During Soviet occupation of Latvia, song and dance festivals in Canada and elsewhere in the world were the shrines of Latvian freedom and culture - Lace

RIGA - For decades, and especially during the time when Latvia was occupied by the Soviet Union, Latvian song and dance festivals in Canada and elsewhere in the world were the shrines of Latvian freedom and culture, Culture Minister Agnese Lace (Progressives) said while addressing participants in the 16th Latvian Song and Dance Festival in Toronto, Canada.

According to the minister's advisor Rita Plume, the festival's opening ceremony was on Thursday and the participants were also addressed by the Latvian culture minister.

Lace said that the National Song and Dance Festival had "flourished and branched out" over 150 years. Dancing is now an equally important part of the festival, there are song and dance festivals for the youth, and festivals are also organized by Latvian communities all over the world.

Lace thanked the Latvian community in Canada for their work in organizing the festival and for nurturing and preserving Latvian traditions. Only together we are a strong and united nation, she said. Because of the diaspora's perseverance and love for Latvia, we can show the whole world that "our hearts beat in unison", no matter where we are and where we go about our daily lives.

Lace's visit to Canada will continue until Monday.

The 16th Latvian Song and Dance Festival in Canada runs from Thursday, July 4, to Sunday, July 7. The Latvian Song Festival has been held in Canada since 1953, and the Latvian Song and Dance Festival since 2019.

The festival's program includes more than 25 events: concerts, performances, exhibitions and film screenings. Several ensembles, choirs, performers from Latvia, the United States and Europe will also participate in the festival.