1914–1989
Choreographer, educator
One of the most outstanding Latvian stage-dance masters in post-war Latvia.
Born 8 July 1914 in Rīga. Graduated from Rīga’s No 11 Elementary School (1928), then studied at the Rīga City School of Commerce (1928–1932) and attended Helēna Tangijeva-Birzniece’s Ballet Studio, then the Sam-Hior Univerity of Body Techniques and Beatrise Vīgnere’s School of Plastic.
1920–1991
Ballet dancer, choreographer, educator
Founder and developer of Latvia’s children’s folk-dance ensemble traditions.
Zinaīda Zeltmate (Dondukova) was born in Tyumen, Siberia on 2 October 1920, but returned to Rīga with her family in December 1920. She learned the fundamentals of dance in Beatrise Vīgnere’s rhythmic courses, but at the age of 14 began her studies at the Helēna Tangijeva-Birzniece Ballet School (1941–1944). After graduation, danced at the Opera and Ballet Theatre and the Rīga Operetta Theatre (1944–1949).