Let's develop the country just as vigorously as we sing, dance and rejoice - President

RIGA - The energy gained during the Song and Dance Festival should be invested in the further development of the country "as vigorously as we sing, dance and rejoice", said the new President of Latvia Edgars Rinkevics in his address at the closing concert of the Song and Dance Festival.

"My wise, capable and strong Latvian people! Dear Latvian people! Great participants of the Song and Dance Celebration!" Rinkevics, who was only in his second day as President, addressed the gathered crowed. "Thank you to all the participants and organizers of the festival for making Latvia so wonderful. (...) You are all wonderful!"

According to the President, the song is a testimony to "the path of our nation, our Latvian identity, our belonging, our awakening and statehood". "With song we have achieved freedom, with song we have gone to war and with song we have won victory," the politician said.

"Tonight, with song, let us celebrate together, let us sing, let us dance, uniting the entire Latvian nation. But tomorrow, with the energy we have gained this week, we will also set about the further development of our country as vigorously as we sing, dance and rejoice," the President said.

"Latvia is especially beautiful tonight. The tradition of this celebration is in our souls, because 'where my people go, my soul goes'. Only together up and together on - in one breath, in one song and in one dance - we are able to be and we are able to build our dear and only Latvia," the politician concluded his speech.