Folklore? What's so special in it?

One folklore ensemble in Latvia, who are celebrating their 60 years anniversary the next year and has poor online presence, kindly asked me to make for them a simple blog, so they could announce their news and also put online the history of the ensemble online. For every work you do there is some music that can help you, and, of course, today my music was Latvian folklore, post folk and sounds of Latvian traditional music instruments. I simply can't avoid telling you about Latvian relationship with folklore, although take in account that I'm talking from a very subjective perspective.

First of all, acquaint yourself with traditional Latvian music instrument called 'kokle' in this nice piece of music by Latvian musician Laima Jansone (I'm a little bit in love with this music): 

I'm pretty confident to affirm that every Latvian has danced traditional dances and sung folk songs. It is everywhere here starting from the kindergarten. We are proud of our traditions and old folk songs. While there are many people "fighting" for preserving our traditions, especially because there aren't that many Latvians (ehmm... 2 million people?), our traditional culture and old traditions really are ALIVE comparing to other European countries! Latvians at all ages are passionately dancing traditional dances, voluntarily involving into folklore ensembles, learning traditions from elders and creating modern improvisations based on the elements of traditional music and choreography.  Of course, our post-folk and folk-rock is loved among Latvian youngsters. 

I have also heard that there isn't more superstitious nation in Europe than Latvians. Ok, we can argue about it, but, of course, we know that if you put your keys on the table or pour out salt there will be argument at that home, if a fork or knife falls on the floor you will have guests, if you put your hat on the table your head will hurt, if at the dinner table you sit on the corner that means 7 years you will not get married and... and the list of small things that are part of our daily lives goes on... Different beliefs coming from different parts of Latvia.

Once per 5 year huge song and dance festival (included in the UNESCO world heritage site) brings together people from the entire country in Riga to sing and dance together (read here) and Midsummer's night every year makes everyone to remember at least some of our traditions (read here).

What's so special about folklore in our daily lives? I don't think I can describe it so easily... The words of strength, solace and happiness - that's in Latvian folk songs. Philosophy, natural rules, the art of living - that's what we find there. That's true - you have to know something about it and look into symbols to be able to read that all... We have incantations and spells in our folk songs. Here you are allowed to laugh at me, but, for example, there is a folk song that you have to sing to scare away the rain - more people are singing it, more powerful these words are, and I've checked it. It worked.

The problem of folklore not living into everyone's life is pretty simple - we live in cities, we are getting away from the nature and the rhythm of life that is actual for rural people doesn't find its' place in cities. And here is what keeps the traditions alive, makes people interested in them and helps people to understand the treasure of folklore - musicians (and other artists & performers) who are able to make folklore attractive for modern people.

Check these:

If you are interested in folklore and traditional culture and it happens that you are coming to Riga, here is what you should visit (main places, but not the only):

• Latvian Etnographic Open-Air Museum - one of the oldest and largest open-air museums in Europe with over 100 historical buildings, permanent and temporary exhibitions and festivities that honor Latvian traditional culture.

• Sena Klēts - traditional costume center (it's like exhibition & shop) right in the heart of Riga (at the Old Town, near the Town hall square, Rātsalukums 1)

• Folk-club "Ala" - great place for your evenings and nights (read here)

One Strong Reason to Visit Riga in August – 810.

You already know that there are thousands of  reasons to visit Riga. Here is one more reason – very big and strong reason to be in Riga this year on August – Riga is celebrating it’s birthday 810! When travelling I guess you want to get from every place as much as possible – Riga 810 festival will give you all: 19th – 21st of August this city will take you into vibrant life of culture, arts, sports and traditions! Diffrent places in the Capital of  Latvia, events for every taste! Ok, this is what you can get:

19.08. on Cinema Festival at the Kalnciema Quarter you will be introduced to the 45 years of Latvian animation – from Latvia’s Walt Disney to contemporary stars. In The Old Town at the Dome Square you will have chance to hear beautifull music – Old Towns towers will resound to the sounds of music. Interested in active recreation? Riga Festival Night Race is for you – and it’s inseparable parf of the festival: ayone is invited to take part in the event! But in the sky above the Daugava waterway between the Salu and Dienvidu bridges you will see air acrobatic competition, in which the best professional pilots will take part!

20.08. is the central day of the festival. Canal Regatta – Freeport of Riga Cup, Salsa Marathon will bring here a lot of positive energy and everyone will be able to dance to Latino rhythms, whether or not they've ever learnt salsa steps. Vērmanes Garden will be home for the festival of traditional culture – music, dances, crafts and workshops. But by the Latvian National Opera you will be able to watch 24 hour basketball tournament „Match of The Riverbanks”. Even Riga Central Market these days is inviting you to performances, but on the Street of Theatre in The Old Town you will have a chance to be a witness of the Proclamation of the City: right up till the last moment, neither those developing the "Proclamation of the city" performance, nor those acting in it will know what it will look like – there are rumors that they will play music on the rocks and saws… Aldaru Street invites you to food festival – you will enter the authentic atmosphere of 1930's Rīga. But Mežaparks which holds the best Latvian song and dance festivals traditions on evening will charm your ears and eyes with 7000 choir singers and 400 dancers and brass band memebers at the main concert „Master. Song. Legend.”

