Of the twenty composers alive in 1944 whose music had been performed at Song Festivals, half found themselves in exile in 1945: Ādolfs Ābele, Jānis Cīrulis, Volfgangs Dārziņš, Jānis Kalniņš, Jānis Mediņš, Jānis Norvilis, Harijs Ore, Valdemārs Ozoliņš, Jēkabs Poruks and Jāzeps Vītols. Other musicians, later to be influential in the Latvian exile cultural environment, also left: Viktors Baštiks, Haralds Berino, Ērika Freimane, Tikla Ilstere, Alberts Jērums, Arnolds Kalnājs, Kārlis Lietiņš, Voldemārs Linde, Helmers Pavasars, Bruno Skulte, Leonīds Slaucītājs, Eduards Šēnfelds and Tālivaldis Ķeniņš. Some of them also became prominent musicians in their countries of refuge. They were joined also by one of the Chief Conductors of the Festivals in the 1920s and 1930s – Teodors Reiters, who lived in Sweden after WWII – and by the Conductor of the Latvian Radio Orchestra, Oļģerts Bištēviņš, who was a refugee in Argentina.

In the first years after the end of WWII, most refugees were housed in Displaced Person camps in Germany. The concentration of so much musical and cultural energy in the camps led to an upsurge of musical activity, which continued as people dispersed to new countries. The development of choral singing in many towns and cities of the diaspora was fueled by a desire to keep memories of the songs and celebrations of pre-war independent Latvia.

“Cel mani, dziesma, cel aizmūžiem pāri, –
Tālu aiz jūrām dus dzintaru krasts.
Cel mani, dziesma, cel gadsimtiem pāri,
Kāpās, kur viršu zilganums vāri
Plīvo, svešumā neatrasts.”

“Uplift me, song, carry me across eternity, –
An amber shore slumbers far beyond the seas.
Uplift me, song, carry me across centuries,
To dunes where the blush of heather delicately
Flutters, unknown in a strange land.”

(From the cantata Cel mani, dziesma (Uplift Me, Song) by Jānis Kalniņš. Libretto: Ingrīda Vīksna)

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Days of Song in Germany, in displaced persons camps. The First Song Festival in Esslingen

1st Franconia region Latvian Day of Song in Fischbach, 28-30 June 1946

Chairman of the organising committee – Jēkabs Poruks. Honorary chief conductor – Ādolfs Ābele. Chief conductors: Arnold Kalnājs, Jānis Ūdris, Ferdinands Valdmanis. The main choir concert took place on a specially built stage in the Fischbach camp’s pine grove. 650 singers took part with an audience of 5 000 people. The parade of choirs at this festival was particularly significant: “The first such parade in exile through Fischbach became unforgettable. Although the soil of a foreign land was under our feet, our national flags fluttering in the southern German sun and wind, folk costumes gleaming in all possible colours and the singers proudly raising their heads showed that these exiles, abandoned to fate, still maintained the image of an eternal Latvia before them and neither enemies nor the envious could take that away from them.” (Bērzkalns, Valentīns. Latvian Song Festivals in Exile. 1968, p 30) Main events: Productions of the play Ķīnas vāze (The Chinese Vase, Mārtiņš Zīverts) by the Mercfeld Latvian camp and the play Ļaunais gars (Evil Spirit, Rūdolfs Blaumanis) by the Fischbach Latvian camp, a Latvian literature hour, an applied-art exhibition, sports displays. “It is not in a Latvian’s nature to be carried away into oblivion at a carnival, to delight in the giant arenas of bullfighting and boxing, but in summer, in every Latvian district, one can hear songs rustling through birch groves, and Latvians listened to the magic of this rustling. In song, they carried this rustling into strange lands, alongside their hearts. After two years of exile, this is the first attempt to get Latvians to call to each other in a miniature form, within one region and, as a small illusion, for one day not to feel devoid of personality, but to be a nation with its own standing, traditions and values.” (Poruks, Jēkabs. Franconia region Latvian Day of Song in Fischbach bei Nürnberg, 28-30 June 1946. pp 3–4)

2nd Franconia region Latvian Day of Song in Bayreuth, 7 July 1946

Chairman of the organising committee – Jēkabs Poruks. Honorary chief conductor – Ādolfs Ābele. Chief conductors: Arnolds Kalnājs, Jānis Ūdris, Ferdinands Valdmanis. The main concert took place at the Richard Wagner Festspielhaus, the main venue of Bayreuth’ s Wagner Festival. 400 singers took part with an audience of some 1 500 people.

3rd Franconia region Latvian Day of Song in Ansbach, 20-21 July 1946

Chairman of the Franconia region organising committee – Jēkabs Poruks. Chairman of the Ansbach organising committee – Ludvigs Rozentāls, vice-chairman – Kārlis Romaševskis. Honorary chief conductor – Ādolfs Ābele. Chief conductors: Arnolds Kalnājs, Jānis Ūdris, Ferdinands Valdmanis. Velta Freivalde, director of the local choir, also conducted at the Ansbach Day of Song. The main choir concert of took place in the open air in the Castle park. 600 singers performed for an audience of 5 000 people. The combined-choir concert was introduced by a parade that began at the local Latvian camp in the Hindenburg barracks. Main events: exhibition of applied art, ethnography and paintings, sacred music concert, performance of the play Trīnes grēki (Trīne’s Sins, Rūdolfs Blaumanis), sports competitions.

4th Franconia region Latvian Day of Song in Eichstadt, 4 August 1946

Chairman of the organising committee of the Franconia Day of Song – Jēkabs Poruks. Chairman of the Eichstadt Latvian Day of Song organising committee – Ludvigs Rozentāls, deputy chairman – Kārlis Romaševskis. Honorary chief conductor – Ādolfs Ābele. Chief conductors: Arnolds Kalnājs, Jānis Ūdris, Ferdinands Valdmanis. Jānis Puisēns, director of the Eichstadt choir, also conducted. 700 singers took part in the main concert with an audience of 7 000 people. The combined choir concert was introduced by a parade. Main events: concert by the Dzimtene (Homeland) quartet, performance of the play Nebrauc tik dikti (Slow Down, Jānis Lejiņš), sports competitions.

5th Franconia region Latvian Day of Song in Augsburg, 24-25 August 1946

Chairman of the organising committee of the Franconia Day of Song – Jēkabs Poruks. Chairman of the Augsburg Latvian Day of Song organising committee – Oto Krolls, Vice-chairs – Ž. Upīte, A. Šrāders. Honorary chief conductor – Ādolfs Ābele. Chief conductors: Arnolds Kalnājs, Jānis Ūdris, Ferdinands Valdmanis. Jānis Grebežs, Hansis Lespa and Alberts Linde, directors of local Augsburg choirs, also conducted. The main choir concert took place on the open-air stage of the old Augsburg castle (Freilichtspiel am Roten Tor). 500 singers took part with an audience of 4 000 people. Main events: Baltic brass-band concert, performance of the play Labāki cilvēki (Better People, Anšlavs Eglītis), Latvian People’s university exhibition, sports demonstrations and competitions.

Elbe region Latvian Day of Song at Geeschstadt near Hamburg, 30 June 1946

The Saules (Sun) camp, lead by commandant Nikolajs Ošiņš, formed the organising committee. Chief conductors: Eduards Ramats, Daumants Vītols and Roberts Zuika. 300 singers took part in the main choir concert with an audience of 5 000 people. The combined choir concert was introduced by a parade of participants. The Saule camp also put on a review of the year’s Latvian works.

State of Greater Hesse Latvian Day of Song at Hanau near Mainz (Hanau region Latvian Day of Song), 27 October 1946

Organising committee chairman – A. Ogriņš. Chief conductors: Ernests Brusubārdis, Pauls Kunstmanis and Meta Krišjāne-Vīgnere. 360 singers took part in the main choir concert with an audience of 2 500 people. There was also a separate sacred music concert and an exhibition featuring some 60 painters and craftspeople.

Esslingen Song Festival, 23-25 May 1947

From the very beginning of the period of exile, Esslingen was one of the most active centres of Latvian culture. Chairman of the organising committee – Jānis Labsvīrs. Honorary chief conductor – Ādolfs Ābele. Chief conductors: Jānis Austrums, Pēteris Banders, Jānis Dūmiņš, Haralds Lindemanis. The closing concert took place at a sports ground on the banks of the river Neckar, using the grandstand as the stage. 1 000 singers participated in the main choir concert. The closing concert started with a parade from the people’s school. Main events: concert by the Tēvija (Fatherland) double quartet, an exhibition of the artists’ association, crafts’ association, artisan union and home-economics section, symphonic music concert, writers’ morning, Esslingen Latvian theatre performance of Minhauzena precības (Munchausen’s Wedding, Mārtiņš Zīverts).

Day of Song commemorating the 75th anniversary of the 1st All-Latvian Song Festival, at Fischbach near Nuremberg, Bavaria, 25-28 June 1948

Chairman of the organising committee – Ādolfs Ābele. Chief conductors: Ādolfs Ābele, Arnolds Kalnājs, Pēteris Banders. The main choir concert took place on a specially built platform. 680 singers performed to an audience of 5-6 000 people. Before the commemorative day of song, in February of the same year, the Latvian Committee for the Bavaria Region announced a composers’ competition for choral songs. This was the first time such a competition took place in exile – 12 authors participated with 42 works. First prize was awarded to Jānis Kalniņš for his mixed choir song Pirmā nakts (First Night, lyrics by Zinaida Lazda) and the male choir song Pavasara dienas (Spring Days, lyrics by Jānis Rainis). Jānis Norvilis was awarded 2nd prize for the mixed choir song Laiks (Time, lyrics by Kārlis Skalbe) and 3rd prize went to Viktors Baštiks for his male choir song Kā sniegi (Like Snow, lyrics by Jānis Jaunsudrabiņš). In total, 14 songs won awards and were subsequently published in the collection Fourteen Songs. Main events: On 25 June, an hour of music by Jāzeps Vītols was performed at the Valka camp theatre, honouring the composer’s lifelong contribution to the development of Latvian music (Jāzeps Vītols had passed away on 24 April 1948); Fischbach, Würzburg and Augsburg theatre-company performances: Vecais pilskungs (Lord of the Manor, Elīna Zālīte and Augusts Deglavs), Ozolnieka meita (Ozolnieks’ Daughter, Minna Dišlere), Vilks Rīgā (A Wolf in Rīga, Teodors Zeltiņš), Meitene ar raksturu (The Girl with Character, Ģirts Salnais), Kāds, kura nav (Someone not There, Mārtinš Ziverts); a writers’ afternoon; an exhibition of works by painters and craftspeople; several screenings of the refugee film Kas mēs esam (Who We Are); football matches and a parade of the Viesturs guards’ company; folk costume awards. Jēkabs Poruks, chairman of the festival executive committee, said: “But there is no way we cannot celebrate this day, utilising the 75th aniversary of the song festival as a symbol. We owe this celebration to our own human dignity at a time that it is most under threat. On this day, we want to relate to each other in the blooded voices of our forefathers, in Latvian song that calls to us through centuries: stand and bear it, remain who you are, then you will triumph. This is not meant for anyone else, because we know how little such demonstrations mean. If only this day would become a boundary for ourselves, the threshold of our inner rebirth, if only it would awaken not only the memories of the past, but the true forces of humanity for our new lives. If the older generation has not been destined to experience that, then at least it can have the selfless fortune to become the seed that falls to the earth and generates new growth. This growth will build our land and state, and in this sacrosanct conviction we say: God Bless Latvia!” (Bērzkalns, Valentīns. Day of Song commemorating the 75th anniversary of the 1st All-Latvian Song Festival, Fischbach Latvian Camp near Nuremberg, Bavaria, 27 June, 1948). p 5)

Day of Song commemorating the 75th anniversary of the 1st All-Latvian Song Festival, in North Germany, Lübeck, 24-25 July 1948

Chairman of the organising committee – Jānis Rudzītis. Chief conductors: Helmers Pavasars, Eduards Ramats, Roberts Zuika. The main choir concert took place at the Mēzene camp sports hall. The choir of 400 sang to an audience of 2 000 people. Main events: A concert dedicated to the 85th anniversary of composer Jāzeps Vītols took place at the Lübeck Latvian Theatre (Jāzeps Vītols had passed away in Lübeck on 24 April 1948); performance of the play Brīnumzālīte (The Miracle Cure, Rūdolfs Blaumanis).

Day of Song commemorating the 75th anniversary of the 1st All-Latvian Song Festival, in Glasenbach, Austria, 11 July 1948

By 1948, only 2 000 Latvians still remained in Austria. Chairman of the organising committee – O. Siktārs. Two choirs participated, led by conductors A. Vasariņš and O. Liepa.

Commemoration of the Ist Latvian Song Festival in Hanau, 17 September 1948

Four choirs participated, led by conductors Ernests Brusubārdis, Juris Dzegūze, Tikla Ilstere and Meta Muižarāja-Vīgnere.

Commemoration of the Ist Latvian Song Festival in Rottweil, 7 November 1948

Chief conductors: Jānis Austrums, Jānis Dūmiņš, Tikla Ilstere. 150 singers took part in the main concert with an audience of 500 people. The event also included a writers’ hour and the local theatre company’s production of Jaunsaimnieka līgava (The Settler’s Bride, Evelīna Grāmatniece (Sibilla)).

I Latvian Song Days in Germany, Stuttgart, 24-26 September 1976

The main organizer of the Song Days – Pastor Elmārs Ernests Rozītis; the music director – composer Longīns Apkalns. The main venues were the Hospitalhof Great Hall and the Stiftskirche church in Stuttgart. Main events – United Choir Concert, Folklore Evening, Youth Song and Dance Concert, Ecumenical Service and Festive Ball. The Folklore Evening gathered about 600 listeners, the joint concert about 800 listeners, but about 500 participants rejoiced at the closing ball. The festival was attended by choirs from the German cities of Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hanover, Cologne, Memmingen, Münster, Oldenburg, as well as participants from Australia. The uplifting mood of the holiday is reflected in the publication Latvija no. 36 (02.10.1976):The ecumenical power, the solo and choir singing uplifted the service. In the joint concert "Latvia", the national anthem sounded as it should sound, the concert itself ended with Alfrēds Kalniņš Mēs gribam būt kungi (We shall be the kings). And for an impromptu rehearsal at the ball, the ladies and gentlemen dressed in festive clothes suddenly got up to sing – Gaismas pils (The Castle of Light)!

II Latvian Song Days in Germany, Munich, 5-7 June 1981

P. Biezais, Chairman of the Song Days Steering Committee. The main venues were the Munich House of Artists and St. Matthew's Church. Main events – Writers’ Symposium, a production of R. Blaumanis’ play "Zagļi" (Thieves), youth concert "Raibais vakars", festive service, combined choir concert, G. Graudiņš’ exhibition of Latvian cultural and historical objects, A. Spurdziņš’ photography exhibition, and the closing ball. The concert of the combined choirs took place under the direction of chief conductors M. Opeskin, Z. Āboliņš, M. Zandbergs and M. Dreimanis, with the participation of 120 singers from the German cities of Munich, Hamburg, Hanover, Cologne, Münster, Oldenburg, as well as guests from London. A total of 650 participants took part in the events, which were attended by one and a half thousand people.

Commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the Esslingen Song Festival, 16-18 June 2017

Main coordinator – Laura Putāne, assistant coordinator – Karīna Cīglere. The extensive three-day programme featured 700 members of 33 Latvian groups from 11 countries and Esslingen residents and guests were able to experience, just as 70 years previously, the richness of Latvian culture – songs, dances, theatre, cinema, crafts, traditional singing and dancing. Before the opening ceremony, the festival parade took place, with Latvian flags fluttering and songs resounding through the streets of Esslingen, where Latvians once lived and worked. The parade ended at the city’s market square.

Main events: performance by the Gaujiena creative group A Meeting with Jāzeps Vītols; dance groups performing in different parts of the city; combined choir concert; grand dance performance; launch of Ligita Kovtuna’s book Memories of Esslingen; Dzelzs Vilks (Iron Wolf), the Liepupe Male Ensemble and London Latvian group Austrumkalns played at the festival ball; viewers were delighted by Latvian folklore groups from both Latvia and other countries, and male choirs Dziedonis (Minstrel) and Gaudeamus invited them to a joint concert, at the end of which the choirs and audience joined in once again singing the moving Saule, Pērkons, Daugava (Sun, Thunder, Daugava), with composer Mārtinš Brauns at the piano. The festival programme also included a screening of Dzintra Geka’s documentary Dieva putniņi (Birds of God) in the presence of the director; a Latvian craftspeople’s market was in full swing and in the evenings, the special festival tavern Rīgas Runcis (Tomcat) welcomed all. The Esslingen City Museum hosted the Latvians in Esslingen 1947 exhibition about Latvians’ lives here in the 1940s. The exhibition was created using materials from the Latvian National Archives. The festival culmination – a performance of the musical Esslingen, a story of exiled Latvians, which, was prepared over a period of nine months by 60 Latvians from seven countries, under the direction of Jānis Mūrnieks. The musical’s composer Lolita Ritmane, who lives in the US, introduced the musicical, but before the performance, the more than 900 spectators filling the city concert hall honored the memory of Alberts Legzdiņš, creator of the Esslingen concept.

Source: Latvian song and dance festival, 70th Anniversary of the Esslingen Song Festival, completes its ambitious programme in Germany. Esslingen creative team. 2017–2018 https://www.esslingen2017.de

Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Esslingen Song Festival

Text not available in English.

With the arrival of the Western Allies in Germany, cultural and social activities, previously suppressed, were revitalised in Latvian refugee camps. Those who had considered free thought and speech to be unthinkable crimes were now gone. Latvians could again think and speak freely, and build their own lives.

