President of Latvia Egils Levits hosted presentation ceremony for Lolita Ritmane and Brigita Ritmane at the Riga Castle on 4 July. Highest state honours, the Order of the Three Stars, was awarded for special service to Latvia.
Composer Lolita Ritmane received the highest award in Latvia for creative excellence in Latvian music and culture, promotion of national culture and Latvia internationally. Ms Ritmane has composed numerous Latvian songs for solo artists and choirs, symphony orchestra pieces, cantatas and accompaniment for several musical games. She has also composed soundtrack for ‘Dvēseļu putenis’ (Blizzard of Souls).
‘Latvia is extremely grateful for your input in national culture. I am a big fan of two pieces composed by you. Musical ‘Esslingen’ is one, and the score for ‘Blizzard of Souls’ (The Rifleman) is the other one. Without your contribution it would not be as revered and would not have the same prominence in our culture as it does,’ President of Latvia Egils Levits said as he presented the Order of the Three Stars to Lolita Ritmane.
Composer, pianist, conductor and tutor Brigita Ritmane received the highest honours of Latvia for dedicating her life to Latvian culture and strengthening of national identity abroad. ‘To my nation’ composed by Brigita Ritmane, with lyrics from her father Andris Ritmanis, performed by singer Ieva Akuratere, was the unofficial anthem of the Third Awakening of Latvian nation. Ms Ritmane devoted her professional and teaching skills to Latvian schools and camps in US. She has been the honorary principal conductor of 10 West Coast Latvian Song Festivals, managed numerous choirs and helped hone the talent of several American- Latvian musicians.
‘You are a part of Latvian culture. You and your song ‘To my nation’ are also part of the history of Awakening. You have a lasting place in our history. Awakening will always be remembered by the song ‘To my nation’, composed by you and performed by Ieva Akuratere,’ President of Latvia pointed out as he described the career of Brigita Ritmane.
