Rīgas pils 2021. gada novembrī. Foto autors: Ilmārs Znotiņš, Valsts prezidenta kanceleja.

Opening of concert-story ‘Our own. Within’ by the Riga Castle on 12 November at 17:00 will begin the Patriot Week and centenary of the Presidential institution celebrations.

The concert will bring together works created during Latvia's first centenary, in songs and videos telling about the times when Latvia existed as a free country, and about the times when free, creative expression was denied to our people. The concert will be broadcast live on public digital media platform LSM.lv and later that night as recording on Channel 1 of the Latvian Television at 22:35.  

Forfeited pieces of Latvian art from different periods, carefully selected under the guidance of historian Jānis Kalnačs, will be illuminated on the facade of the Riga Castle during the performance of concert-story.

Musical performances will be provided by many beloved Latvian musicians, such as Daumants Kalniņš, Jānis Aišpurs, Aija Andrejeva, Intars Busulis, Ieva Kerēvica and Katrīna Paula Felsberga. Other artists will include actors Arturs Krūzkops, Ieva Segliņa and Klāvs Kristaps Košins, Kokle player Laima Jansone and Mixed Choir of the Riga Cathedral Choir School conducted by Jurģis Cābulis, as well as Gospel Choir conducted by Una Stade. Musical accompaniment will be provided by Rihards Jakuško’s ‘Cover band’.

Latgalian rapper Ūga has written a special song for this event called ‘Naida runa’ (Hate speech), which talks about our personal choice to one of our own, a feeling that starts within us.

Concert-story ‘Our own. Within’ is directed by Juris Jonelis, playwright Matīss Gricmanis, stage/video director Austra Hauks, costume designer Baiba Grīna, lighting director Kristaps Bunga and music director Juris Vaivods. Concert producer is Rihards Gulbis.

Satversme, the constitution of Latvia, was adopted by Constitutional Assembly on 15 February 1922. On 14 November, the first Saeima (parliament) appointed Jānis Čakste the first President of Latvia and the institution of presidency of Latvia was born. Concert-story ‘Our own. Within’  has been created to give all Latvian an opportunity to celebrate the 100 years since the adoption of Satversme and establishment of Presidential institution together.