Cultural events began to take place. In many camps choirs and vocal ensembles had been formed, so that on 18 November 19451, the 27th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in Latvia, there were virtually no Latvian communities in Germany where songs were not heard.

The first exile days of songs2 were held in the British, American and French occupied zones in Germany in 1946. These days of song can be divided into three groups by region – Franconia region Latvian Days of Song, the Elbe region Latvian Day of Song and the State of Greater Hesse Day of Song. They were followed by the Esslingen Song Festival and events commemorating the Ist All-Latvian Song Festival in various cities. In total, some 13 Latvian combined-choir3 events took place in Germany in the three post-war years (1946-1948). Lalita Muižniece’s memories of the first exile song festival in Fischbach: “So, what to do at these camps? There wasn’t actually much to do. There was no work [refugees did not have to work on a regular basis, just help in the camp kitchen, cleaning work, etc. ] and people had the time and the desire to engage in cultural activities, to sing and play. To put on plays. Take up handicrafts. All the camps had handicraft circles, groups, instructing. And schools were immediately founded everywhere, so the children did not get to laze around.” (Song. Festivals. Life. Stories about Latvian song festivals abroad.” Latvians Abroad Museum and Research Centre, 2015. p 55)

The last event in the German region took place in 2022, when the 75th anniversary of the Esslingen Song Festival was celebrated with an ambitious event in Esslingen itself.  

1 The anniversary of Latvia’s declaration of independence

2 Days of songs, see Glossary of Terms

3 Combined or massed choir, see Glossary of Terms

Latvian Days of Song in England

Ist Latvian Days of Song in England, London, 17-19 June 1949

Honorary Chairman of the organising committee – Kārlis Zariņš, Chairman – Alberts Jērums. Chief conductors: Alberts Jērums, Viktors Baštiks and Daumants Vītols. The main choir concert took place at Kingsway Hall. There were 400 singers with an audience of 2 000 people. Main events: Jāzeps Vītols Evening at the Chelsea Hall; Bīstamais vecums (A Dangerous Age, Elīna Zālīte), a comedy perfomed by the Bradford dramatic group; screenings of the documentary Kas mēs esam (Who We Are). Kārlis Zariņš, the Latvian Ambassador5 and Honorary Chairman of the organising committee: “The oldest and strongest tradition of the Latvian people has always been song. We all know the saying “Dziedot dzimu, dziedot augu, dziedot mūžu nodzīvoju (I was Born Singing, I Grew up Singing, I Lived my Life Singing)” from our childood and it is indeed accurate. Latvians have expressed their joys and sorrows in song. Now too, when living in exile, we do not forget this tradition and gather together in a united family of song, so that, with Latvian songs, we call to each other to return to our homeland – Free Latvia.” (Latvian Days of Song in England: London, 17, 18, 19 June 1949; Leeds, 23, 24 July 1949. p 3) A concert reprising the June London Days of Song was held in Leeds on 23-24 July. The reasoning was that London was too far to travel for Latvians living in England’s Midlands and North. These days of song are called a reprise of the Ist Latvian Days of Song in England. The programme and participants are the same as in London. The main choir concert took place at the Leeds Town Hall and was attended by 2 000 people. During the Days of Song, the play Zagļi (The Thieves, Rūdolfs Blaumanis) was performed by the Bradford dramatic group.   5 The United Kingdom did not officially recognise the Soviet annexation of the Baltic States, consequently ambassadors retained their position

IInd Latvian Days of Song in England, Leicester 17-18 June 1950

Honorary Chairman of the organising committee – Kārlis Zariņš, Chairman of the executive committee – Ērika Sarkanbārde. Chief conductors: Alberts Jērums, Viktors Baštiks, Daumants Vītols and Alma Skudra-Kārkliņa. Leicester has been geographically advantageous for all the Latvians living in England because it is half way between London and Leeds. The main choir concert was held in the De Montfort Hall, with 400 singers taking part. Main events: ballet afternoon; a new works’ concert and a concert of Latvian music, with the Leicester folk dance group participating in the finale. Kārlis Zariņš, Latvian Ambassador and Honorary Chairman of the organising committee, addressed England’s Latvian activists as follows: “Warmest greetings to our singing community, and to those who open our bright treasure chest of songs, and to those who, having travelled to Leicester from every part of Britain, will appreciate these uncovered treasures and store them in their hearts. So, from generation to generation, this Latvian song chest has been the living link that binds us in a united family. Song has been a trustworthy companion of the Latvian people, both in happy and unhappy times. We have now been walking the uneven roads of exile for ten years. We have lost much, but not our Latvian heart and song.” (Latvian Days of Song in England organising committee. Latvian Days of Song in England: 17-18 June 1950 in Leicester. 1950) The Leicester Days of Song were reprised in London on 22-23 July of the same year. They were organised by the Latvian Society in Great Britain with the London Latvian Choir. The choir concert took place in Brompton’s St. Trinity Church. The combined choir featured 140 singers with an audience of 1 000 people. The conductors were Alberts Jērums, Alma Skudra-Kārkliņa and Roberts Zuika. Main events: an evening of new works; performance of the play Trīnes grēki (Trīne’s Sins, Rūdolfs Blaumanis); writer Jānis Zanders gave a lecture on the psychology of exile; the closing event was at the Hammersmith Town Hall, featuring the choir concert and nine folk dances by the London Latvian folk-dance group.

IIIrd Latvian Days of Song in England, London, 27-29 July 1951

Honorary Chairman of the organising committee – Kārlis Zariņš, Chairman – Alberts Jērums. Chief conductors: Teodors Reiters, Alberts Jērums, Roberts Zuika. This festival is important because a competition for choral and solo songwriters is announced, attracting 12 composers with 36 works. 1st prize for choral works was awarded to composer Tālivaldis Ķeniņš for his mixed choir song Svešie dārzi (Strange Gardens, lyrics by Veronika Strēlerte), 2nd prize was awarded to composer Jānis Norvilis for the songs Abavmalā (On the Banks of the Abava, lyrics by Velta Sniķere) and Pie sētiņas (At the Fence, lyrics by Jānis Ezeriņš). 1st prize for solo songs was awarded to composer Alberts Jērums for the works Miega dziesma (Sleeping Song) and Piedod man (Forgive Me, lyrics by Veronika Strēlerte), while 2nd prize went to Tālivaldis Ķeniņš for his work Tālā dārza putns (Bird in the Far Garden, lyrics by Zinaīda Lazda). Jāzeps Vītols Foundation prizes were awarded for the first time during the festival. They were received by Tālivaldis Ķeniņš, commissioned with writing a piano trio, and Helmers Pavasars for his works composed in exile. The main choir concert took place at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall, 440 singers taking part with an audience of 5 000 people. Other events: an evening of Latvian songs at the Wigmore Hall; concert of instrumental works at the Kingsway Hall; performance of the play Cenzūra (Censorship, Mārtiņš Zīverts); writers’ evening; folk-dance competition; basketball games. Works by the painter Valdemārs Tone, were exhibited at the Kensington Gallery during the festival, and Tone also headed the folk-costume competition. This was the first time that such a competition is mentioned during exile song festivals. The winner of the main prize – Londoner M. Bērziņa – won a trip to Switzerland. This festival also had reprise concerts in autumn of the same year in Leicester (30 September) and Bradford (27 October). The Leicester concert took place at the Cooperative Hall. Chief conductors – Viktors Baštiks and Arvīds Purvs. The Bradford concert was held at the Eastbrook Hall, home of the local Methodist Church. 170 singers took part with an audience of 2 000 people. Chief conductors were Jānis Barušs, Andrejs Pommers, A. Tiģeris and Daumants Vītols.

The next major event in England was the Commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the 1st All-Latvian Song Festival in London, 2-4 October 1953.

Chairman of the organising committee – Augusts Abakuks. The celebratory concert was held in the Archway Hall. 157 singers took part with an audience of 1 000 people. Conductors were Roberts Zuika and Alberts Jērums. Main events: concert by singer Ksenija Bidiņa and pianist Daina Šillere; performance of The Play at the Castle (Ferenc Molnár); exhibitions of works by young artists and craftspeople.

IVth Latvian Days of Song in England, Manchester, 10-11 July 1954

Honorary Chairman of the organising committee – Kārlis Zariņš, Chairman – Andrejs Pommers. Chief conductors: Alberts Jērums, Daumants Vītols, Roberts Zuika and Andrejs Pommers. The main concert took place in the Free Trade Hall. The choir of 189 sang to an audience of 2 000 people. Main events: basketball games; Latvian singing evening; performance of the play Svētki Skangalē (Celebration in Skangale, Edvards Vulfs); writers’ morning; book and handicraft exhibition and Latvian stamp display. Andrejs Pommers, chairman of the IVth Latvian Days of Song organising committee, said: “As we gather for the Days of Song in west England’s cultural centre in Manchester, we will rise above our everyday lives and the fate of exile. May song clarify things for us and give us strength, because we sing for Latvia.” (Fourth Latvian Days of Song in England: 10 and 11 July 1954, p 5) The reprise for this festival took place in Leicester on 28 August. Chairman – Kārlis Ampermanis. Chief conductors: Roberts Zuika, Alberts Jērums and Arvīds Purvs. The concert took place at the Edward Wood Hall, with a choir of 140 singers and an audience of more than 500 people.

Vth Latvian Days of Song in England, Leicester 12-13 July 1958, in parallel with the 85th anniversary of the Ist All-Latvian Song Festival

Honorary Chairman of the organising committee – Kārlis Zariņš, Chairman – Kārlis Ampermanis. Chief conductors: Alberts Jērums, Roberts Zuika, Andrejs Pommers and Helmers Pavasars. The main choir concert took place in the De Montfort Hall. The choir consisted of 250 singers with an audience of 2 200 people. The concert was enriched by folk dance demonstrations by Leeds folk dance group Kamoliņš6. Main events: exhibition of paintings and crafts; Trīnes grēki (Trīne’s Sins, Rudolfs Blaumanis) performed by Corby Latvians; new works’ concert; writers’ morning. Kārlis Zariņš, Chairman of the organising committee: “This era of exile is full of struggle and grim experiences. We must not lose heart here, but keep our national spirit alive and vigilant. That is how our ancestors understood the meaning of their lives. We also have the same thoughts, the same mood. This is our nation’s wealth. By maintaining this spirit of national unity, it will be easier for us to await the moment when the Latvian people, once again united, will regain their sovereign rights and rebuild their country – beautiful and strong. May God help us.” (Latvian Days of Song in England: 12 and 13 July 1958 in Leicester. 1958, p 4) For these days of song, a reprise concert took place on 8 November of the same year in Bradford. The reprise was combined with the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of Latvia’s independence. The main choir concert took place in Shipley’s Victoria Hall. 150 singers were conducted by Alberts Jērums, Helmers Pavasars and Roberts Zuika. Three dance groups participated in the event: Kamoliņš from Leeds, Rota (Ornament) from Nottingham and Sakta (Brooch) from Bradford.

6 Translates as “ball of wool”, but comes from a traditional Latvian dance in which the dancers’ movements mimic spinning and weaving. A common Latvian idiom.

VIth Latvian Days of Song in England, Bradford, 20-22 May 1961

Honorary Chairman of the organising committee – Kārlis Zariņš, Chairman – Mārtinš Kazainis. Chief conductors: Alberts Jērums, Helmers Pavasars, Andrejs Pommers, Roberts Zuika. The main choir concert took place in the St George’s Hall. 300 people took part (including seven dance groups with 100 dancers), with an audience of 1 500 people. Main events: exhibition of artists and crafts’’ groups and painter Juris Soikāns; concert by Paula Brīvkalne; lectures by painter Juris Soikans; new works’ concert; folk dance demonstrations. Kārlis Zariņš, Honorary Chairman of the organising committee: “Now too, in a foreign country and far away from our homeland, we cannot allow anything to be forgotten, for anything to be cast off. Let us learn everything of worth that we see in this place strange to us, but let us remain Latvians, no matter where fate leads us, no matter how long we will be away from Latvia. Let’s sing our beautiful songs. Song always touches the soul. For centuries, singing cast a ray of sunshine over the harshest days of the Latvian nation and turned our moments of happiness into unbridled joy. Now, in the course of our long alienation, singing binds us to the virtues of our father’s fathers, singing binds Latvians to one another. God bless Latvia!” (Latvian Days of Song in England: Bradford, 20, 21, 22 May, 1961. p 4). For these days of song, the reprise concert took place on 15-16 July of the same year in Leicester. Chief conductors: Alberts Jērums, Andrejs Pommers and Helmers Pavasars. The concert took place in the De Montfort Hall, with 140 singers and an audience of 1 000 people. Main events: an evening with dancer Vija Vētra; writers’ evening; exhibition of Latvian paintings and handicrafts.

VIIth Latvian Days of Song in England, Leicester 9-11 June 1967

Honorary Chair of the organising committee – Teodots Visvaldis Ozoliņš, Chairman – Kārlis Ampermanis. Chief conductors: Tikla Ilstere (Germany), Alberts Jērums, Helmers Pavasars, Andrejs Pommers. The main choir concert took place in the De Montfort Hall. Main events: writers’ evening; exhibition of paintings and crafts; theatre performance of Skroderodienas Silmačos (The Tailor Visits Silmači, Rūdolfs Blaumanis); new works’ concert; young people’s morning. Honorary Chair of the organising committee Teodots Visvaldis Ozoliņš: “The spirit of our songs had been a traditional and inseparable part of our nation for thousands of years, even before our first song festival in Dikļi. It is as old as our nation itself. Our individual music has branched out from it. It is accompanied by the art of words in poetry and prose. Similarly, the joy of colour and form shown by painting and arts and crafts expresses the sense of beauty developed over centuries. But beauty is the virtue we have witnessed during the Latvian Days of Song in England in Leicester.” (Latvian Days of Song in England: Leicester, De Montfort Hall, 9, 10, 11 June 1967. p 5) A reprise concert was held in Bradford.

VIIIth Latvian Days of Song in England, Leicester 30 July–1 August 1971

Honorary Chairman of the organising committee – Teodots Visvaldis Ozoliņš, chairman – V. Tomsons. Chief conductors: Alberts Jērums, Arvīds Norītis, Andrejs Pommers. The main choir concert took place at the De Montfort Hall. Main events: display of paintings by Arnolds Mazītis; theatrical performance of Omartija kundze (Mrs O’Marty, Anšlavs Eglītis); new works’ concert; young people’s morning; opening of an exhibition of paintings and arts and crafts; writers’ morning. Andris Abakuks, Chairman of the Presidium of the Latvian National Council in the UK : “Song festival and day of song events in exile are not just about preserving and continuing our cultural traditions, but have more important tasks and goals. They are as necessary to our national existence as breathing is for life. Songs, especially folk songs, have helped the Latvian people withstand hundreds of years of difficulties in their daily lives. They are also helping us now to maintain consensus and faith, cleanse our souls and give us the strength to continue our struggle for Latvia’s freedom.” (Latvian Days of Song in England: Leicester, 30-31 July and 1 August 1971. p 9)

IXth Latvian Days of Song in England, Leicester 1-3 August, 1975

Honorary Chairman of the organising committee – Teodots Visvaldis Ozoliņš, Chairman – Valdis Auers. Chief conductors: Ziedonis Āboliņš, Alberts Jērums, Andrejs Pommers. Main events: exhibition by Latvian artists and craftspeople resident in England; Wolverhampton Daugavas Vanagu fonds (Latvian Welfare Fund) drama group production of Zaļā krūze (Green Jug, Mārtiņš Zīverts); Latvian popular-music concert; young people’s morning; Latvian music concert; writers’ morning. Augusts Abakuks, Chairman of the Presidium of the Latvian National Council in the UK: “For thirty years now, we have been separated from our homeland by the Iron Curtain. If for so many years we have been able to remain faithful to our nation and the fatherland and have been able to serve it for so many years, a great deal of gratitude is owed to song festivals and days of song.” (IXth Latvian Days of Song in England, Leicester: 1-3 August 1975. p 6)

Xth Latvian Days of Song in England, Leicester 24-26 July 1981

Chairman of the organising committee – Valdis Auers. Chief conductors: Marks Opeskins, Manzars Dreimanis, Ziedonis Āboliņš, Lilija Zobens. The main choir concert took place in the De Montfort Hall. Main events: theatrical performances of Kamīnā klusu dzied vējš (The Wind Sings Quietly in the Fireplace, Harijs Gulbis) and Karmen, Karmen (Anšlavs Eglītis); opening of an exhibition by Latvian artists and craftspeople resident in England; young people’s concert; Latvian dance performance; writers’ afternoon; Latvian music concert. Augusts Abakuks, Chairman of the Presidium of the Latvian National Council in the UK: “The greatest pleasure, however, will be to again see our youngest and oldest generations in one community with a single wish – to take joint responsibility for the sacred existence of our nation. Let the songs unite us and call to us to remain faithful to our common goal – to do our best to make our nation and fatherland free again.” (Xth Latvian Latvian Days of Song in Leicester: 24-26 July, 1981. p 6)

XIth Latvian Days of Song in England, Leicester, 31 July – 3 August 1986

Honorary Chairman of the organising committee – Augusts Abakuks, Chairman – Valdis Auers. Chief conductors: Manzars Dreimanis, Alfrēds Tālbergs, Ziedonis Āboliņš, Marks Opeskins. The main choir concert took place in the De Montfort Hall. Main events: organ concert by Brigita Mieze; theatrical performances of Atkal atraitnis (A Widower Again, Gunārs Grieze) and Ir akmeņi raud (Even Stones Cry, Uldis Siliņš); exhibition by Latvian artists and craftspeople resident in England; literary evening about Aleksandrs Čaks; Latvian music concert. Andris Abakuks, Chairman of the Presidium of the Latvian National Council in the UK: “This year’s Days of Song show that, forty years after Latvians arrived in England, we still have people who are willing to take on thankless administrative tasks, that there is no lack of performers for the choir concert and other events, and maybe, most importantly, there is no shortage of spectators and listeners. But let’s not just think of our people in this country. During the festival, we will be united in spirit with Latvians throughout the ages and in every place where they have ever sung and will ever sing our songs.” (XIth Latvian Day of Song in England, Leicester organising committee publication. XIth Latvian Day of Song in England, Leicester: 31 July – 3 August 1986. p 5)

Latvian cultural movements developed quite rapidly in Great Britain, as the country was a magnet for World War II refugees due to its geographical proximity to Latvia. Over the following years, most activity concentrated in the London area, the Midlands and the North East.