21.08. at Vērmanes Master Garden will be Folk Festival and Annual Market of Decorative Arts Goods, Rowing Festival in Riga city Canal, creative workshops for children on Jāņa Street, Museum of the History of Rīga and of Navigation invites to Riga’s Stories from The Centuries – see, learn, dance, inquire and find out...

It’s a great time to be in Riga! And a lot of offers to choose what fits the best for you!  Don’t miss this chance – 810 is just once!

Free Live Music Open-Air concerts Every Evening – hot spots in Riga this summer!

There are 3 hot spots for live music every evening in The Old Town – 3 open-air cafes, beer gardens which offers enjoy not only different tastes of foods and drinks, but also good music.

Livu Square (Līvu laukums) close to the Freedom monument (on Kaļķu street) is full

with summer cafes. Near the terraces like „Kaļķu vārti”, „Mad House”, „Blue Cow” and others you will find a place called „Zelta Fīlings” (Golden Feeling)! Taste one of 36 sorts of local and world famous beers they offer and enjoy latino & jazz!

If you keep walking the same (Kaļķu) street you can turn right on Sķūņu street. You will reach another square - Dome Sqare – with the Dome cathedral and some other summer terraces: „Planeta Sushi”, „Double Cafe”, Summer cafe of „13 Krēsli” (13 Chairs) with Mitrokhin’s Master band performing live regularry and my favorite place – „No Problem”. „No Problem” has nice atmosphere and good live music – rock, jazz, sometimes country. And this is the place which with it’s music quite often make people to move from their chairs and dance. Also the prices here are really reasonable.Just sometimes it’s too crowded to find a place to enjoy the music there.

The 3rd place which sometimes makes me to stop to enjoy the music is cafe „Egle” near the Town Hall square – Rātslaukums – with famous Backheads houses you see on almostly every postcard from Riga. You can get back to Kaļķu street and you will find it soon. There is a Christmas tree made from peaces of mirror, Souvenier shop with a big black cat next to it called „Riga Cat” and there is this cafe „Egle” – open air leisure venue with live music every evening from 8PM. Traditional music, classical rock songs, jazz, popular latvian rock & pop bands – all kinds of music.

Free entrance & nice concerts in all 3 cafes. And all summer long there is Summer Stage at the sqaure near the central station with different concerts, mostly on weekends. Enjoy!

The Land That Sings = Best Enjoyed Slowly

8 years the official logo of Latvia told that this is THE LAND THAT SINGS. And it’s totally true. Latvians really are good singers, maybe because of going to sauna or eating a lot of mushrooms, maybe it’s because of our Midsummer’s  night which is still kept full of rituals and magic, but singing is something we are proud of. We have song and dance festival once per 5 years where thousands of people are singing Latvian folk songs and the songs of Latvian composers in the same voice, where thousands of people are dancing in the same rythm. 

Now our official logo has changed and it says – BEST ENJOYED SLOWLY. No, it doesn’t mean that Latvians are slow. It’s just better for you to stay here longer and see more. For example, Riga is not only bars, pubs and clubs of the Old Town (Historical Centre), well it’s important part of Riga and I am shure you will find for yourself every kind of place to have a good entertainment specially for your taste. But you can also find here big amount of interesting museums, high quality concerts, nice churches, Art Noveau achitecture, parks, gardens... Ok, I guess you know it, I’ll try to inform you about special places here. And – it’s worth it to cross the borders of the capital city to meet wonderfull things you will find only in Latvia – blue cows, flying people... No, I am not joking.

There is a song of our most famous band „Brainstorm” – „Welcome to my country” – full of peace and harmony the countryside and small towns in Latvia can give to you. There is white sand beaches, castles, manors and palaces, but what I love the most (and I defenitely advice to try is) Latvian sauna. There is no better spa, massage or any other more enjoyable procedure for your health and beauty. Don’t miss going to Latvian Sauna in the countryside! It’s something great and there is nothing more I personally miss the most if I haven’t been in a countryside or even in my country for longer time. Relax, take all the flowers and leafs with you into the sauna to get powers from them, use honey and salt, jump into the pound, river or lake and get back to sauna again. You will never feel cleaner, lighter and more relaxed than after sauna. I guess Latvia is really best enjoyed slowly.

What about Riga? It’s THE CITY OF INSPIRATION!