 in Rīga. Mastered his first dance steps in the Dzintariņš (Little Amber) folk-dance group under the guidance of Zinaida Zeltmate and in the Teachers’ Centre dance group under E. Jercuma.
Studied dance art in the Rīga Choreography High School in the class of Juris Kaprālis (1958–1960). Graduated from the University of Latvia, Faculty of Law (1979). At the same time, was acquiring folk-dancing knowledge through dancing in the Dancis folk-dance ensemble under the guidance of Uldis Žagata and Alfrēds Spura (1964–1987), and took over the directorship of the Rīga No. 1 Secondary School dance ensemble (1967–1969). Subsequently, started working as a répétiteur for the Kalve (Smithy) folk-dance ensemble (1969–1984) and later as its director.
For fifteen years, was associated with the Daile (Beauty) folk-dance group, as a dancer and organiser (1973–1986) and later its artistic director (1991–1993). Gradually became involved in the development of Rīga’s cultural scene as a specialist at the Rīga City Cultural Board (1993) and later its manager (since 1995). Since 1987, Juraševskis has been the artistic director of the Dancis folk-dance group. Over the last 20 years, the dance group, led by Juraševskis, has rarely allowed any other Latvian ensemble to gain a higher rating in dance reviews. It has performed in almost all European countries and beyond, continues to be a regular participant in dance festivals, has won global young people’s and student festival and international competitions. On how to inspire dancers, Juraševskis says: “It also definitely depends on how we as directors feel and respond to the wishes of the group. If you give them what they want, the dancers will dance and attract other participants. If you make them do things that are not of interest then nothing will happen and the dancers we have will also disappear. This is the time I want to praise my dancers’ dedication, passion, responsiveness. They learn, work, but are happy to devote time to what is close to their heart – dance.” (Kalniņa, Samanta. Director of the Dancis folk-dance group: just think how resilient the dancers are! Delfi.lv, 16 March 2016)
The choreographer has composed several new dances that have gained recognition in new-dance competitions and become popular among dancers, including Raiti, raiti rakstā dej (Faster, Faster Dance in Line), Aiz upītes jēri brēca (Lambs Bray Beyond the River) and Ventiņu kadrilis (Vents’ Quadrille).
Since 2004, Juraševskis has been the Administrative Director of the Latvian Academy of Culture. He is actively involved in the preparation and organisation of cultural events. “Everybody says we are a nation of singers. But I would like to say that we are a nation of singers and dancers. If 15 000 dancers take part in the Dance Celebration, think what that number means! I was recently asked in an interview if dancing was addictive. I replied very, very much so, but – in a positive sense: once a person has started [dancing], he cannot stop.” (Kalniņa, Samanta. Director of the Dancis folk-dance group: just think how resilient the dancers are! Delfi.lv, 16 March 2016)
A Chief choreographer at the 12th, 14th and 15th Dance Celebrations, Honorary Chief choreographer at the 17th Dance Celebration, Chief choreographer and Director-General of the Rīga-800 festival, a Chief choreographer at Gaudeamus Baltic Student Song festivals (1991, 1995, 1999 and 2004), and Chief choreographer for Rīga Centre District dance groups (1993).