It is worthy of note that conductor Roberts Zuika’s choir resumed rehearsals in Corby as soon as in 1948, while in August of that year, composer Alberts Jērums called to singers to join the London Choir, which evolved into one of England’s strongest Latvian mixed choirs. By 1949, there was almost no Latvian centre in England, where a choir, double quartet or group of singers had not started up. This rapid development opened up a wide range of options to launch the day-of-song tradition in England. Inspired by composer Alberts Jērums, Latvians living in England began preparations for days of song in England. In order to maximize audience numbers and reduce costs, days of song in England are organised as twin events – concerts with a similar programme in two or even three different cities. Looking through days of song held in England, they have been fertile in that new choral works have always appeared alongside the classic repertoire. The organisers of England’s days of song can be proud of the concerts of new works, which, at the time, enabled Latvian composers to develop and the public to become familiar with their achievements. The last Latvian Days of Song in England – the XIth – took place in 1986. Subsequently, smaller scale events were held that continued this tradition. The last such event was in London in May 2018.

Song Festivals in Europe and World Free Latvian Days of Song in Visby, Gotland and Münster

Ist European Latvian Song Festival in Hamburg, Germany, 5-8 August 1964 Honorary Chairman of the organising committee – Kārlis Zariņš, Chairman – Arturs Cipulis. Chief conductors: Alberts Jērums, Helmers Pavasars. The Ist European Latvian Song Festival was special and ambitious. In his book about song festivals in the exile period, Valentīns Bērzkalns quotes the great spiritual driving force of the festival, Alberts Jērums: “Dear people who have come to this festival – listen to contemporary poets, follow the latest achievements of Latvian composers, delve into the pursuits of Latvian painters, welcome our dancers’ steps and their youthful stature, hear how old and new songs resound from the hundreds-strong massed choir! No – these years have neither broken us nor silenced us, nor have they destroyed the sharpness of our Latvian feelings. The European Song Festival is a witness to this, a true and a real one, and if we can give such testimony today, there is no need to be concerned about the future.” (Bērzkalns, Valentīns. Latvian Song Festivals in Exile: 1946-1965. p 118) Two choir concerts with the same programme took place at the festival. Both concerts took place in the Great Hall of the University of Hamburg. A total of 400 singers from Germany, England and Sweden took part. 110 dancers also participated in this festival. Main events: theatrical performance Kāds iet, jums jāpaliek (Some Leave, You Must Stay, Jānis Viesiens); exhibitions of fine arts, ethnography and song festivals; Latvian poetry afternoon; folk-dance performance choreographed by ballet master Eižens Leščevskis; new works’ concert. There was also a significant addition to this festival – the children’s morning led by Andris Vītoliņš, with some 70 young singers and instrumentalists taking part. Zigrīda Daškeviča’s memories of the Hamburg Song Festival: “My most abiding memory of the Song Festival in Hamburg remains the opening concert. Those white handkerchiefs! They were everywhere in the audience, everyone was weeping. Cellist Atis Teikmanis was sitting in the front row, he was completely racked by sobs. I sang in the choir, but I couldn’t sing. It was extremely moving. Those touching tears. It is like when Beverīnas dziedonis (The Minstrel of Beverīna) is sung here in Latvia, I can’t help but cry.” (Song. Festivals. Life. Stories about Latvian song festivals abroad. Latvians Abroad Museum and Research Centre. 2015, p 18)

IInd European Latvian Song Festival in Hanover (Germany), 1-4 August 1968 Chairman of the organising committee – Jūlijs Bračs, Vice-chairman – Arturs Cipulis. Chief conductors: Longīns Apkalns, Alberts Jērums, Arvīds Norītis, Roberts Zuika. Jūlijs Bračs, organising committee chairman: “May the might of Latvians, whose brilliance is so enhanced by this song festival in Hanover – so close to the Iron Curtain – flare up as a great fire symbol11 in our homeland as testimony that we are not dead and will not die. The spirit of the songs will gather together and save our nation from the darkest shadow in the history of our homeland. We will leave Hanover with faith and with the appeal of the poet: ‘Latvia will live on – go forth, carry this message’.” (Rudzītis, Jānis. 2nd European Latvian Song Festival in Hanover: 1-4 August 1968: festival programme. p 15) The main choir concert took place in the main hall of the Rathaus. Main events: concert of new vocal works; macabre drama Rīga dimd (Rīga Resounds) by Mārtiņš Zīverts, directed by the author; New York Kokle and Singing Ensemble concert; concert of new instrumental works; children’s and young people’s afternoon; writers’ morning; folk-dance parade; exhibitions: Latvia in the 1950s, art exhibition, Latvian National Foundation exhibition, World Latvian Youth Congress exhibition, book exhibition, philately and numismatics exhibition. Andrejs Janson’s recollections of the kokle concerts in Hanover: “In 1968, we travelled to the song festival in Hanover where the kokle ensemble had three concerts, all completely sold out. European Latvians had not seen kokles at that time and came to our concerts as if to see a wonder. I remember that during the concert, a couple of photographers crawled on to the stage and put their cameras in the faces of the singers. We had to stop a couple of times so they could take their pictures and leave the stage so that we could continue the concert!” (Song. Festivals. Life. Stories about Latvian song festivals abroad. Latvians Abroad Museum and Research Centre.)  

11The ancient Latvian fire symbol signifies the sun, light

IIIrd European Latvian Song Festival, Cologne (Germany) 19-22 July 1973 Chairman of the organising committee – Longīns Apkalns, Deputy chair – Sergejs Bilkins. Chief conductors: Alberts Jērums, Arvīds Norītis, Arvīds Purvs. The main choir concert took place in the Congress Hall of the Koelnmesse. Main events: art exhibition; song-festival history exhibition; new Latvian instrumental music concert; theatrical performance Bezkaunīgie veči (Cheeky Chaps, Anšlavs Eglītis); Latvian popular music concert; Latvian opera concert; young people’s morning; writers’ morning; grand dance performance at Cologne Ice Stadium. Longīns Apkalns, Chairman of the organising committee: “The programme for the 3rd European Latvian Song Festival features a long line of outstanding cultural monuments of Latvian music. Many of these treasures were created in the first half of the centenary we are celebrating. Back then, Latvia was also not free. A large number of these classic works originated outside Latvia, as many cultural figures felt compelled to leave their homeland. What we now regard as the most outstanding examples of Latvian culture evolved in foreign environments. It is said that history does not repeat itself. And yet – the future germinates from the past, in a similar form.” (Apkalns, Longīns. 3rd European Latvian Song Festival: festival programme, Cologne, 19, 20, 21 and 22 July 1973. p 2)

IVth European Latvian Song Festival in London (England) 26-31 July 1977 Chair of the organising committee – Marie-Anne Zariņa, Vice-chairman – Jānis Andrups. Chief conductors: Manzars Dreimanis, Alberts Jērums, Marks Opeskins, Arvīds Purvs, Roberts Zuika. The main choir concert took place in the Royal Albert Hall. Main events: young musicians’ concert Dziesmu svētkus iesāk jaunie (Young People Launch the Song Festival); Latvian music concert; young people’s morning; theatre performance directed by Jānis Gulbītis – Rītausma (Dawn, Alfreds Dziļums); symphonic music concert; writers’ morning; folk-dance performance Daba, darbs, dzīve (Nature, Work, Life) choreographed by Viktors Grigulis; popular music concert; exhibitions: paintings by Juris and Nikolajs Soikans, sculptures by Zigurds Sapietis, Song-festival history, Latvian stamps, slideshows on Latvian folk costumes, the Latvian home, Latvian churches, as well as pictures of works by Zigurds Sapietis and scenes on the making of kokles demonstrated by Leons Bodnieks. Marie-Anne Zariņa, Chair of the organising committee: “In 1977, when the eyes of the world are focused on England for the 25th anniversary of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, Latvians gather in London, the centre of international life, for reasons that matter to them. United in Latvian song, we raise our red-and-white flag over London’s gray buildings so as to carry our voices across seas and lands to Latvia itself. Living outside Latvia, we have all been chosen by fate and asked to become extraordinary ambassadors of our nation, who must always and everywhere defend the rights of our fatherland. We can each do this according to our capabilities and with the talents God gave us. Over these festival days we can do this as a single Latvian family united by song. As we receive the blessing of this song, let us walk with our heads held high, believing in the victory of our nation’s spirit and in a better future. Our young people, taking part in this festival as singers and dancers, as well as organisers, are growing in their belief in Latvia. Latvian song, and every Latvian in whose work the young people have been able to see selfless service for the future of the fatherland, must take great credit for that.” (Andrups, Jānis. 4th European Latvian Song Festival: festival programme, London, 26-31 July 1977. p 6)

Ist World Free Latvian Days of Song in Europe, Visby (Sweden) 19-22 June 1979 Chairman of the organising committee – Jānis Muchks, Chairman of the World Free Latvian Association – Ilgvars Spilners. Chief conductors: Longīns Apkalns (Germany), Ziedonis Āboliņš (England), Viktors Bendrups (Australia), Andrejs Jansons (USA), Arvīds Norītis (Sweden), Marks Opeskins (Germany), Arvīds Purvs (Canada), Lilija Zobens (England). The main choir concert was held on the Open-air stage. Before the concert – a participants’ parade from the Solberga school to the festival venue. Main events: Stockholm Latvian Theatre production of Septiņas vecmeitas (Seven Old Maids, Tija Banga) and Australian Latvian Theatre production of Solterra (Erna Lēmane); poetry interlude; concert by England’s Latvian musical ensemble Atbalss (Echo, director: Leslie East); Concert by Toronto female choir Zīle (Titmouse, conductor: Arvīds Purvs); comedy evening You’re in Gotland, my Friend; concert by Boston musical ensemble Kolibri (Humming bird, director: Pēterisis Aldins); New York Latvian choir concert (Conductor: Andrejs Jansons); poetry performance Lai atkal par cietu zemi… (To Reach Land Again ...); major production of the dramatic poem Daugava by Jānis Rainis (director: Osvalds Uršteins); concert by soprano Ileana Pētersone; performance of Mārietas dziesma (Mārieta’s Song, choreography by Skaidrīte Darius) by Australian folk dance and song ensemble Saules josta (Sun Belt12 ); concert by Portland ensemble Dzintars (Amber, director: Brigita Ritmane-Ose); grand folk-dance performance Saulgrieži (Solstice, choreographer: Ingrīda Leimane); children’s and young people’s events; Midsummer’s Eve on the Baltic Sea at Kneippbyn; exhibitions: art exhibition with works by Niklavs Strunke and Laris Strunke, exhibitions on historical themes (Latvia – 60; Latvia – forgotten land; 100 Years of Latvian Song Festivals; Latvia-Gotland over the Centuries). Helmers Pavasar: “Take note of this: no matter which country Latvians have ended up in, there are none in which we have not sought each other out and – met in song. We were already singing in the refugee camps in Germany. When the forced exodus began, the first country that came together in Latvian Days of Song was England. For it was there that the London Choir was directed by Alberts Jērums; so naturally, inspired by Alberts, England’s Latvians became the first pioneers in reinvigorating the ancient tradition. Gotland, with its proximity to the shores of Kurzeme, was also a dream cherished by Alberts Jērums. Although that dreamer passed away prematurely, Sweden’s Latvians have ensured that Jērums’ dream has been fulfilled. We thank them for that.” (Ritums, Jānis, Šleiere, Dagnija. World Free Latvian Days of Song: Visby, Gotland: festival programme. 19-22 June 1979, p 3) 12Decorative belts are an integral part of Latvian folk costumes, both male and female. They often feature ancient symbols such as that for the sun

Vth European Latvian Song Festival in Leeds (England) 27 July – 1 August 1982 Chairman of the organising committee – Marie-Anne Zariņa, Vice-chairman and head of information section – Jānis Pētersons. Chief conductors: Ziedonis Āboliņš, Marks Opeskins, Arvīds Purvs, Lilija Zobens. The main choir concert took place in St. George’s Hall, Bradford13 . Main events: concert by guitarist, flamenco virtuoso Andris Kārkliņš; Latvian chamber music concert; young people’s morning; theatre performances Minhauzena precības (Munchausen’s Wedding, Mārtinš Zīverts) and Raudupiete (The Lady of Raudupe Manor, novel by Rudolfs Blaumanis, dramatised by Anna Brigadere); Latvian folk music concert Ar dziesmiņu druvā gāju (I Sang as I Went to Harvest); grand folk-dance performance choreographeded by Viktors Grigulis; Latvian music concert; Latvian rock music concert; writers’ morning; exhibitions: ethnographic exhibition, art and craft exhibition, memorial exhibition on composer Alberts Jērums; Latvian stamps; book exhibition. Marie-Anne Zariņa, Chairman of the organising committee: “A programme with broad content, that has become a tradition in all European Latvian song festivals, is necessary because we are a Western European culture with rich music, literature, dances and fine arts with which we are worthy of standing next to the culture of the land we live in today. The song festival often provides, if not the only, then the best opportunity to play new compositions, see professional-quality theatre productions, grand dance performances and listen to the living words of writers.” Daškevica, Zigrīda; Vilčinska, Māra; Vitkauskienė, Rūta; Zariņa, Marie-Anne. 5th European Latvian Song Festival, Leeds: festival programme. 27 July – 1 August 1982, p 6) 13It had to be moved at the last moment following a fire in the orginal venue, Leeds Town Hall 14Dikļi was where the very first Day of Song was held in 1864, considered the launch of the tradition

IInd World Free Latvian Days of Song in Europe, Münster, Germany, 31 July– 5 August 1984 Chairman of the organising committee – Jānis Muchks, Chairman of the World Free Latvian Association – Oļģerts Pavloskis. Chief conductors: Guntars Gedulis (Venezuela), Vizma Maksiņa (Canada), Imants Mežaraups (USA), Marks Opeskins, Lilija Zobens. The main choir concert From Dikļi14 to Münster took place in the main auditorium of the Münsterland Halle. The festival parade – from Hindenburgplatz to Domplatz. Main events: cabaret You are in Münster, my Friend (directed by Uldis Siliņš); major production by children and young people (directed by Andris Kadeģis, musical director Andris Vītoliņš); Exaltation of Latvia – all those present sang three songs together; concert performance of the opera Baņuta by Alfrēds Kalniņš; Sydney Latvian theatre production of Kurrpurrū (Mārtiņš Zīverts); large-scale production Daudzinājums (Exaltation) by pupils of the Münster Latvian High School directed by Mārtiņš Zandbergs; concert by Zīle (Titmouse) Toronto female choir (conductor: Arvīds Purvs); concert by the Atbalss (Echo), Kolibri (Humming bird) and Solaris ensembles; production of Mārpuķīte (Daisy) by the Saules josta (Sun Belt) ensemble (choreography: Skaidrīte Darius, three dances: Juris Ruņģis); Atmoda (Awakening) poetry event; writers’ and poets’ fair; Sprīdītis musical production by Andrejs Jansons; exile poetry session; Grand folk-dance performance (director-in-chief: Andrejs Neimanis); exhibitions: works by Professor Augusts Annus, Anna Annus-Hagen, Jānis Annus; works by Juris Soikans, Ilze Soikane-Menneking and Nikolajs Soikans; Photo-documentary exhibition 40 Years of our School at the Münster Latvian High School. “I Look at the Bible of Songs Leafing through song after song – As if they’re re-born Living on forever. Our father, mother is here Beyond songs and lives; Accompanying us in song, Loving pairs of eyes. Let’s leaf through the Bible of Songs Let us sing. Where is the border? Songs do not start here, Songs do not end here. Our Latvia is here – I hear her singing. I see her in the Bible of Songs Blossoming like a cherry tree.” (Andrejs Eglītis, Summer 1987, Stockholm. World Free Latvian Days of Songs and Festival of Culture: festival programme, Münster, Germany, 2-8 August 1987, p 3) 14Dikļi was where the very first Day of Song was held in 1864, considered the launch of the tradition

VIth European Latvian Song Festival in Helsingborg (Sweden) 30 July – 2 August 1989 Chairman of the organising committee – Gunārs Pāvuls, Deputy chair – Zaiga Blumberga-Vasariņa. Chief conductors: Juris Kļaviņš, Imants Mežaraups, Marks Opeskins, Gaida Rulle, Ilze Šakare, Lilija Zobens. The main choir concert took place at Folkparken, Friluftsestraden. Main events: Iedziedāsim svētkus (Let’s Sing in the Festival) opening evening; Latvian music and dance – open-air event for Swedish and Latvian audiences; theatre performances Sievu kari ar Belcebulu (Wives Battle Beelzebub, Anna Brigadere) and Aija (Jānis Jaunsudrabiņš); children’s opera Mazais ganiņš (Little Shepherd) by Andris Vītoliņš; Latvian rock; poetry morning; grand folk-dance and folk-music performance; Apburtā trimda (Enchanted Exile) poetry event; organ concert by Brigita Mieze; Nelūdzam, pieprasām (We Don’t Ask, We Demand) political event; exhibitions – fine art exhibition, ethnographic art exhibition, school and book exhibition. Chairman of the organising committee Gunārs Pāvuls: “The European Song Festival must give creative Latvian artists opportunities to meet with their nation in Europe and therefore we must nurture this tradition until we can celebrate this festival in a free Latvia. The European Song Festival has been held in England and Germany, but this is the first time in Sweden, where it takes place at a time when the nation in occupied Latvia has risen again in national struggle. I hope festival participants feel joy in Helsingborg and take away those impressions for the future.” (6th European Latvian Song Festival in Helsingborg, Sweden: festival programme, 30 July – 2 August 1989 p 5)

In 1964, the Song Festival began to expand in scale. So as to bring together people from different free European countries, European Latvian song festivals are organised. These festivals have taken place in Germany, England and Sweden.

