Dear compatriots! Dear friends!
Culture is the foundation of the Latvian State. The Latvian State has no special reason to exist if it is not the state of the Latvian nation. The Latvian nation creates Latvian culture.
The Song Festival is closely linked to the Latvian State, and this is also recognised in the Constitution. The preamble to the Constitution sets out the State's concern for culture.
Choral singing is a social event. The choir represents how we understand ourselves as a Latvian nation. Everyone sings in their own voice, but together they form a choir. We all form the Latvian nation's choir, whether singing at Song Festivals or in our everyday lives.
The tradition of the Song Festival is inextricably linked to the growth of the Latvian nation and, of course, to the Latvian State.
I thank all those who keep this tradition of the Song Festival alive, because tradition gives us a basis to act today and think about the future. Therefore, the Latvian Song Festival is much more than just a cultural expression. It is an expression of the Latvian State, our self-expression, the identity of our nation.
This exhibition reflects this Song Festival tradition and everyone can get to know it better. For the Latvian nation to continue to exist and flourish, it is important to nurture this tradition and pass it on to future generations.
Many thanks to everyone who worked on this permanent exhibition! It is a serious and great contribution to the continuation of our Song Festival tradition.
See you at the Song Festival!
