Latvian Nationwide Song and Dance Celebration in Riga

The Latvians call themselves a nation of singers. The folk-song tradition is the main symbol used for the nation's self- identification, and this symbol has a history of one and a half centuries. The Latvians call themselves a nation of singers. The folk-song tradition is the main symbol used for the nation's self- identification, and this symbol has a history of one and a half centuries. Cabinet of Folksongs Latvian Traditional Musical Instrument - Kokle

The XXIV Nationwide Latvian Song and XIV Dance Celebration took place in Riga from July 5-12, 2008, under the sign of the 90th anniversary of the independence of Latvia. The XXIV Nationwide Latvian Song and XIV Dance Celebration took place in Riga from July 5-12, 2008, under the sign of the 90th anniversary of the independence of Latvia. In 8 days 39 different concerts and events took place, half of which were free of charge. In 8 days 39 different concerts and events took place, half of which were free of charge.

Record number of participants ; Record number of participants ; 48 principal conductors and artistic directors 48 principal conductors and artistic directors They have been preparing for years to be named the best and win the participation at the celebration in July

394 choirs and 54 vocal ensembles (including ensembles from minority communities) 394 choirs and 54 vocal ensembles (including ensembles from minority communities) Total of singers (in comparison – 212 female singers and 791 male singers took part in the 1st Song Celebration in 1873) Total of singers (in comparison – 212 female singers and 791 male singers took part in the 1st Song Celebration in 1873)

544 dance groups, dancers 544 dance groups, dancers 55 brass bands 55 brass bands 5 professional orchestras 5 professional orchestras Festivals take place each 5 years Festivals take place each 5 years

Song Celebration Procession The Song and Dance Festival is occasion where national costumes are worn not only by the singers and dancers but also by the audience. The Song and Dance Festival is occasion where national costumes are worn not only by the singers and dancers but also by the audience. It lasted for 7 hours It lasted for 7 hours

As part of Celebration events many master craftspeople exhibited a lot of pieces of traditional applied art. As part of Celebration events many master craftspeople exhibited a lot of pieces of traditional applied art. Traditional Craft Market. Traditional Craft Market. Latvia's traditional costume has been worn at festive occasions for centuries – sometimes passed down from generation to generation.

The girls and women have made very beautiful wreathes from various flowers The girls and women have made very beautiful wreathes from various flowers

The huge closing concert on the Mežaparks open-air stage The huge closing concert on the Mežaparks open-air stage  Two hours before

It is not just a festival – the tradition goes back for 135 years and in 2003 together with Lithuanian and Estonian Song and Dance tradition it was recorded in the UNESCO list of Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Cultural Heritage. It is not just a festival – the tradition goes back for 135 years and in 2003 together with Lithuanian and Estonian Song and Dance tradition it was recorded in the UNESCO list of Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Thank you!