Just as for the Latvian Days of Song in England, the main figure behind this is Alberts Jērums – an ardent generator of ideas, organiser and creator of the music scene in exile. In parallel with the 1979 European Latvian Song Festival, the World Free Latvian Days of Song are also held in Europe. Choirs and ensembles from every continent and from many different countries have participated in the three World Free Latvian Days of Song, as is shown by the ranks of the conductors performing at these festivals. Daina Zalāne’s memories of the nighttime concert in Gotland8 : “Everything else comes from my parents’ stories. They told me that Andrejs Eglītis (a poet, public figure in exile, who died in 2006) stood at the sea’s edge and said, ‘We have to get across!’ And when Jāņi (Midsummer Night) was celebrated, there was a small boat in the sea, a police boat or something, and then one of our Münster9 schoolmates swam over to it and fired a rocket from there. And Lilija Zobens sang Dzeguze kūko, dzied lakstīgala, raud mūsu māsiņa svešajā zemē… (The Cuckoo and Nightingale Sing, but our Sister Weeps in a Foreign Land …)” (Song. Festivals. Life. Stories about Latvian song festivals abroad. Latvians Abroad Museum and Research Centre. 2015, p 184) The European Latvian Association (ELA) now organises the European Festival of Latvian Culture (ELKS), the successor to the European Latvian Song Festival10 . The previous event was held in Dublin in 2019.

8The Swedish island of Gotland is the closest place in, then-free Europe, to Latvia, little more than 100km. It has particular meaning for Latvians, as many refugees landed there during World War II 9Münster was home to the only full-time Latvian secondary school outside Latvia, financed by the German government. Later, a global Latvian centre was established there. 10Following Latvia regaining her independence, there was significant economic migration to EU member states and the consequent evolution of new Latvian organisations, with the European Latvian Association (ELA) at the centre
Uz_augšu

Song Festivals in the Americas (North America)

The exodus of refugees from Europe to the American continent began in the late 1940s. At that time, Latvian centres began to emerge in the US and Canada. The largest Latvian centres in the United States were in Kalamazoo, Boston, New York and Chicago, while Canada’s largest Latvian centres were located in Ontario Province – Toronto, Hamilton, St Catharines and Niagara.

In these places too, Latvians sought to preserve their language and traditions, and again singing becomes the nucleus around which cultural expression gradually develops. Within a couple of years, Latvians in America are organising both extensive regional days of song (Indianapolis and Milwaukee), days of song (Garezers) and song festivals.

On the North American continent, the first days of song are held in Toronto in 1952, while larger-scale events in Canada and the United States begin in 1953. These festivals can be divided into two big groups – Latvian Song Festivals in Canada and All-Latvian Song Festivals in the US. A little later, in 1962, the American continent also began to organise the West Coast Latvian Song Festival in order to expand the festival and help Latvians living in the western states develop a cultural environment. Valentīna Pradena remembers American song festivals: “You know what I remember from the festivals? When I sang in the choir, the rehearsals were terribly early in the morning. And then you had to run around to catch all the events. Because you bought tickets for everything! Theatre, church concerts. We were forever chasing about. From one event to another. For instance, one of my good girlfriends living in Indianapolis not only sang in the choir, but also danced folk dances. I don’t know how she could endure it at all. There was so much going on – there was no time left for sleep When there was a bit of free time, we lay down, had a nap, and then headed back into it again.” (Song. Festival. Life. Stories about Latvian Song Festivals abroad. Latvians Abroad Museum and Research Centre.)

After Latvia regained its independence, festivals continue to be held in both Canada and the US and are anticipated and well attended. In 2015, the XVIth US West Coast Latvian Song Festival was held in California, while in Canada, the XVth Latvian Song Festival is to be held in Toronto in 2019.

Latvian Days of Song in Canada

First Latvian Days of Song in Canada, Toronto, 6-7 September 1952 Chairman of the organising committee – Elmārs Krūka, Honorary Chairman – Ray N. Bryson (Consul for Denmark). Chief conductors: Ērika Freimane and Jānis Cīrulis. The choir concert took place at the Massey Hall. 180 singers and 40 dancers from three dance groups took part with an audience of 2 000 people. The play Ļaunais gars (Evil Spirit) by Rūdolfs Blaumanis was performed. The days of song were proof that, even in such circumstances, there was no shortage of music devotees and lovers. This provided an incentive to encourage the creation of new choirs and the attraction of singers.

Ist Latvian Song Festival in Canada (Toronto) 9-11 October 1953 Chairman of the organising committee – Elmārs Krūka, Honorary Chairman – Ray N. Bryson. Chief conductors: Jānis Cīrulis, Ērika Freimane, Valdemārs Linde, Jānis Norvilis. The main choir concert took place in the Massey Hall, with 290 singers participating and an audience of 3 200 people. Major events: new works’ concert featuring solo songs written for the Song-festival competition (awards were given to Alberts Jērums for the composition Iz kāda cikla (From a Cycle, lyrics: Zinaīda Lazda) and Eduards Šēnfelds for the Elementi cycle (lyrics: Veronika Strēlerte). There was also a writers’ evening organised by the Latvian Press Society; show of works by the Latvian craftspeople’s union; folk-dance morning; sports competitions and the Toronto Latvian Theatre production of Skroderdienas Silmačos (The Tailor Came to Silmači, Rūdolfs Blaumanis)

IInd Latvian Song Festival in Canada (Toronto), 31 May – 2 June 1957 Chairman of the organising committee – Elmārs Krūka. Chief conductors: Jānis Cīrulis, Ērika Freimane, Jānis Norvilis. The main choir concert took place in the Varsity arena. 680 singers took part wirh an audience of 5 500 people. It should be noted that the concert began with a moment of mourning commemorating conductor Teodors Reiters. Concerts of new works have gained popularity at exile song festivals. That was also the case this time, award-winning pieces making up some of the repertoire. The new works’ concert took place at Parkdale College. In May 1956, competitions were announced for solo and mixed choir songs to be performed at the concert. Seven works received awards, for solo songs: Jānis Mediņš for Jūras smaids (Smiling Sea, lyrics: Zinaida Lazda), Eduards Šēnfelds for the cycle Vakara dziesma (Evening Song, lyrics: Velta Toma), Aleksandrs Okolo-Kulaks for the song Nakts (Night, lyrics by the composer). In the mixed choir section, Daina (Folk Song) by Jānis Mediņš (lyrics: Zinaida Lazda), folk-song arrangement Jūra krāca (Roaring Sea) by Jānis Norvilis and Meži šalc (Rustling Forests) by Aleksandrs Okolo-Kulaks (lyrics: Zinaida Lazda) received awards. Voldemārs Ozoliņš received an additional prize for the song Maija naktī (A Night in May, lyrics: Kārlis Krūza). Main events: art exhibition at Hart House, with works by 16 members of the Canadian Latvian Artists’ Association; premiere of the epic drama Jersika by L. Auzāne-Vītoliņa; 20-year commemorative exhibition of Latvian handicraft organised by H. Mercis in St Andrew’s Church; Latvian cultural event; basketball and football games.

IIIrd Latvian Song Festival in Canada (Toronto) 1-4 September 1961 Chairman of the organising committee – Elmārs Krūka, Deputy chairs – Arnolds Jankovskis and Jānis Cīrulis. Chief conductors: Jānis Cīrulis, Arnolds Kalnājs, Jānis Norvilis, Bruno Skulte. The main choir concert took place in the Maple Leaf Gardens arena, with around 1 000 singers and an audience of 9 000 people. The concert was introduced by a festival parade. Before the Song Festival – in 1959 – a choral song competition was held, 12 composers participating with 23 songs. No prizes were awarded. The competition prize money was distributed to the composers of the seven recommended works: Divas lūgšanas (Two Prayers, lyrics: Pēteris Ērmanis) and Sena dziesma (Ancient Song) by Jānis Norvilis, Mūža pilnestība (A Perfect Life) by Eduards Šēnfelds, Dziesmu vairogs (Shielded by Song, lyrics: Jānis Veselis) and Svēto skaņu pasaulē (In a World of Sacred Sounds, lyrics: B. Dombrovskis) by Voldemārs Ozoliņš, Skaistums (Beauty, lyrics: Zinaida Lazda) by Ērika Freimane and Mūsu zeme (Our Land) by Aleksandrs Okolo-Kulaks. In 1960, a second contest was held – this time for male-choir and solo songs, as well as for instrumental music. In total, nine male-choir songs, ten solo songs and four instrumental works were entered. Prizes were awarded to Aleksandrs Okolo-Kulaks for Četras gleznas čellam un klavierēm (Four Paintings for Cello and Piano), Arnolds Šturms for Svīta flautai un klavierēm (Suite for Flute and Piano), Voldemars Ozoliņš for the solo song Sonnet (lyrics: Elza Ķezbere), Jānis Norvilis for the male-choir song Latgale (lyrics: Kārlis Skalbe), Eduards Šēnfelds for the male-choir song Dievnamā (At Church, lyrics: Veronika Strēlerte). Some of the works were performed at the new-works competition during the festival. Main events: new works’ concert; exhibition at the Toronto Public Library (31 artists with 67 works); handicrafts exhibition; philatelic and numismatic exhibition; grand dance performance featuring 14 dances – some danced separately, but some en masse (196 dancers); joint performance of the three Toronto Latvian theatre groups Princese Gundega un karalis Brusubārda (Princess Gundega and King Brusubārda, Anna Brigadere); sacred music concert; writers’ event; sports competitions; folk-dance competitions.

IVth Latvian Song Festival in Canada (Toronto) 28-31 May 1965 Chairman of the organising committee – Žanis Šmits, Honorary chairman – Elmārs Krūka, Deputy chair – Arvīds Purvs. Chief conductors: Alberts Jērums, Jānis Norvilis, Arvīds Purvs, Roberts Zuika. The main choir concert took place in the Maple Leaf Gardens arena. Some 800-900 singers took part with an audience of 7 000 people. The concert was introduced by an extensive festival parade. As usual, a competition for new works was announced, this time in vocal and vocal-instrumental music. Twelve composers participated with 39 pieces. In total, seven prizes were awarded and eight pieces recommended. Awards for choral music: Jānis Norvilis for the mixed-choir song Māsas pūrs (My Sister’s Dowry) and Helmers Pavasars for the male-choir arrangement Rikšiem bērīti es palaidu (I set the Bay Horse Trotting). Prizes were also awarded to Viktor Baštiks for his cantata for mixed choir and organ Latvijas balāde (Ballad for Latvia, lyrics by Jānis Akuraters) and Voldemārs Ozoliņš for his series of a cappella folk songs Līgo svētki (Celebrating Līgo). Solo song prizes were awarded to Aleksandrs Okolo-Kulaks for Impresija par cepuri (Impression on a Hat, composer’s lyrics), Eduards Šēnfelds for Sava dzimtene (My Homeland, lyrics by Rūta Skujiņa) and Voldemārs Ozoliņš for Dzērāja dziesma (The Drunkard’s Song, lyrics by Aleksandrs Čaks). Main events: fine art exhibition at Latvian House – 43 artists with 76 works participated; applied arts and crafts show; philatelic and numismatic exhibition; concert of vocal works; sacred music concert; instrumental music evening; Deju kari (Dance competition) with six dance groups –the Toronto Latvian Society folk-dance group Diždancis (Grand Dance) led by Zigurds Miezītis achieved the highest score; writers’ event; 504 dancers participated in the folk-dance performance (the programme consisted of 22 dances, chief choreographer – Arnolds Bāliņš).

V Latviešu dziesmu svētki Kanādā (Toronto) 1970. gada 27. jūnijā–5. jūlijā Chairman of the organising committee – Žanis Šmits, chairman’s assistants – Voldemārs Gulēns, Arvīds Purvs. Honorary chief conductor – Jānis Norvilis. Chief conductors: Ernests Brusubārdis II, Alberts Jērums, Arvīds Purvs, Roberts Zuika. The main choir concert took place in the Maple Leaf Gardens arena. 44 choirs took part with an audience of 10 600 people. Main events: Latvian symphonic music concert (conductor Jānis Kalniņš); performance of Pūt, vējiņi (Blow Wind, Blow, directed by Osvalds Uršteins); sacred music concert (conductor Arvīds Purvs); grand folk-dance performance with 830 dancers (choreographer Arnolds Bāliņš); writers’ morning; fine arts exhibition; applied art exhibition; arts and crafts market; philatelic and numismatic exhibition; ballet performance Koklētājs un velns (The Kokle Player and the Devil, music and libretto by Bruno Skulte).

VIth Latvian Song Festival in Canada (Toronto) 24 June – 4 July 1976 Chairman of the organising committee – Žanis Šmits. Honorary chief conductor Jānis Kalniņš. Chief conductors: Jānis Barušs, Ernests Brusubārdis II, Alberts Jērums, Arvīds Purvs. The main choir concert took place in the Maple Leaf Gardens arena. 36 choirs took part with an audience of 7 942 people. Main events: Latvian symphonic music concert (conductor Alfrēds Štrombergs); Latvian chamber music concert; sacred music concert; staging of Rīgas raganas (Witches of Rīga, Osvalds Uršteins from the play by Jānis Rainis); writers’events; popular music concert – Dzintars (Amber) Portland young people’s ensemble, Trīs no Pārdaugavas (Three from Pardaugava); schoolchildren’s concert; grand dance performance with 734 dancers.

VIIth Latvian Song Festival in Canada (Toronto) 1-5 July 1981 Chairman of the organising committee – Žanis Šmits, Vice chairmen – Imants Alksnis and Arvīds Purvs. Chief conductors: Roberts Balodis, Jānis Kalniņš, Arvīds Purvs, Lilija Zobens, Roberts Zuika, Jānis Beloglazovs. The main choir concert took place in the Maple Leaf Gardens arena. 57 choirs took part with an audience of 7 586 people. Main events: Symphonic concert (conductor Alfrēds Strombergs); sacred music concert (conductors Arvīds Purvs, Rūdolfs Kalnmals); selected music concert (conductors Arvīds Purvs, Alfrēds Strombergs); young artists’ concert; schoolchildren’s concert; grand folk-dance performance with 800 dancers; new dance review; writers’ events Ar smaidu sirdī (With a Smile in One’s Heart) and No tēvu avotiem (From the Sources of Our Fathers); fine arts exhibition; philatelic and numismatic exhibition; events to maintain Latvian ethnicity (lectures, discussions, opinions); applied art exhibition; Čikāgas piecīši (Chicago Five) concert; Chicago Puppet Theatre.

VIIIth Latvian Song Festival in Canada (Toronto) 1-6 July 1986 Chairman of the organising committee – Žanis Šmits, Vice chairmen – Imants Alksnis and Arvīds Purvs. Chief conductors: Viktors Bendrups, Ernests Brusubārdis III, Vizma Maksiņa, Arvīds Purvs. Main choir concert – Maple Leaf Gardens arena, with 51 choirs and an audience of 8 000 people. Main events: chamber music concert; young people’s concert; ensemble concert (Kolibri (Humming bird), Auseklis (Morning Star) chamber choir, 5th Latvian Youth Song Festival chamber choir); sacred music concert; selected music concert (conductor Alfrēds Štrombergs); new dance review (director Uldis Roze); grand folk-dance performance Jauns ar vecu sadancoja (Young and Old Danced Together) with some 790 dancers (programme director Zigurds Miezītis); writers’ events Ar domu brīvu (Free Thinking) and Vārda spēks (Power of the Word); theatre performance Spēle ar brāļiem (A Game of Brothers, Anšlavs Eglītis); applied art exhibition; arts and crafts gatherings and markets; fine arts exhibition; Čikāgas piecīši (Chicago Five) concert; philatelic and numismatic exhibition.

IXth Latvian Song Festival in Canada (Toronto) 29 June – 7 July 1991 Chairman of the organising committee – Zigurds Miezītis. Chief conductors: Brigita Alka, Ernests Brusubārdis III, Andrejs Jansons, Juris Kļaviņš, Pauls Kvelde, Edgars Račevskis, Vizma Maksiņa, Arvīds Purvs. Main choir concert – Maple Leaf Gardens arena, with 20 choirs and an audience of 4 408 people. Main events: small-scale theatre Roze (Rose, Lelde Stumbre); folklore day and folk-dance courses at the Sidrabene Latvian centre; schoolchildren’s concert; writers’ events Pasaules tilts (Global Bridge) and Paaudžu tilts (Bridge across Generations); concert by guitarist Andris Kārkliņš; dinner dance aboard the boat Tango; fine arts exhibition; ethnographic performance by folk dance group Laima (Pagan goddess); play performance Atriebēja (Revenge Seeker, Aspazija); Latvian opera music concert; applied art exhibition; philatelic and numismatic exhibition; performance of Trīnes grēki (Trīne’s Sins, Rūdolfs Blaumanis); Čikāgas piecīši (Chicago Five) concert; folk-dance performance with 700 dancers; sacred music concert; Ansis Epners’ film Es esmu latvietis (I am a Latvian); Sonode choir concert (conductor Edgars Račevskis); new dance review; chamber music concert; selected music concert; combined male-choir concert; Pērkons (Thunder) rock-group concert; grand folk-dance performance Brālītis un māsiņa – tēva sētā (Brother and Sister – in Father’s Farmyard).

