Festival agenda

  • 2013-06-26

Official opening of the Song and Dance Celebration
Song Festival park ( Viestura park), Riga
June 6 at 21:30

A traditional ceremony marking the opening of the Song and Dance Celebration and honoring the senior conductors and producers. The opening ceremony will feature performances by all types of choirs representing the four historical regions of Latvia, as well as wind bands and an ensemble of ethnographic singers. The laureates from the national costume parade will also showcase their talents.

National costumes parade
Kipsalas Hall, Riga
June 6 at 16:00

This show-pageant of Latvian national costumes will feature the participation of the show’s laureates who will demonstrate their costumes in a specially created production and will perform traditional Latvian rituals.

Communal singing night
Mezapark Stage, Riga
July 7 at 23:00 - July 8 at 04:00

After the Grand Finale concert, the choirs and public stay on and continue to celebrate with communal singing, choosing both folk songs and popular songs. And so everyone can mark the conclusion of the Song and Dance Celebration’s by singing to their heart’s content together with 13,000 other singers.

Fair showcasing masterpieces of arts and crafts
Vermanes park, Riga
July 2 12:00

Opening of the fair showcasing masterpieces of arts and crafts and crafts.
The Song and Dance Celebration’s fair convenes craftsmen, traders, buyers and the merely curious. Silver jewelry, herbal teas, linen table cloths, Janu cheese, smoked fish, fresh honey, and pots from Latgale are only a few of the items on display at the fair. Here one can meet artisans who will demonstrate their skills on the spot! As befits an authentic fair, various attractions and concerts will take place against a background of lively trading. Fair runs from July 2- July 7.

Song and Dance Celebration Participants’ parade
July 7 at 10:00

The parade of the Song and Dance Celebration participants marks the culmination of the festival in the city. Both celebration participants and organizers take part in it. The route of the 2013 march will pass along Brivibas Street from the Freedom Monument to the Dailes Theater.

Folklore Day
Berga Bazars, Riga
July 6

Riga’s parks and squares will host concerts, dances, master classes, as well as a storytellers’ club and kids’ playground. Participating in the Folklore day events will be 130 Latvian folklore troupes and ethnographic ensembles.

Grand Finale concert Ligo!
Mezapark Stage, Riga
July 7 at 19:00

The 2013 Celebration’s key word is “Ligo – Let There Be Light!” In the Latvian popular consciousness, the word “Ligo” symbolizes transformation, spiritual and physical cleansing, fertility and especially - the ritual of awaiting and accompanying light (the) sun. It will be accompanied by a mighty mass choir comprised of 250 mixed, 75 women’s, 26 men’s, 40 senior’s and also expatriate choirs, some 13,000 singers in all. About 2,000 dancers and 1,000 wind orchestra musicians will also take part in the Grand Finale concert.

Latvian amateur theater performances
July 2 at 12:00
Vermanes park, Riga

Viewers will be introduced to the best amateur theatrical adaptations of works by Latvian authors from 2008 to 2013.

Latvian composer Jazeps Vitols’ 150th birthday concert
July 2 at 19:00
Latvian University, Main Hall

The musical pieces included in the concert will showcase the well-known and beloved, Jazeps Vitols. Alongside a cappella choir music, there will be a solo song and instrumental episode for symphony orchestra.