Dear beloved musicians, ladies and gentlemen,
In October of 1944, as sounds of “Dievs, Tava zeme deg” (God, Your Land is on Fire), a cantata composed by Lūcija Garūta, filled the Saint Gertrude Church in Riga, a procession of tanks drove down the Brīvības Street. Russian occupation replaced the German occupation. Explosions could be heard from afar. Lūcija Garūta’s cantata gave solace everyone in the church. It was a glimmer of hope that despite being left on its own at this critical moment, Latvia will rise again.
Ukraine is in flames today. At this very instant, as we enjoy this moment here, in our opera house, presenting music awards, explosions are going off in Kyiv and people are struck dead. Contrary to Latvia in 1944, Ukraine is not alone. The whole democratic world, the whole Europe, and the whole Latvia stands with Ukraine right now. Ukraine has unified people in Latvia. We are one nation in support of Ukraine.
Ukrainian anthem is played before each opera performance, in this house. There are benefit concerts and donations are being gathered to support Ukraine. World solidarity gives Ukrainians strength to go on and continue fighting for their land and their state. Ukraine will prevail without a shadow of a doubt. We stand with Ukraine!
Dear musicians,
Thank you for you craftsmanship, your mastery, the joyful moments you give us by opening curtain to your musical world. Life would be less exciting without music. Thank you for your civic position, for being able to discriminate between what is right and what is wrong, what is good and what is bad. Thank you for supporting Ukraine.
Dear friends,
Music is the language of humanity. All of you here tonight speak the beautiful language of humanity. There is no weapon to beat humanity. No weapon to beat Ukraine. Ukraine will win!
Glory to Ukraine!