Xth Latvian Song Festival in Canada (Toronto) 3-7 July 1996 Chairman of the organising committee – Edvīns Kalviņš. Honorary chief conductor – Roberts Zuika. Chief conductors: Brigita Alka, Ernests Brusubārdis III, Andris Gūtmanis, Imants Kokars, Vizma Maksiņa, Īrisa Purene, Arvīds Purvs, Edgars Račevskis. Main choir concert – Roy Thomson Hall. 34 choirs performed for an audience of 2 750 people (fewer listeners because of limited space). Main events: theatre performance Sievu kari ar belcebulu (Wives at War with Beelzebul, Anna Brigadere); film screenings Ziemassvētku jampadracis (Christmas Hullabaloo) and Tereona galva (The Head of the Wild Goose); exhibition of Latvian crafts and fine arts; writers’ event … un tad mēs aizdedzinām sveces (… and Then we Light the Candles); new dance review; Čikāgas piecīši (Chicago Five) concert; soloists’ concert; schoolchildren’s concert; sacred music concert.

XIth Latvian Song Festival in Canada (Toronto) 30 June – 3 July 2000 Chairman of the organising committee – Arvīds Purvs. Chief conductors: Aija Vintere-Brugmane, Ernests Brusubārdis III, Andris Gūtmanis, Vizma Maksiņa, Īrisa Purene, Arvīds Purvs, Jānis Zirnis, Monika Daukste-Strautniece. Main choir concert – Roy Thomson Hall. Main events: theatre performance Minhauzena precības (Munchausen’s Wedding, Mārtiņš Zīverts); schoolchildren’s concert; chamber music concert; new dance review; sacred music concert; grand folk-dance performance Soli pa solim, sadancosim (Step by Step, Let’s Dance Together); Dzirksts (Spark) cabaret show; exhibitions and literary events.

XIIth Latvian Song Festival in Canada (Toronto) 1-4 July 2004 Chief conductors: Brigita Alka (USA), Jānis Beloglāzovs (Canada), Aira Birziņa (Latvia), Ernests Brusubārdis III (USA), Skaidrīte Darkevica (USA), Andrejs Jansons (USA), Egils Lipšāns (Latvia), Ints Teterovskis (Latvia), Vizma Maksiņa (Canada), Arvīds Purvs (Canada), Einārs Verro (Latvia), Andrejs Vītols (Canada). Main choir concert – Roy Thomson Hall. Main events: craftspeople’s exhibition; art exhibition; folk-costume exhibition; philatelic exhibition; schoolchildren’s concert; Pie ezera (At the Lake); Juventus choir concert; Esslingen musical (libretto Alberts Legzdiņš and Andris Ritmanis, music by Lolita Ritmane and Alberts Legzdiņš); new dance review; sacred music concert; Dzirksts (Spark) cabaret show; writers’ event; grand folk-dance performance; orchestral concert.

XIIIth Latvian Song Festival in Canada (Hamilton) 1–5 July 2009 Chairman of the organising committee – Arvīds Purvs. Chief conductors: Aija Vintere-Brugmane, Ernests Brusubārdis III, Andris Gūtmanis, Vizma Maksiņa, Īrisa Purene, Arvīds Purvs, Jānis Zirnis, Monika Daukste-Strautniece. Main choir concert – Roy Thomson Hall. Main events: theatre performance Minhauzena precības (Munchausen’s Wedding, Mārtiņš Zīverts); schoolchildren’s concert; chamber music concert; new dance review; sacred music concert; grand folk-dance performance Soli pa solim, sadancosim (Step by Step, Let’s Dance Together); Dzirksts (Spark) cabaret show; exhibitions and literary events.

XIVth Latvian Song Festival in Canada (Hamilton) 3-6 July 2014 Chairman of the organising committee – Baiba Bredovska. Two days before the song festival, many participants gathered at the Sidrabene Latvian centre to take part in the Vasaras vainagu svētki (Summer Floral Garland Festival). The celebrations began with a colourful parade from the entrance gate and the national anthem. Toronto choir Skanda sang, with choirs from Rīga, Limbaži, Talsi, Cēsis, Daugavpils and Ireland. 500 singers took part in the main concert, performing 25 songs – Latvian classics, beloved and contemporary songs by composers from the US, Canada and Latvia – accompanied by the festival chamber orchestra and kokles. The culmination of the sumptuous and artistically powerful collection of songs was Pūt, vējiņi (Blow Wind, Blow), sung by both hundreds of singers and the audience, joining hands and swaying like a “boat in the waves”. Main events: exhibition of applied and fine arts; Latviešu stāja svešumā (Latvians’ Stance in Foreign Lands) exhibition; concerts by Tērvetes trubadūri> (Tērvete Troubadors) folkloric ensemble, by the Autobuss debesīs (Bus in Heaven) group, by the Folkvakars (Folk Night) ensemble, and by Adam Zahl; theatre performance of Skroderodienas Silmačos (The Tailor Comes to Silmači, Rūdolfs Blaumanis); review/concert of new dances, simultaneously a competition in which 29 professional and amateur groups – 500 dancers in all – performed 22 original dances; sacred music concert. Minister for Culture Dace Melbārde, addressing festival participants, avowed: “In our times, the Song Festival has become the most powerful attraction calling Latvians together. It is the nation’s joint creative vocation. Latvians live all over the world, but we have to be together at song festivals.” (XIVth Latvian Song Festival taking place in Canada. lsm.lv. 4 July 2014) Further information:

  • • XIVth Latvian Song Festival in Hamilton, Canada, will take place from 3 to 6 July. Latviesiamerika.com.
  • • Mārtiža, Eva. From 3 to 6 July, the XIVth Latvian Song Festival was held in Hamilton, Canada. La.lv.

XVth Latvian Song Festival in Canada (Toronto), 4-7 July 2019 The main choir concert will take place in the Maple Leaf Gardens arena. The following events are planned during the festival: a writers’ symposium with readings by Latvian writers and poets; a market with works of art, handicrafts and jewellery made by Latvian craftspeople; a sacred music concert with the participation of the Latvija State Academic choir (conductor Māris Sirmais) and the combined choir, as well as the Song Festival chamber orchestra ; concert of orchestral and chamber music; cabaret evening; Līgo folk-dance ensemble concert, new dance review, grand folk-dance performance. For more information: https://latviansongfest.com/lv.

XVIth Latvian Song Festival in Canada (Toronto), 4-7 July 2024

All-Latvian Song Festivals in USA

Ist All-Latvian Song Festival in America, Chicago, 30-31 May 1953

This song festival was dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the first Latvian Song Festival. Chairman of the organising committee – Kārlis Dzirkalis, Deputy Chairmen – Gustavs Straumanis and Oto Krolls. Honorary chief conductor – Ādolfs Ābele. Chief conductors: Arnolds Kalnājs, Valdemārs Ozoliņš, Eduards Ramats, Bruno Skulte.

A competition for a cappella songs had been announced a year earlier under the auspices of the Song Festival, with three awards planned. In total, 36 choir songs were sent in to the competition. Prizes were awarded to Helmers Pavasars for his choir song Rīts (Morning, lyrics: Aspazija), Eduards Šēnfelds’ choir song Svešumā (In a Foreign Land, lyrics: Kārlis Zāle) and Alberts Jērums’ harmonisation Ar laiviņu ielaidos (I Launched my Boat).

The main choir concert started with a parade along Michigan Avenue, ending in the city centre of Chicago near the Northeast Arena, where a special stage had been constucted for the choir. 650 singers took part in the closing concert, with an audience of 6 500 people. The concert ended with a people’s celebration. The folk-dance performance was choreographed by ballet soloist Rūdolfs Saule with Voldemārs Dzelme, leader of the Chicago folk dance group. 40 pairs of dancers took part in the performance.

Main events: art exhibition with works by 120 Latvian artists at the Northwest University; cultural afternoon in the Thorne Hall; Chicago Latvian Theatre performance of Kas tie tādi (Who Are They, Ādolfs Alunans). There were also awards for folk costumes during the festival.

A significant added value can be mentioned in connection with this festival: “This event was united with the distant past by the historic 80-year-old conductor’s baton of Indriķis Zīle, the chief conductor of the Ist All-Latvian Song Festival, which was passed on to the Chicago festival by his daughter Herta Grīnupe, thanks to Professor Ludis Bērziņš” (Bērzkalns, Valentīns. Latvian Song Festivals in Exile 1968, p147

IInd All-Latvian Song Festival in USA, New York, 3-6 July 1958

Chairman of the organising committee – Pēteris Starcs, Deputy Chairman – Bruno Skulte. Chief conductors: Ādolfs Ābele, Arnolds Kalnājs, Bruno Skulte.

In 1956, a competition for new choral works was announced. In total, 11 new works were submitted, from which Jānis Mediņš received the prize for the cantata Maldu laikā (False Times, lyrics: Zinaida Lazda), Jānis Norvilis for the original a cappella song Zāļu diena 1916 (Midsummer Night Eve 1916, lyrics: Jānis Ezeriņš) and the male choir song Palagi (Sheets, lyrics: Jānis Ezeriņš)). During the festival, Tālivaldis Ķeniņš was also given a surprise award for his new piano quartet.

The main concert was introduced by the festival parade, during which prize-winning folk costumes were chosen. 850–900 singers participated in the concert, with an audience of 9 000–10 000 people. It should be noted that some of the choral concert songs were too complicated for the singers. Tālivaldis Kēniņš gave his assessment of the technical complexity after the concert: “The combined choir concert, in its massiveness, could not essentially attain the desired technical perfection, especially in the so-called difficult songs. So, for example, I could observe, in Biķerī (Goblet) by J Zālītis, a good third of the altos were gazing at the conductor wonderingly – not singing. In future, we should look at choosing songs for the concert programme that are not too difficult in sonorous, expressive and technical terms, not too troubling for either the singers or the audience. With all this I have to admit that this Latvian song festival in New York was, however, quite successful, for which we must thank, from the heart, the singers, conductors, all the artists and organisers. They brought Latvians together again in heartfelt links under the auspice of Latvian sounds, not only wishing to see each other again and listen to Latvian songs, but, with their deepest feelings, to send their greetings and sacred gratitude to their ever-beloved fatherland.” (Bērzkalns, Valentīns. Latvian Song Festivals in Exile. 1968. pp204-206)

Main events: fine art exhibition with 94 artists with 278 works from 11 different countries; handicraft show with 64 craftspeople; cultural conference; evening of new works; writers’ parade; sports competitions.

Andrejs Jansons remembers the festival: “The 1958 Song Festival in New York. It was terribly hot, humid and the street vendors walking around the concert venues had learned to say “Cold beer, cold beer!” in Latvian. And tellingly, the contrast between Bruno Skulte, who had huge gestures and such a thrilling [approach], while Ābele, like this – was conducting with small finger movements – and the big choir found them quite difficult to follow.” (Song. Festivals. Life. Stories about Latvian song festivals abroad.” Latvians Abroad Museum and Research Centre.)

IIIrd All-Latvian Song Festival in USA, Cleveland, 30 August – 2 September 1963

Chairman of the organising committee – Kārlis Avens, Deputy Chairman – Teofils Cirķelis. Chief conductors: Arvīds Purvs, Arnolds Kalnājs, Bruno Skulte. Initially, Jānis Cīrulis was appointed but did not live to experience this festival (died on 13 February 1962) and was replaced by Arvīds Purvs.

The main choir concert was held in the Public Auditorium, with 1 000 singers taking part and an audience of 10 000 people. The concert was introduced by a short parade. During the concert, there was a ceremonial moment when the conductor Roberts Zuika presented the chief conductors the conductor’s baton from the 1st All-Latvian Song Festival, sent by Professor Ādolfs Ābele.

Established traditions remained unchanged this year. In 1960, a competition for a cantata, an a cappella song and solo song or piano music was announced. Three composers participated in the competition with 15 pieces. Prizes were awarded to four a cappella songs: Jānis Norvilis’ Debesu kalējs (Heaven’s Blacksmith, lyrics: Vilis Cedriņš) and Trimdinieks (Exile, lyrics: Jānis Rainis), Eduards Šēnfelds’ Dzimtenē (In my Homeland, lyrics: Kārlis Skalbe) and Dziesmu vairogs (Shielded by Songs, lyrics: Jānis Veselis). Another competition was announced only for cantatas, where Eduards Šēnfelds was awarded a certificate of recognition for the cantata Zeme (Land). In 1962, a competition for cantata lyrics was launched. Awards were given to Valda Moora, Vilis Lesiņš and Augusts Silarājs.

Main events: fine art exhibition at the Public Auditorium featuring 81 artists with 159 works; exhibition of craftspeople; local theatre performance of Rūda (Redhead, Mārtiņš Zīverts); Jāzeps Vītols’ concert dedicated to the composer’s centenary; writers’ event; grand dance performance with 320-340 participants, with 12 dances (choreographed and directed by Voldemārs Dzelme and Austra Linde); ethnographic performance Latviešu senās kāzu paražas (Ancient Latvian Wedding Customs) arranged by Lilija Gleške; sports competitions and people’s festival.

“I listen to an olden folk song,
Where is the song’s cradle?
In God’s breath, in the fire,
Where the eternal song burns red?

It has neither start, nor end,
Time can’t exhaust it –
It will not lie down in the grave
Nor be silenced by a blade of anguish.

Oh song, you have carried us over centuries of bottomless abysses,
Who were those who sang
Wailed some dark castle mound –
As it fell to a hail of enemy arrows,
With no sun in the evening
Who were those who sang – rustles from the lord’s stooped hayricks,
They are all orphans
A sad song, orphans’ song, once again exhales the people’s bane in ancient words.
Obeyers of the harsh lord
Song, you inspired us, were our people’s yearning in the green garden of Paradise,
Where the red-and-white flag is released over freedom’s tombs.
Will once again lead us to the defeat of our ancestral freedom song on the horizon
In the yards of free people – laying death over our breasts in the struggle?

Song, oh song, raise us
to face God –
Praying will there ever be an end
To our people’s desperate road?
Song, oh song, raise us
to face God.


(Andrejs Eglītis. Song. Dedicated to 3rd American All-Latvian Song Festival. Stockholm, August 1963. From: Cirķelis, Teofils. 3rd US Latvian Song Festival programme: Cleveland, Ohio, 30 and 31 August, 1 and 2 September 1963, p 9)

IVth All-Latvian Song Festival in USA, Cleveland, 30 August – 2 September 1968

Chairman of the organising committee – Kārlis Avens. Chief conductors: Arnolds Kalnājs, Jānis Kalniņš, Jānis Norvilis, Bruno Skulte, Roberts Zuika.

The main choir concert took place in the Public Auditorium, introduced by a procession of the choir. Main events: art exhibition; sacred music concert; young people’s fireplace evening; theatre performance of Ugunī (In the Fire, Rūdolfs Blaumanis); grand folk-dance performance; new works’ concert; writers’ event; Lilija Gleške’s folk performance Atvadības (Farewells).

Vth All-Latvian Song Festival in USA, Cleveland, 31 August – 3 September 1973

This song festival was dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Ist All-Latvian Song Festival. Honorary Chairman of the organising committee – Kārlis Avens, Chairman – Edvīns Auzenbergs, Deputy Chairman – Zigurds Reineks. Chief conductors: Ernests Brusubārdis II, Arnolds Kalnājs, Jānis Kalniņš, Arvīds Purvs, Kaspars Svenne (Australia), Roberts Zuika.

The main choir concert took place in the Public Auditorium, introduced by a procession of the choir. Main events: new Latvian dance performance; fine and applied art exhibition; sacred music concert; theatrical performances Pazudušais dēls (Prodigal Son, Rūdolfs Blaumanis) and Galma gleznotājs (The Court Artist, Anšlavs Eglītis); Umurkumurs II event; sports competitions; writers’ event; grand folk-dance performance; Latvian symphonic music concert; Lilija Gleške’s folk performance Jāņu nakts (Midsummer Night).

VIth All-Latvian Song Festival in USA, Boston, 30 June – 4 July 1978

Chairman of the organising committee – Jānis Bībelnieks, Deputy Chairman – Akselis Mangulis. Chief conductors: Jānis Austrums, Roberts Balodis, Ernst Brusubārdis II, Ingrīda Gutberga, Arvīds Purvs, Roberts Zuika.

The main choir concert took place at the Boston Garden arena. It was introduced by the festival parade. Main events: theatre performances Skroderdienas Silmačos (The Tailor Came to Silmači, Rūdolfs Blaumanis) and Sprīdītis (Anna Brigadere); craftspeople’s exhibition; the Latvian Legion in pictures (slideshow), songs and narrations; fine arts and applied art exhibition; Lilija Gleške’s folk song concert; new Latvian dance performance; Brothers Graši concert; Kolibri (Humming bird) ensemble concert; Latvian Writers’ Union Evening; commemoration of 60th anniversary of Latvia’s independence; grand folk-dance performance; sacred music concert; cabaret evening; Portlandes Dzintars (Amber), Čikāgas piecīši (Chicago Five) and Ilmārs Dzenis & Co concerts; sports competitions; writers’ morning; symphonic music concert.

VIIth All-Latvian Song Festival in USA, Milwaukee, 30 June – 5 July 1983

Chairman of the organising committee – Ēriks Krūmiņš, Deputy Chairman – V. Gailāns. Chief conductors: Ernests Brusubārdis II, Daire Cilne, Imants Mežaraups, Arvīds Purvs, Roberts Zuika.

