On 2 February, President of Latvia Egils Levits met with directors and organisers of XXVII National Song and XVII Dance Festival of Latvia. Meeting addressed artistic and administrative preparations, involvement of participants in preparation, a potential programme of song, dance, wind orchestra and other festival performances and closing gala concert.
President of Latvia Egils Levits acknowledged the ongoing preparations for the Festival and reminded of the immense value this celebration holds for the Latvian people and the state. ‘For us, Song Festival is much more than any similar event in another country with strong choral traditions. This celebration is a national, political and constitutional value. That is why we need a special law that no other country has. In our country song festival is a moment of national unity. Bond between Latvian culture and state is explicitly defined in our constitution, Satversme, which says that the Latvian State is founded on the Latvian culture, and it is the responsibility of the state to ensure the continuity of national culture and language throughout times. 150 years ago, during the first Song Festival, Latvian nation began to feel strong national aspirations,’ President Levits said.
150th anniversary of the Song Festival must be a moment of glory and joy, Minister for Culture Nauris Puntulis agreed. He confirmed that July festival will definitely be a such moment.
Signe Pujāte, Director of Latvian National Centre for Culture, emphasised the role of community in solidifying Song and Dance Festival traditions. ‘Community is strong. Singer and dancers in Latvia and abroad are getting ready,’ she said. Other directors and organisers of XXVII National Song and XVII Dance Festival of Latvia also confirmed that dancers and singers are highly motivated and Covid-19 pandemic has not disrupted the vital tradition.
‘Despite problems in previous years, Song Festival tradition will never wane. Our profession, and everyone taking part in Festival, will have the chance to spend a week living in the ideal Latvia this year,’ Chair of Song and Dance Festival Steering Committee Mārtiņš Klišāns added.
Organisers of the Festival also told President Levits about the volunteers helping manage festival activities.
