Historic freedom anniversary to be celebrated in Latvia

  • 2014-08-20
  • From wire reports, RIGA

The Baltic way marked in 1989 in Latvia (photo: twitter)

This Saturday, Aug. 23, marks the 25th anniversary of the renowned human chain after one million freedom-yearning people in the three Baltic States joined hands in solidarity, more commonly known as the Baltic Way, reports LETA.

Exhibitions, the presentation of a new book and a concert in St.Peter's Church in Riga and one at the Freedom Monument, will commemorate the historic event.

The Aug. 23 concert in St. Peter's Church (6 p.m.) will feature composer Paul Hindemith's "Das lange Weihnachtsmahl" (The Long Christmas Dinner) and Carl Orff's oratorio "De Temporum Fine Comoedia" (Play for the End of Time) - in a unique 3D version of the 1973 Salzburg Festival production, conducted by Herbert von Karajan.

The keynote concert on this special day (start time 9 p.m.) has been titled "For Freedom," with organizers saying that it is meant to be an affirmation of Baltic unity. The conductors will be from all three states: Maris Sirmais, Paul Meggi and Modestas Pitrenas.

The soloists will be Daumants Kalnins (Latvia), Ieva Prudnikovaite (Lithuania) and Jeronimas Milius (Lithuania), with accompanying musicians from all three countries and the Latvian pop/rock group "Remix." Featured will be the songs, circa 1989, that helped unite the people for the cause