The main choir concert took place on West Kilbourn Avenue, introduced by the festival parade. Main events: fine arts and applied art exhibition, photography exhibition, philatelic and numismatic exhibition, exhibition of stage designs by Ēvalds Dajevskis; The Latvian Soldier exhibition; children’s activities; sacred music concert; Lilija Gleške’s folk performance Senās kāzas (Ancient-time Wedding); Concert performance of Alfrēds Kalniņš’ opera Baņuta (conductor Andrejs Jansons); folk dance competitions; chamber music concert (conductor Ernests Brusubārdis II); symphonic music concert (conductors Paul Polivnick, Alfrēds Štrombergs); writers’ morning; new dance display; sports competitions; puppet show; popular music concert; grand folk-dance performance Dejā viju Latviju (I Wove Latvia from Dance); performance of Homo Novus (a musical in two acts based on the novel by Anšlavs Eglītis); Čikāgas piecīši (Chicago Five) concert; Trīs no Pārdaugavas (Pardaugava Three) concert; cabaret evening; literary performance; young artists’ concert; dance evening; Melodija chamber ensemble concert; high-school choir concert.

VIIIth All-Latvian Song Festival in USA, Indianapolis, 29 June – 4 July 1988

Chairman of the organising committee – Konstantīns Sventeckis, Vice Chairpersons – Voldemārs Meļķis and Jānis Sventeckis. Chief conductors: Ernests Brusubārdis II, Vizma Maksiņa, Lolita Ritmane, Aija Vintere-Brugmane.

The main choir concert took place in the Market Square arena, introduced by the song festival procession. Main events: sacred music concert (conductors Rūdolfs Kalnmals, Arvīds Purvs); chamber choir Auseklis (Morning Star) concert (musical directors Ralfs Augstroze and Imants Mežaraups); rock music concert; theatre performance Pa aizaugušām takām (Along Overgrown Trails, Gunārs Grieze); instrumental music concert; writers’ event Tēvzemei un brīvībai (Fatherland and Freedom); new Latvian dance review; vocal music concert; Čikāgas piecīši (Chicago Five) concert; sports competitions; Latvian ballet evening; musical Gundega (from Anna Brigadere’s play Princese Gundega un Karalis Brusubārda (Princess Gundega and King Brusubārdis)); cabaret evening; Ausma Līdace popular music ensemble concert; grand folk-dance performance Tautai – dejai saules mūžu (For the People and Dance – Eternal Life); open-air rock concert; fine and applied art exhibition; amber exhibition; The Latvian Soldier – exhibition; souvenir and Latvian product market, bookstand.

“Oh, Latvian people, say thanks to God
For your gorgeous vault of songs.
Whether you are lost in the sea of darkness,
or playing in the morning light
Thank God for your songs.

And your song will accompany you,
Whether you are sacredly ploughing your land,
Or war rages over your homeland –
When storms blow you to strange shores
Your song will accompany you.

Thanks be to God for your songs
And remember this, Latvian people,
When you are being persecuted and slaughtered
Your spirit will lift the song high
And will never bow to foreign powers!”

(Vigo Burģis. Dievam pateicies (Thank God). 8th Song Festival in Indianapolis. From: Raidonis, Alberts. Eighth All-Latvian song festival programme: Indianapolis 29 June to 4 July 1988. p 31)

Xth All-Latvian Song Festival in USA, Cleveland, 25 July – 7 August 1997

Honorary Chairman of the organising committee – Kārlis Avens, Chairperson – Silvija Rutenberga, Deputy Chairpersons – Nora Balode, Vilmārs Kukainis and Ojārs Mantenieks. Chief conductors: Aija Brugmane, Ernests Brusubārdis III, Andrejs Jansons, Andris Jansons, Vizma Maksiņa, Arvīds Purvs, Edgars Račevskis, Roberts Zuika.

The main choir concert took place in the Public Auditorium. Main events: sacred music concert; chamber music concert; musical Laimes reibonī (Giddy with Happines, from the play Ļaunais gars (Evil Spirit) by Rūdolfs Blaumanis); Toronto Latvian Society Saturday School 6th Class theatre performance of Sprīdītis (Anna Brigadere); Jānis Tīdemanis’ 100th anniversary exhibition; grand folk-dance performance Mūsu pulkā nāc, jautru danci sāc! (Come Join in, Start a Merry Dance!, choreography Iveta Asone, music Gunārs Ordelovskis); new dance review Latvju deja saules sagšu auž (Latvian Dance Weaces a Wrap for the Sun); writers’ event Vārdi, veidoli un vārsmas (Words, Forms and Verse); young people’s concert; Čikāgas piecīši (Chicago Five) concert; folk costume display; Teiksma (Legend) ensemble concert.

XIth All-Latvian Song Festival in USA, Chicago, 18-21 July 2002

Chairman of the organising committee – Ilmārs Bergmanis, Deputy Chairman – Aivars Inka. Honorary chief conductor – Roberts Zuika. Chief conductors: Aija Vintere-Brugmane, Ernests Brusubārdis III, Daira Cilne, Monika Daukste-Strautniece, Guna Kalmīte-Skujiņa, Silvija Klaviņa-Barshney, Gunta Plostniece, Arvīds Purvs, Māris Sirmais, Māra Vārpa.

The main choir concert took place at the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Pavilion Arena. Main events: young people’s concert; art and craft exhibition; folk costume show; Kamēr… choir concert (conductors Māris Sirmais, Ainārs Rubiķis); dance and dancing-game evening; new dance review (directed by Baiba Liepiņa, Sandra Bērzupe); musical theatre Lolitas brīnumputns (Lolita’s Magic Bird, Anna Brigadere); outstanding artists’ concert; sacred music concert; Čikāgas piecīši (Chicago Five) anniversary concert; Prāta vētra (Brainstorm) concert; sports competitions; writers’ morning; grand folk-dance performance Deja laika solī (Dance in Step with Time, 600 dancers from USA and Canada participate, as well as the Jūrmalnieki and Lini music ensembles).

XIIth All-Latvian Song Festival in USA, Indianapolis, 4-8 July 2007

The festival motto: Dziesma, deja – latvju seja (Song, Dance – How Latvians Face Life). More than 5 000 Latvians from the US and other countries arrive for the festival, including from Latvia. Honorary chief conductor – Arvīds Purvs. Chief conductors: Aija Vintere-Brugmane, Ernests Brusubārdis III, Ivars Cinkuss, Terēze Inveiss, Andrejs Jansons, Ingrīda Jennings, Vizma Maksiņa, Gunta Plostniece, Imants Ramiņš, Māra Vārpa.

In her welcoming address, Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga acknowledged: “Dziesma, deja – latvju seja, the catchphrase chosen by the US All-Latvian Song Festival is truly apposite, as it is amazing how all over the world, Latvians become heir to and maintain their folk songs and dances.”(Hāznere, Karīna. Sadziedāšanās, sadancošana un gavilēšana – Singing, Dancing and Jubilation at the XIIth All-Latvian Latvian Song Festival. Laiks, No 28, 21 July 2007)

XIII All-Latvian Song Festival in USA, Milwaukee, 4-8 July 2012

Honorary Chairman of the organising committee – Ēriks Krūmiņš, Chairman – Andris Kursietis, Vice-chairmen – Ernests Brusubārdis III and Vincents Dindzāns. Chief conductors: Pauls Berkolds, Aija Vintere-Brugmane, Ernests Brusubārdis II, Ernests Brusubārdis III, Andrejs Jansons, Ingrīda Jennings, Vizma Maksiņa, Gunta Plostniece, Māra Vārpa, Jānis Zirnis.

The main choir concert took place at the Milwaukee Theatre. Main events: Male choir concert; Čikāgas piecīši (Chicago Five) concert; performance of Hotel Paradiso (author and director Andra Berkolda); sacred music concert; new dance review; Ogre mixed choir concert; grand folk-dance performance Šalci, mana Daugava! (Sigh, my Daugava!); performance by middle-generation dance group Mārupieši; art exhibition: The XIIth All-Latvian song festiva; applied art exhibition; concert by Labvēlīgais tips (Congenial Fellow) and Pēdējais vilciens (Last Train); writers’ event; concert by Iļģi and Adam Zahl; folk costume review.

XIVth All-Latvian Song and Dance Festival in USA, Baltimore, 29 June to 3 July 2017

Chair of the Song Festival Organising Committee – Marisa Gudrā, music chair – Krisīte Skare, folk dance chair – Astrīda Liziņa. Chief conductors: Kaspars Ādamsons, Pauls Berkolds, Ernests Brusubārdis III, Andrejs Jansons, Anita Kupriss, Vizma Maksiņa, Laura Padega Zamura, Gunta Plostniece. Festival motto: Towards Latvia’s centenary.

The main combined choir concert took place in the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, and the grand folk-dance performance in the Royal Farms Arena.

Main events: sacred music concert; chamber music concert; concert by Latvian Academy of Culture mixed choir Sōla; new dance review: Pa dejas ceļu nākotnē (Down dance’s future path); guest performance of Ceļā uz mājām (Going home) by Latvia’s National Theatre; performance of Emīls un Berlīnes zēni (Emil and the Detectives) by the San Francisco Theatre Workshop; writers’ morning; children’s concert Mēs bijāmi spēlmanīši (We were wee players); exhibition of Latvian art, as well as Latvian folk and original costumes; evening with Washington Latvian group AKRA, dance evening Dziedāsim, dancosim, svētki ir klāt! (Let’s sing, dance, the festival is here!); popular music programme by Daumants Kalniņš Skan mūzika Tev un man! (Music is playing for you and me!); PRINTFUL open stage; American Latvian Youth Association ALJA ball Roks un Rotaļas (Rock music and dancing games); Festival ball Ceļā uz simtgadi! (Towards the centenary!).

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West Coast Latvian Song Festivals

Ist West Coast Latvian Song Festival in Seattle 2-5 July 1962

Chairman of the organising committee – Pēteris Pētersons. Chief conductors: Pēteris Galiņš, Arvīds Grants, Valdemārs Ozoliņš.

IInd West Coast Latvian Song Festival in Portland 2–5 July 1965

Chairman of the organising committee – Juris Krīgens, Deputy Chairman – Andris Ritmanis. Chief conductors: Arvīds Berķis, Leonards Bērziņš, Pēteris Galiņš, Bruno Skulte. The main choir concert took place in the City Auditorium. Before the concert – the festival parade. Main events: sacred music concert; performance of Jaunas asinis (New Blood, Valdemārs Kārkliņš); Volfgangs Dārziņš memorial concert; performance of Balta nāca tautu meita (White came the Daughter of the People) by Pērkonītis (Thunder) dance group; writers’ morning; works of west-coast and mid-west painters; works of craftsman Stefans Bercis; works by amber jeweller Ričards Rubenis; handicraft display; song-festival history display; Latvian press display.

IIIrd West Coast Latvian Song Festival in San Francisco, 30 June – 4 July 1967

Chairman of the organising committee – Valdemārs Švāns, Deputy Chairman – Jānis Taube. Chief conductors: Leonards Bērziņš, Pēteris Galiņš, Bruno Skulte. The main choir concert took place in the City Auditorium. Before the concert – the festival parade. Main events: arts and crafts exhibition; Latvian architecture exhibition; Latvian philatelic exhibition; exhibition of Latvian paintings; concert of Latvian compositions; theatrical performance Āksts (Jester, Mārtiņš Zīverts); folk-dance performance Vasaras saulgriežos (Summer Solstice); writers’ morning.

IVth West Coast Latvian Song Festival in Los Angeles, 30 June – 6 July 1970

Chairman of the organising committee – Helmuts Brauķis, Deputy Chairman – Vilis Lapenieks. Chief conductors: Arvīds Berķis, Oļģerts Bištēviņš, Ernests Brusubārdis II, Pēteris Galiņš, Andrejs Kurmiņš. The main choir concert was held in the Pasadena City Auditorium. Main events: writers’ event; arts and crafts exhibitions; theatre performance of Minhauzena precības (Munchausen’s Wedding, Mārtiņš Zīverts); Čikāgas piecīši (Chicago Five) concert; music concert; folk performance Skaista mana tēvu zeme (Beautiful Land of My Fathers, arranged and directed by Vilis Lapenieks).

Vth West Coast Latvian Song Festival in Vancouver, 30 June – 4 July 1972

Chairman of the organising committee – Jānis Lielmežs. Chief conductors: Arvīds Berķis, Ernests Brusubārdis II, Pēterisis Galiņš, Jānis Kalniņš, Fanija Matīsa, Arvīds Purvs. The main choir concert took place at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Main events: writers’ event; 150th anniversary exhibition of the Latvian press; sacred music concert; theatre performance Zīmes smiltīs (Signs in the Sand, Artūrs Voitkus); Latvian symphonic music concert; folk-dance performance (directed by Valdis Garuts); young people’s competitions; young people’s concert; exhibition of paintings and fine arts; handicraft display.

VIth West Coast Latvian Song Festival in Seattle, 3–7 July 1975

Chairman of the organising committee – Miervaldis Janševics, Deputy Chairman – Zigurds Segliņš. Chief conductors: Ernests Brusubārdis II, Daira Cilne, Pēteris Galiņš, Fanija Matīsa, Arvīds Purvs, Brigita Ritmane-Ose. The main choir concert was held in the Seattle Opera House in the city centre. Main events: art exhibition; sacred music concert; Andris Kārkliņš’ concert; theatre performances of Bez siltām vakariņām (No Hot Dinner, Gunārs Grieze) and Sprīdītis (Anna Brigadere); young people’s concert; sports competitions; grand folk-dance performance Es mācēju danci vest (I Knew How to Lead the Dance, choreographer and director Irēne Beleičika); Trīs no Pārdaugavas (Three from Pardaugava) concert; writers’ event.

VIIth West Coast Latvian Song Festival in Los Angeles, 6-10 July 1977

Chairman of the organising committee – Jānis Taube. Chief conductors: Ernests Brusubārdis II, Daira Cilne, Pēteris Galiņš, Fanija Matīsa, Arvīds Purvs, Brigita Ritmane-Ose. The main choir concert took place in the Centre Auditorium. Before the concert – the festival parade. Main events: sacred music concert; popular music concert; young artists’ concert; theatre performance of Kas dārzā, kas dārzā (What’s in the Garden, Anšlavs Eglītis); writers’ event; soloists’ concert; ballet evening; cabaret; folk-dance performance; Larisa Mondrusa concert; fine arts and crafts exhibitions. The main choir concert took place in the Centre Auditorium. Before the concert – the festival parade. Main events: sacred music concert; popular music concert; young artists’ concert; theatre performance of Kas dārzā, kas dārzā (What’s in the Garden, Anšlavs Eglītis); writers’ event; soloists’ concert; ballet evening; cabaret; folk-dance performance; Larisa Mondrusa concert; fine arts and crafts exhibitions.

VIIIth West Coast Latvian Song Festival San Francisco 4–8 July 1979 Chairman of the organising committee – Justs Karlsons. Chief conductors: Vija Adamoviča, Daira Cilne, Pēteris Galiņš, Andrejs Jansons, Fanija Matīsa, Brigita Ritmane-Ose. The main choir concert took place in the Masonic auditorium. Main events: sacred music concert; Kolibri (Humming bird) ensemble concert; young people’s ensemble concert; theatrical performance Omartija kundze (Mrs O’Marty, Anšlavs Eglītis); folk-dance performance Saule, saule – zeme, zeme (Sun, Sun –Earth, Earth, director Aija Turaida); writers’ event; soloists’ concert; art and craft show.

IXth West Coast Latvian Song Festival in Portland, 30 June – 5 July 1982

Chairman of the organising committee – Justs Karlsons. Chief conductors: Vija Adamoviča, Daira Cilne, Pēteris Galiņš, Fanija Matīsa, Imants Mežaraups, Brigita Ritmane. The main choir concert was held at the Civil Auditorium. Before the concert – the festival parade. Main events: sacred music concert; exhibition of paintings and sculptures; art and craft show; soloists’ concert; writers’ event; performance Tu esi Portlendā, mans draugs (You are in Portland, my Friend, author Uldis Siliņš); theatrical performance Kade pārnāksi, bālēliņ? (When you Return, my Brother, author Uldis Siliņš); folk-dance performance (director Valdis Garuts)

Xth West Coast Latvian Song Festival in Vancouver, 3–7 July 1985

The festival was dedicated to the 150the anniversary of Krišjānis Barons. Chairman of the organising committee – Alberts Pūpols. Chief conductors: Vija Adamoviča, Daira Cilne, Pēteris Galiņš, Fanija Matīsa, Arvīds Purvs, Brigita Ritmane, Lolita Ritmane. The main choir concert took place at the Orpheum Theatre. Before the concert – a parade. Main events: art exhibition; sacred music concert; 2 x 2 (young people’s summer camp) concert; theatre performance of Vēstules no dzimtenes (Letters from the Homeland, Uldis Siliņš); cabaret Trīs draugi no Pārdaugavas (Three Friends from Pardaugava); folk-dance performance; soloists’ concert; writers’ event. Alberts Pūpols, Chairman of the organising committee: “We have come together to refresh our spirit in song, and songs, as always, unite us. At this festival, maybe a little more than in others, we celebrate the Father of our Dainas (folk songs) – Krišjānis Barons, born 150 years ago. He donated his life to Latvian dainas and was fully aware of their mystical effects on the Latvian soul because he himself was taken over by this power. Even at the end of his life he planted two oak trees, and we know what the oak means to Latvians in mythology. We cannot think about the song festival and Krišjānis Barons without quoting his own beautiful words: Don’t carve a rock for me, Don’t build me a monument: It has already been built from Latvian dainas And this national gold will not rust.” (Pelēns, Kārlis. 10th West Coast Latvian Song Festival: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, July 3-7, 1985. p 11)

XIth West Coast Latvian Song Festival in Los Angeles, 30 June – 5 July 1989

Chairman of the organising committee – Arnis Tūbelis. Chief conductors: Vija Adamoviča, Daira Cilne, Pēteris Galiņš, Kārlis Jurisons, Imants Kokars, Vizma Maksiņa, Lolita Ritmane. The main choir concert took place at the Terrace Theatre. Before the concert – the festival parade. Main events: folk-dance performance (choreographed by Nora Mičule); writers’ event; musical Tas vakars piektdienā (That Friday Evening, music: Lolita Ritmane, lyrics: Andris Ritmanis); art, amber and crafts exhibitions; Rasma Lielmane and Artūrs Ozoliņš chamber music concert; sacred music concert. Maija Irbēna reminisces: “And then in California, the Ave Sol choir from Latvia came to visit. They were fantastic! Their performance was not planned, but they were appearing somewhere on America’s West Coast. And then Gido Kokars [most likely, Imants Kokars, who was the conductor of the Ave Sol choir] said, We’ll meet soon! We’ll see you in free Latvia! And when he said it, the whole audience became so quiet. Everyone was in shock. That was the biggest surprise.” (Song. Festival. Life. Stories about Latvian Song Festivals abroad. Latvians Abroad Museum and Research Centre. 2015, p 75)

XIIth West Coast Latvian Song Festival in Seattle, 30 June – 5 July 1992

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XIIIth West Coast Latvian Song Festival in Los Angeles, 2-5 July 1999

Chairman of the organising committee – Valdis Pavlovskis, Deputy Chair – Silvija Tūbele. Chief conductors: Pauls Berkolds, Daire Cilne, Andis Garuts, Maija Riekstiņa, Brigita Ritmane, Lolita Ritmane, Laura Rokpelne-Mičule, Zinta Zariņa. Guests of honour – Fanija Matīsa, Pēteris Galiņš. The main choir concert took place at the Thousand Oaks arts centre. Main events: popular music concert Turp un atpakaļ (There and Back); musical comedy Trīnes grēki (Trīne’s Sins, Rūdolfs Blaumanis, music: Mendelis Bašs, lyrics: Voldemārs Pūce); children’s theatre Skudra un sienāzis (The Ant and the Grasshopper, directed by Andrejs Zinbergs); sacred music concert; folk-dance performance (directed by Inese Raistere); poets’ and writers’ event; art exhibitions.

XIVth West Coast Latvian Song Festival in San Francisco, 28 August – 1 September 2003

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XVIth West Coast Latvian Song Festival in San Jose, 4-6 September 2015

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Uz_augšu

Arts Festivals in Australia

Between 1947 and 1952, the second largest number of Latvians leaving the refugee camps in Germany settled in Australia’s largest cities – Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra. So Australia became the second most notable country for exiled Latvians after the United States. Here, too, Latvians actively formed their own local organisations and developed social, cultural and political activities. Schools, libraries, theatrical ensembles, choirs and double quartets, folk-dance groups and young people’s circles began to form under these organisations. The conductor Tikla Ilstere settled in Melbourne, and by 1949 had already founded her first mixed choir with 40 members. This gradually led to the development of choral traditions, theatrical and other artistic activities. Australia’s Latvians began to actively seek the opportunity to meet on a larger scale. This was based on the desire to feel communal joy and emotion – feel Latvian feelings, think Latvian thoughts, speak Latvian, thus confirming one’s allegiance to Latvia and being Latvian. For Latvians living in Australia too, the emotions experienced at Latvian song festivals have always been in their minds. However, singing did not seem to be enough. They wanted to hear what the people were saying, what writers and poets were writing and thinking, to find out what was happening among Latvians, to discuss, evaluate the present and future prospects. Consumed by these feelings, Australia’s Latvians have been holding an annual Arts Festival since 1951 (and are still holding them today). They were held and still take place during the Christmas and New Year period, and from the diversity of events, can be compared to days of song and even song festivals. The development of the arts festivals was supported by the Australian Latvian Charity Society. Every year, the Arts Festival consistently hosted combined choir concerts, folk-dance performances, exhibitions, theatre performances, young people’s and children’s events, writers’ events, sports competitions, etc. The main goal of Arts Festival is to maintain the Latvian spirit, strengthen the sense of Latvian being and thinking. The belief evolved that it would be possible to not only preserve national cultural heritage through active cultural efforts, but also, by looking carefully at the present and the future and persevering in creativity, the Latvians who had travelled to Australia would not only be able to maintain their independence, but also themselves. A total of 56 Arts Festival wre held between 1951 and 2017. Jānis Čečiņš reminisces about Australian Latvian arts festivals: “When I was about eight years old, I started going to Latvian Saturday School in Sydney. Latvian society was very active. Some 5 000 Latvians had arrived in Sydney and its surroundings, [the period from 1947 to the early 1950s]. There was a lot of activity. The first thing I remember was the Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Sydney, which could be around 1956 or 1957. I remember the performance of Skroderdienas Silmačos. And as a child I really loved the exploding furnace. I think the audience was some 600 or 700 strong.” (Song. Festival. Life. Stories about Latvian Song Festivals abroad. Latvians Abroad Museum and Research Centre. 2015 p 110)

1st Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Sydney, 28-30 December 1951 Chairman of the Arts Festival organising committee – Felikss Brūvelis. Arts festival events were built around the choir concert in the Conservatory Hall. Žanis Smiltnieks was appointed as the choir conductor and prepared two choirs – the Australian Latvian Charity Society and Scheyville Latvian choirs. Given the short period of time, they could only learn five songs: Jāzeps Vītols’ Gaismas pils (Castle of Light) and Dievozolu trijotne (Divine Oak Trio), Andrejs Jurjāns’ cantata Tēvijai (For the Fatherland) and the Latvian and British anthems. Pianist Eižens Freimanis, soloists E. Ārone and Ernests Māršaus, and the Imanta double quartet also took part in the concert. There was also a writers’ day and a theatre performance of People at Sea by J. B. Priestley. “The arts festival performance required a play by a Latvian author, but, it seems, Cenzūra (Censorship, M. Zīverts) arrived in Sydney too late, and for other, totally technical reasons, the theatre leadership was forced to use the work of a foreign author. This does not diminish the importance of the performance, however, because it was prepared by a Latvian theatre, a Latvian director and performed by Latvian actors who have every right to represent Latvian culture – Latvian dramatic art … I should add that Priestley’s work is also very similar to that of our Zīverts: the same wisdom, the witty dialogue, the search for problems.” (Dulmanis, Voldemārs. Latvian Arts Festivals in Australia, 1951-1970. 1971, p 21)

2nd Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Melbourne, 26-31 December 1952 Chairman of the organising committee – Gerhards Brēmanis. The main goal of this festival was to strengthen the national spirit of the Latvian exile community, and one of the main underlying ideas was to ensure that Latvian young people could receive as much Latvian spirit as possible. Consequently, the festival paid particular attention to the young people’s programme. The combined choir concert took place in the Melbourne Town Hall. More than 100 singers took part with an audience of 1 700 people. The combined choir was conducted by Meta Krišjāne-Vīgnere, Kaspars Svenne, Ernests Māršaus and Žanis Smiltnieks. Main events: art and crafts exhibition with works by 19 Latvian artists; men’s double quartet Imanta concert (conductor Jānis Puisēns); lecture and writers’ morning; soloists’ concert; performance of Princese Gundega un karalis Brusubārda (Princess Gundega and King Brusubārdis, Anna Brigadere); young people’s writing competitions; sports championships.

3rd Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Adelaide, 25-31 December 1953 Chairman of the organising committee – Voldemārs Dulmanis. The combined choir concert was held in the Adelaide Town Hall. 120 singers took part with an audience of more than 1 200 people. The choir was conducted by Meta Krišjāne-Vīgnere, Kaspars Svenne, Kārlis Nunavs and Arvīds Kants. Main events: arts and crafts exhibition; folk-dancing competition; performance of Sprīdītis (Anna Brigadere); writers’ day; soloists’ concert; young people’s event culminating in a performance of the ballet Pasaciņa (Fairytale).

4th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Brisbane, 24-30 December 1954 Chairman of the organising committee – Jānis Kūkums. The combined choir concert was conducted by Voldemārs Rullis and Ēriks Ozoliņš. Main events: arts and crafts exhibition; young people’s art exhibition; folk dance and ballet evening; young people’s morning, with young people sharing their performances of songs, dances, music, recitations and gymnastics; soloists’ concert; writers’ morning; theatre performance of Minhauzena precības (Munchausen’s Wedding, Mārtiņš Zīverts).

5th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Sydney, 26-30 December 1955 Chairman of the organising committee – Kārlis Nīcis. The concert was conducted by Voldemārs Rullis, Ēriks Ozoliņš, Meta Krišjāne-Vīgnere. The combined choir concert took place at the Sydney Town Hall. 112 singers took part with an audience of 1 900 people. Main events: exhibition of paintings and handicrafts; young people’s afternoon of song and dance; concert of works by Latvian composers; theatre performance of Skroderdienas Silmačos (The Tailor Came to Silmači, Rūdolfs Blaumanis); young people’s and children’s day.

6th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Melbourne, 26 December, 1956 – 3 January 1957 Chairman of the organising committee – Edgars Dunsdorfs. Combined choir conductors: Meta Krišjāne-Vīgnere, Kaspars Svenne and Voldemārs Rullis. The combined choir concert took place at the Melbourne Town Hall. It was attended by 100 singers and an audience of 1 700 people. Main events: performance of Seši mazi bundzenieki (Six Little Drummer Boys, Ādolfs Alunans); cultural exhibition; art and craft exhibition; young people’s concert; gymnastics and folk dance demonstrations; writers’ evening; new works’ concert.

7th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Adelaide, 23-31 December 1957 Chairman of the organising committee – Kārlis Ābele. The combined choir concert took place in the Adelaide Town Hall. There were 145 singers in the mixed choir and 85 singers in the combined male choir. An audience of 1 300 people attended the concert. The concert was conducted by Kaspars Svenne, Voldemārs Rullis and Jānis Puisēns. Meta Krišjāne-Vīgnere was also invited to be a conductor, but could not because of a serious illness (passed away on 15 January 1958). The most attractive and ethnographically correct folk costumes also received awards at the choir concert. Main events: arts and crafts exhibition; young people’s concert; performance of Maija un Paija (Anna Brigadere); performance of Uguns un nakts (Fire and Night, Jānis Rainis); folk dance competition and demonstrations; literary afternoon.

8th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Brisbane, 26-31 December 1958 Chairman of the organising committee – Jānis Kūkums. The combined choir concert took place in the Brisbane Town Hall. There were 94 singers in the mixed choir and 53 singers in the combined male choir. The concert was conducted by Ēriks Ozoliņš, Kaspars Svenne, Voldemārs Rullis and Jānis Puisēns. Main events: art and craft show; theatre performance of Ugunī (In the Fire, Rūdolfs Blaumanis); young people’s concert; concert commemorating Jāzeps Vītols; young people’s afternoon; folk-dance and song evening.

9th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Sydney, 25-30 December 1959 Chairman of the organising committee – Eduards Šmugājs. The combined choir concert took place in the Sydney Town Hall. There were 161 singers in the mixed choir and 77 singers in the combined male choir. The concert was conducted by Voldemārs Rullis, Viktors Bendrups, Ēriks Ozoliņš, Kaspars Svenne, Jānis Puisēns. Main events: art and craft show; performance of Lolitas brīnumputns (Lolita’s Magic Bird, Anna Brigadere); poetry evening; children’s and young people’s morning; performance of Ganu zēns un jods (The Shepherd Boy and the Devil, Uldis Siliņš); soloists’ concert; folk-dance performance; young people’s concert; lectures with debates.

10th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Melbourne, 25 December 1960 – 1 January 1961 Chairman of the organising committee – Ēriks Līdums. The combined choir concert was held at the Sydney Myer Music Bowl. There were 170 singers in the mixed choir and 60 singers in the combined male choir, with an audience of 2 200 people. The concert was conducted by Ernests Maršaus, Viktors Bendrups, Ēriks Ozoliņš, Kaspars Svenne, Jānis Puisēns, Edmunds Smalkais. Main events: exhibition of paintings; applied art exhibition; sacred music concert; young people’s concert; folk dance evening; soloists’ concert; theatre performance of Piebalgas audēji (The Weavers of Piebalga, Arveds Švābe); writers’ afternoon; display: 10 Years of Latvian Art.

11th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Adelaide, 25-31 December 1961 Chairman of the organising committee – Jānis Bogens. The combined choir concert took place at the Odeon cinema. 300 singers took part a with an audience of 2 000 people. The concert was conducted by Kaspars Svenne, Viktors Bendrups, Voldemars Rullis, Jānis Puisēns. Main events: fine and applied art exhibition; soloists’ concert; theatrical performance of Karaliene Jāna (Queen Jāna, Anna Brigadere); folk dance evening; theatrical performance of Ķīnas vāze (Chinese Vase, Mārtiņš Zīverts); young people’s concert; display: Latvian Culture in Australia in 1961.

12th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Brisbane, 26-31 December 1962 Chairman of the organising committee – Jānis Kūkums. The combined choir concert took place in the Brisbane Town Hall. There were 117 singers in the mixed choir and 33 singers in the combined male choir, with an audience of 550 people. The concert was conducted by Ēriks Ozoliņš, Viktors Bendrups, Voldemars Rullis. Main events: exhibition of paintings and applied art; young people’s concert; young people’s writing competition; folk-dance performance; theatrical performance Āksts (Jester, Mārtiņš Zīverts).

13th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Sydney, 27-31 December 1963 Chairman of the organising committee – Imants Sveilis. The combined choir concert took place at the Sydney Town Hall. 240 singers took part with an audience of 2 000 people. The concert was conducted by Voldemārs Rullis, Ēriks Ozoliņš, Viktors Bendrups, Kaspars Svenne, Jānis Puisēns, Ernests Māršaus. Main events: exhibition of paintings; arts and crafts exhibition; exposition: Toreiz un tagad (Then and Now); theatre performance of Indulis un Ārija (Jānis Rainis); new works’ concert; folk-dance performance Lai rīb tautu istabiņa<> T(Let the People’s Room Thunder, produced by K. Gulbergs); young people’s afternoon; ballet afternoon; soloists’ concert.

14th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Perth, 26-30 December 1964 Chairman of the organising committee – Voldemārs Balodis. The combined choir concert took place at the Playhouse Theatre. 107 singers took part. The concert was conducted by Ansis Sprancis and Kaspars Svenne. Main events: exhibition of paintings and applied art; writers’ afternoon; theatre performance of Kazanovas mētelis (Casanova’s Coat, Anšlavs Eglītis); folk-dance performance; young people’s afternoon.

15th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Melbourne, 26-31 December 1965 Chairman of the organising committee – Teodors Silkalns. The combined choir concert took place in the Melbourne Town Hall. 220 singers took part with an audience of 2 200 people. The concert was conducted by Viktors Bendrups, Voldemars Rullis, Ēriks Ozoliņš, Kaspars Svenne, Jānis Puisēns, Ernests Māršaus. Main events: young people’s concert; soloists’ concert; applied art and Jānis Rainis commemorative exhibition; folk-dance performance; theatre performance of Ugunī (In the Fire, Rūdolfs Blaumanis).

16th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Christchurch, 26-31 December 1966 Chairman of the organising committee – Oskars Puķīte. The combined choir concert took place at the Kashmir High School. 67 singers took part with an audience of 320 people. The concert was conducted by Kaspars Svenne and Aivars Gavars. Main events: young people’s concert; art and applied arts exhibition; discussion afternoon; soloists’ concert; literary afternoon; theatre performance of Ļaunais gars (Evil Spirit, Rūdolfs Blaumanis); folk-dance performance.

17th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Adelaide 26-30 December 1967 Chairman of the organising committee – Bruno Krūmiņš. The combined choir concert took place in Hindmarsh Town Hall. There were 250 singers in the mixed choir and 87 singers in the combined male choir. The concert was conducted by Kaspars Svenne, Viktors Bendrups, Jānis Puisēns. Main events: theatre performance of Trakais Juris (Wild Juris, Mārtiņš Zīverts); young people’s concert and ballet; fine and applied art exhibition; selected music concert; folk-dance performance; theatre performance of Sprīdītis (Anna Brigadere).

18th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Sydney, 28-31 December 1968 Chairman of the organising committee – Pēteris Laiviņš. The combined choir concert took place in the Sydney Town Hall. 349 singers took part with an audience of 2 450 people. The concert was conducted by Voldemārs Rullis, Ēriks Ozoliņš, Viktors Bendrups, Jānis Puisēns, Kaspars Svenne. Main events: theatre performance of Princese Gundega un karalis Brusubārda (Princess Gundega and King Brusubārda, Anna Brigadere) and Rīga dimd, (Rīga Resounds, Mārtiņš Zīverts); fine and applied art exhibition; Latvian philately exhibition; soloists’ concert; grand folk-dance performance Jāņu vakars (Midsummer Night); children’s and young people’s morning; abridged performance of award-winning fairy-tale play Didzis un Sargeņģelis (Didzis and the Guardian Angel, Uldis Siliņš).

19th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Perth, 26-30 December 1969 Chairman of the organising committee – Jānis Grīnvalds. The combined choir concert took place at the Playhouse Theatre, with 120 singers. The concert was conducted by Ansis Sprancis, Viktors Bendrups. Main events: applied art exhibition; fine arts exhibition; soloists’ concert; writers’ afternoon; theatrical performances of Skarbā piekraste (The Harsh Coast, from the novel Teika par septiņiem kuģiem (A Tale of Seven Ships) by Valdemārs Kārkliņš) and Kurrpurrū (Mārtiņš Zīverts); folk-dance performance Pļaujas svētki (Harvest Festival); young people’s afternoon.

20th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Brisbane, 26-31 December 1970 Chairman of the organising committee – Hugo Okšis. The combined choir concert took place at Brisbane Town Hall. 130 singers took part with an audience of 540 people. The concert was conducted by Viktors Bendrups, Voldemārs Rullis, Ēriks Ozoliņš. Main events: soloists’ concert; young people’s afternoon; fine and applied art exhibition; theatre performance of Pēdējā laiva (The Last Boat, Mārtiņš Zīverts); folk dance evening; writers’ event; lecture afternoon.

21st Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Melbourne, 26-31 December 1971 Chairman of the organising committee – Ziedonis Apsītis. The combined choir concert took place at Melbourne Town Hall. 200 singers took part with an audience of 1 900 people. The concert was conducted by Viktors Bendrups, Haralds Rutups, Kaspars Svenne, Voldemārs Rullis, Ēriks Ozoliņš. Main events: graphic art exhibition; applied art exhibition; opening concert; young people’s event; theatrical performance of Bezkaunīgie veči (Cheeky Chaps, Anšlavs Eglītis); folk-dance performance; lectures.

22nd Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Adelaide, 25-31 December 1972 Chairman of the organising committee – Miervaldis Bumbieris. The combined choir concert was held at the Apollo Sports Hall. 260 singers took part with an audience of 1 300 people. The concert was conducted by Kaspars Svenne, Ēriks Ozoliņš, Viktors Bendrups, Haralds Rutups. Main events: A Latvian Museum – two rooms featured books, paintings, ceramics, folk costumes, postage stamps and currency, with separate exhibitions of Latvian soldiers’photographs, documents, insignia and uniforms; exhibition of examples from the music archive of Ēriks and Margarita Biezaitis; fine and applied art exhibitions; young people’s afternoon; opening concert; theatre performance of Mačs Priekulis (Aina Vāvere); folk-dance performance; cabaret afternoon.

23rd Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Sydney, 25-31 December 1973 Chairman of the organising committee – Vidvuds Koškins. The combined choir concert took place at the Sydney Opera House. 420 singers took part with an audience of 2 700 people. The concert was conducted by Haralds Rutups, Viktors Bendrups, Ēriks Ozoliņš, Voldemars Rullis, Edgars Kalums. Main events: young people’s afternoon; fine art exhibition; applied art exhibition; opening concert; theatre performance of Zelta zirgs (The Golden Steed, Jānis Rainis); folk-dance performance; children’s morning; cabaret evening.

24th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Perth, 26-31 December 1974 Chairman of the organising committee – Laimonis Mušiņškis. The combined choir concert took place at the Perth Concert Hall. 170 singers took part with an audience of 850 people. The concert was conducted by Haralds Rutups, Viktors Bendrups, Ēriks Ozoliņš. Main events: fine and applied art exhibitions; opening concert; theatre performances of Pūt, vējiņi (Blow, Wind Blow, Jānis Rainis) and Klaidonis (The Tramp, Miervaldis Bumbieris); folk-dance performance; young people’s afternoon.

25th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Brisbane, 25-31 December 1975 Chairman of the organising committee – Oskars Rudzītis. The combined choir concert took place in Brisbane Town Hall. The concert was conducted by Haralds Rutups, Ēriks Ozoliņš, Viktors Bendrups, Kaspars Svenne, Edgars Kalums. Main events: theatre performance of Skroderdienas Silmačos (The Tailor Came to Silmači, Rūdolfs Blaumanis); art and craft exhibition; opening concert; young people’s evening; folk-dance performance.

26th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Canberra, 27-31 December 1976 Chairman of the organising committee – Žanis Mediķis. The combined choir concert took place at the Canberra Theatre. 200 singers took part with an audience of 900 people. The concert was conducted by Irma Pumpura, Ēriks Ozoliņš, Kaspars Svenne, Viktors Bendrups. Main events: theatre performance of No saldenās pudeles (From the Syrupy Bottle, Rūdolfs Blaumanis); exhibition of paintings and arts and crafts; Latvian music evening; folk-dance performance Laimas zīmē – bērna gadi (Laima’s Symbol – Childhood Years, directed by Skaidrīte Darius); cabaret performance; writers’ morning.

27th Australian Arts Festival in Melbourne, 26-31 December 1977 Chairman of the organising committee – Gunārs Drulle. The combined choir concert took place at the Dallas Brooks Hall. 300 singers took part with with an audience of 1 600 people. The concert was conducted by Viktors Bendrups, Edmunds Smalkais, Haralds Rutups, Ēriks Ozoliņš, Irma Pumpura, Kaspars Svenne. Main events: exhibition of paintings and applied art; opening concert; writers’ morning; theatre performance Kas tie tādi, kas dziedāja (Who Were Those Singers, Ādolfs Alunāns); folk-dance performance (directed by Ināra Zemīte); young people’s concert; sacred music concert; cabaret afternoon.

28th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Adelaide, 25-31 December 1978 Chairman of the organising committee – Margarita Biezaite. The combined choir concert took place in Adelaide Town Hall. 250 singers took part with an audience of 1 200 people. The concert was conducted by Kaspars Svenne, Haralds Rutups, Edmunds Smalkais, Viktors Bendrups, Staņislavs Līvmanis, Bernards Adijāns. Main events: sacred music concert; young people’s concert; applied arts and crafts exhibition; Dzintarsaule (Amber Sun) open-air festival; Latvian music concert; theatre performance of Spoguļa sienas (Mirror Walls, Rihards Rīdzinieks); folk-dance performance Bāliņš māsu dancināja (Baliņš Danced his Sister, directed by Juris Skalbe); Tad un tagad (Then and Now) cabaret afternoon.

29th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Sydney, 26-31 December 1979 Chairman of the organising committee – Vidvuds Koškins. The combined choir concert took place at the Sydney Opera House. 200 singers took part with an audience of 1 900 people. The concert was conducted by Haralds Rutups, Viktors Bendrups, Ēriks Ozoliņš, Kaspars Svenne. Main events: art and crafts exhibitions; opening concert; young people’s concert; theatrical performance Torņa cēlējs (Tower Builder, Aspazija); musical Sprīdītis (Anna Brigadere’s fairytale play, lyrics: Vilnis Baumanis, music: Andrejs Jansons); sacred music concert; writers’ afternoon; grand folk-dance performance; cabaret event Rīga dimd – Sidneja dimd (Rīga Resounds – Sydney Resounds); lecture morning.

30th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Perth, 26-31 December 1980 Chairman of the organising committee – Juris Pārups. The combined choir concert took place at the Perth Concert Hall, with an audience 600 people. The concert was conducted by Vilma Roga, Ēriks Ozoliņš, Viktors Bendrups, Lilija Zobens. Main events: writers’ afternoon; fine and applied art exhibitions; theatre performance Nafta (Crude Oil, Mārtiņš Zīverts); cabaret event Randiņš pie gulbju upes (Date by the Swan River); folk-dance performance Rindām auga ozoliņi (Oaks Grew in Rows, directed by Andra Kīna and Jānis Vucens); Latvian folk music performance; Stockholm’s Mālu ansamblis event-buffoonery Par tabakas kaitīgumu (On the Dangers of Tobacco) and production Māja (House, Juris Rozītis); lecture morning.

31st Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Brisbane, 26-31 December 1981 Chairman of the organising committee – Valters Zolte. The combined choir concert took place at the University of Queensland Concert Hall. 160 singers sang in the mixed choir and 80 singers in the combined male choir, with an audience of 500 people. The concert was conducted by Ēriks Ozoliņš, Imants Mežaraups, Viktors Bendrups and Juris Balodis. Main events: fine and applied art exhibitions; opening concert; theatre performance Bez siltām vakariņām (No Hot Dinner, Gunārs Grieze); young people’s event Skani latvju valoda, skani latvju dziesma (Ring out Latvian Language, Ring out Latvian Song); lecture afternoon; folk-dance performance Līgavu zagšana (Stealing the Bride).

32nd Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Canberra, 27-31 December 1982 Chairman of the organising committee – Žanis Mediķis. The combined choir concert took place at the Canberra Theatre Hall. 148 singers sang in the mixed choir and 82 singers in the combined male choir, with an audience of 1 000 people. The concert was conducted by Juris Balodis, Viktors Bendrups, Astra Kronīte, Stanislavs Līvmanis, Irma Pumpura, Kaspars Svenne, Roberts Zuika. Main events: sacred music concert; fine and applied art exhibitions; theatrical performance of Trīnes grēki (Trīne’s Sins, Rūdolfs Blaumanis); musical evening; folk-dance performance based on Latvian Easter celebrations; writers’ event; cabaret event.

33rd Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Melbourne, 26-31 December 1983 Chairman of the organising committee – Armands Ļauļa. The combined choir concert was held at the Victorian Arts Centre’s main concert hall. 220 singers participated. The concert was conducted by Arvīds Purvs, Imants Mežaraups, Monika Daukste, Juris Balodis, Viktors Bendrups, Ruta Brože, Daina Jaunbērziņa, Stanislavs Līvmanis, Astra Kronīte, Kristīne Mellena, Ēriks Ozoliņš, Haralds Rutups. Main events: opening concert; applied art and fine art exhibition; theatre performance of Raudupiete (The Lady of Raudupe Manor, Anna Brigadere) and Pūt, vējiņi (Blow, Wind Blow, Jānis Rainis); folklore concert by the Kolibri (Humming bird) ensemble; writers’ event; folk-dance performance Saules teika (Legend of the Sun); young people’s concert; children’s morning; cabaret event Bet labāk tomēr Melburnā (But Better in Melbourne for all that).\

34th Australian Latvian Arts festival in Launceston, 26-31 December 1984 Chairman of the organising committee – Edvīns Baulis. The combined choir concert took place in the Albert Hall. 100 singers took part in the concert with an audience of 400 people. The concert was conducted by Viktors Bendrups, Astra Kronīte, Ēriks Ozoliņš, Staņislavs Līvmanis. Main events: opening concert; fine art and applied art exhibition; theatre performance Ir akmeņi, raud (Stones Cry, Uldis Siliņš); folk-dance performance Līgo vakars (Midsummer Night, directed by Skaidrīte Darius); writers’ afternoon; lecture morning; cabaret event Tasmanian Kaleidoscope.

35th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Perth, 26-31 December 1985 Chairman of the organising committee – Laimonis Mušiņškis. The combined choir concert took place in the Winthrop Hall. 100 singers took part in the concert with an audience of 400 people. The concert was conducted by Haralds Rutups, Viktors Bendrups, Imants Mežaraups, Ingrida Dekere, Marks Opeskins, Staņislavs Līvmanis, Anita Rudaka. Main events: fine and applied art exhibitions; opening concert; writers’ and poets’ event; theatrical performance Te runā stariņš (A Ray Speaking, Gunārs Grieze); Kolibri (Humming bird) ensemble concert; cabaret evening; lecture afternoon; folk-dance performance Vai, priedīte, vai eglīte (Oh, Pine, or Spruce); cabaret.

36th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Adelaide, 26-31 December 1986 Chairman of the organising committee – Ādolfs Borkus. The combined choir concert took place in Adelaide Town Hall. 270 singers participated with an audience of more than 1 000 people. The concert was conducted by Astra Kronīte, Haralds Rutups, Viktors Bendrups, Ēriks Ozoliņš, Juris Balodis, Daina Jaunbērziņa, Staņislavs Līvmanis. Main events: fine art exhibition; opening concert; musical Homo Novus by Anšlavs Eglītis and Andrejs Jansons; theatrical performance of Princese Gundega un karalis Brusubārda (Princess Gundega and King Brusubārda, Anna Brigadere); young people’s event; soloists’ concert; cabaret afternoon; folk-dance performance.

37th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Sydney, 25-31 December 1987 Chairman of the organising committee – Aivars Saulītis. Honorary chief conductor of the combined choir concert – Kaspars Svenne. Conductors: Ēriks Ozoliņš, Viktors Bendrups, Daina Jaunbērziņa, Juris Balodis. Main events: Christmas event; applied art and photo exhibition; opening concert; theatrical performance-singing stroll through our national folklore No Kurzemes bērniņš biju (I was a Child of Kurzeme, Uldis Siliņš); young people’s concert; folk-dance performance Alutiņi, bāleliņi (Ale, my Brothers, directed by Ileāna and Ēriks Zvirbulis); cabaret event.

38th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Brisbane, 25-31 December 1988 Chairman of the organising committee – Andris Francis. The combined choir concert took place at the University of Queensland Concert Hall. 130 singers took part in the concert with an audience of 400 people. The concert was conducted by Ēriks Ozoliņš, Astra Kronīte, Haralds Rutups, Viktors Bendrups, Edgars Kariks, Daina Jaunbērziņa, Zane Ritere. Main events: candlelight evening under the stars; fine arts, applied arts and photo exhibitions; opening concert; theatre performance Ļaunais gars (Evil Spirit, Rūdolfs Blaumanis); folk-dance performance Latviskās kāzas (A Latvian Wedding); afternoon concert; Saules josta (Sun Belt) ensemble performance of Pūra lāde (Dowry Chest); cabaret event.

39th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Melbourne, 26-31 December 1989 Chair of the organising committee – Eva Brennere. The combined choir concert took place at Melbourne Town Hall. 200 singers took part in the concert with an audience of 1 100 people. The concert was conducted by Viktors Bendrups, Haralds Rutups, Ēriks Ozoliņš, Astra Kronīte, Kārlis Beinerts, Ruta Brože, Juris Balodis, Daina Jaunbērziņa. Main events: opening concert; fine, applied art and photo exhibitions; young people’s choir Daugaviņa concert; theatre performance of Maija un Paija (Anna Brigadere); folk-dance performance; young people’s concert; children’s event; cabaret afternoon.

40th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Canberra, 26-31 December 1990 Chairman of the organising committee – Egons Eversons. The combined choir concert took place at the Canberra Music School; 104 singers participated. The concert was conducted by Viktors Bendrups, Ēriks Ozoliņš, Astra Kronīte, Haralds Rutups, Juris Balodis, Daina Jaunbērziņa, Kaspars Svenne. Main events: applied art exhibition; Australian and Latvian artists’ exhibition Latviešu mākslinieki plecu pie pleca (Latvian Artists Stand Shoulder to Shoulder); sacred music concert; performance by Latvian folklorist and musician Valdis Muktupāvels Es bij’ puika, man bij’ vara (I was a Boy, I had Power); writers’ morning; young people’s concert; theatre performance of Jubilejas gads (Anniversary Year, Gatis Gaudets and Juris Zvirgzdiņš); folk-dance performance Ziemassvētki (Christmas, directed by Skaidrīte Darius); cabaret event.

41st Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Adelaide, 25-31 December 1991 Chairman of the organising committee – Jolanta Lūse.

42nd Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Sydney, 26-31 December 1992 Chairman of the organising committee – Juris Ruņģis.

43rd Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Brisbane, 23 December 1993 – 1 January 1994 Chairman of the organising committee – Andris Auliciems.

44th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Melbourne, 26-31 December 1994 Chairman of the organising committee – Aivars Saulītis, Vice-chairman – Juris Beņķis. Chief conductors: Viktors Bendrups, Bruno Birzenieks, Ruta Brože, Daina Jaunbērziņa, Astra Kronīte, Ēriks Ozoliņš, Zane Ritere, Ingrida Šakurova. The combined choir concert took place at the Camberwell Town Hall. Main events: applied art exhibition; opening concert; theatre performance Ļaunais gars (Evil Spirit, Rūdolfs Blaumanis); folk-dance performance Laikmeta griežos (The Turning of Time); writers’ event; children’s morning; young people’s event; cabaret afternoon

45th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Adelaide, 26-31 December 1996 Chair of the organising committee – Jolanta Lūse.

46th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Sydney, 21-31 December 1997 Chair of the organising committee – Edīte Soboļevska.

47th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Melbourne, 26-31 December 1999 Chair of the organising committee – Māra Misa.

48th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Adelaide 26-31 December 2001 Chairman of the organising committee – Aldis Sils.

49th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Sydney, 26-31 December 2002 Chairman of the organising committee – Jānis Grauds.

50th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Melbourne, 26-31 December 2004 Chairman of the organising committee – Ivars Mirovics.

51st Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Adelaide, 26-31 December 2006 Chair of the organising committee – Dace Dārziņa.

52nd Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Sydney, 26-31 December 2008 Chair of the organising committee – Viktorija Mačēna.

53rd Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Melbourne, 26-31 December 2010 Chair of the organising committee – Anita Andersone.

54th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Adelaide, 26-31 December 2012 Chairman of the organising committee – Egons Eversons.

55th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Sydney, 26-31 December, 2014 Chairman of the organising committee – Egons Eversons.

56th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Melbourne, 26-31 December 2016 Chairman of the organising committee – Egons Eversons.

57th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Adelaide, 26-31 December 2018 The 57th Australian Latvian Arts Festival, entitled From Rīga to Adelaide, will be special in that the centenary of the Republic of Latvia will be celebrated this year. The festival is anticipating particularly outstanding guest artists from Latvia and the diversity of Latvian culture will be highlighted. The Chairman of the Arts Festival Committee is Rūdis Dancis, who is a third-generation Australian Latvian.

58th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Sydney, 26-31 December 2021 Text is not available in English.

59th Australian Latvian Arts Festival in Melbourne, 26-31 December 2023 Text is not available in English.

Uz_augšu

Video

Andrejs Jansons - Pirmā pieredze kā Dziesmu un Deju svētku virdiriģentam

Andrejs Jansons - Dziesmu svētku repertuārs

Lilija Zobens - Pirmās atmiņas par Dziesmu un Deju svētkiem

Lilija Zobens - Pirmā pieredze kā Dziesmu un Deju svētku virsdiriģentei

Lilija Zobens - Dziesmu svētku repertuārs un tā veidošana

Marks Opeskins - Atmiņas par kantāti "Dievs, Tava zeme deg"

Marks Opeskins - Pirmās atmiņas par Dziesmu un Deju svētkiem

Marks Opeskins - Pirmā pieredze kā Dziesmu un Deju svētku virsdiriģentam

Vilnis Birnbaums - Pirmās atmiņas par Dziesmu un Deju svētkiem

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