Latvian Amateur Theaters Shine in Jēkabpils Regional Show, But Face Challenges
Table of Contents
The vibrant world of Latvian amateur theaters took center stage recently as the first part of the Jēkabpils regional amateur theater show unfolded at the Jēkabpils Town Hall. Five local theater groups showcased their passion for the performing arts, captivating audiences and earning praise from the jury. Though, behind the scenes, challenges loom for these dedicated artists, who frequently enough feel their work is undervalued and underfunded.
A Celebration of Passion and Talent
Amateur theater performances are a cornerstone of cultural life in the Jēkabpils region, drawing excited crowds year after year. This year’s event was no exception, with theater lovers gathering to witness the creativity and dedication of local parish collectives. The performances were evaluated by a distinguished jury, including director and actor Valdis Lūriņš, playwright Jānis Jurkāns, and director oskars Bērziņš.
For the actors and directors, these shows are more than just performances—they are a labor of love. aija Rantsova, director of the “Patapa” amateur theater of Zīlani People’s House, shared her perspective: “The audience—they are the main evaluators, as the playwright says that it is indeed his child, and he gives it to the director, and it is already a entirely different child. And this is my child with my actors. As we go to regular shows, so we here. Well, of course ther is excitement, that’s all.”
Actors like Madara from the “Patapa” theater and Aiga from the “Savējie” amateur theater of the Spūngēnu Folk House echoed this sentiment, describing their involvement as a source of joy, creativity, and personal growth. “It’s a fantastic time spent, good friends, emotions, also education and memory training in the end. That kind of creative self-expression, yes,” said Madara.Aiga added, “Prove yourself, show what we can do, leave everyday life. And it’s just fantastic to be on stage!”
The Jury’s Perspective: Talent Deserves More Support
While the jury praised the actors’ skills and the directors’ efforts,they also highlighted systemic issues facing Latvian amateur theaters. valdis Lūriņš, a jury representative, emphasized the need for greater support: “Latvia must do everything so that the level of amateur theater is professionally stimulated in some way—both in terms of dramaturgy and also in terms of the training of directors, as the situation in Latvia at this moment is tragic. There are a lot of directors of the older generation, there are practically no young directors, because they do not have the chance to learn this profession. all those who work in this profession, especially outside of Riga, receive a ridiculous, very ridiculous salary.”
This lack of support is particularly concerning given the vital role amateur theaters play in regional communities. The large turnout at performances and the audience’s passionate defense of local collectives during jury evaluations underscore their cultural importance.
What’s Next for Jēkabpils Amateur Theaters?
The second part of the Jēkabpils regional amateur theater show is set to take place on January 18 in Viesite. until then, the results of the first part remain under wraps, adding an air of anticipation to the upcoming event.
| Key Highlights of the Jēkabpils Regional Amateur Theater Show |
|——————————————————————-|
| Event Location | Jēkabpils Town Hall |
| Number of participating Theaters | 5 |
| Jury Members | Valdis Lūriņš, Jānis Jurkāns, Oskars Bērziņš |
| Next Show Date | January 18, 2024, in Viesite |
| Key Challenge | Lack of funding and professional training for directors |
A Call to Action
The dedication of Latvian amateur theaters is undeniable, but their future depends on greater recognition and support. Whether through increased funding, professional training opportunities, or simply attending their performances, there are many ways to help these cultural treasures thrive.As the curtain rises on the next chapter of the Jēkabpils regional amateur theater show, let’s celebrate the passion and talent of these artists while advocating for the resources they need to continue enriching Latvia’s cultural landscape.
This project is co-financed by the Media Support Fund from the funds of the Latvian state budget. The content of “Regional news on the ReTV channel” is the responsibility of SIA “Re MEDIA”.
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Note: The content of this publication is protected under the Copyright Law,and its use without permission is prohibited.
Latvian Amateur Theaters Shine in Jēkabpils regional Show, But Face Challenges
The vibrant world of Latvian amateur theaters took center stage recently as the first part of the Jēkabpils regional amateur theater show unfolded at the Jēkabpils Town Hall. Five local theater groups showcased their passion for the performing arts, captivating audiences and earning praise from the jury. However, behind the scenes, challenges loom for these dedicated artists, who often feel their work is undervalued and underfunded.
A Celebration of Passion and Talent
Amateur theater performances are a cornerstone of cultural life in the Jēkabpils region,drawing excited crowds year after year. This year’s event was no exception, with theater lovers gathering to witness the creativity and dedication of local parish collectives. The performances were evaluated by a distinguished jury, including director and actor Valdis Lūriņš, playwright Jānis Jurkāns, and director Oskars Bērziņš.
For the actors and directors, these shows are more than just performances—they are a labor of love. Aija rantsova, director of the “Patapa” amateur theater of Zīlani PeopleS House, shared her perspective: “the audience—they are the main evaluators, as the playwright says that it is indeed indeed his child, and he gives it to the director, and it is already an entirely different child. And this is my child with my actors. As we go to regular shows, so we here. Well, of course, there is excitement, that’s all.”
Actors like Madara from the “Patapa” theater and Aiga from the “Savējie” amateur theater of the Spūngēnu Folk House echoed this sentiment, describing their involvement as a source of joy, creativity, and personal growth. “It’s a fantastic time spent, good friends, emotions, also education and memory training in the end. That kind of creative self-expression, yes,” said Madara. Aiga added, “Prove yourself, show what we can do, leave everyday life. And it’s just fantastic to be on stage!”
The Jury’s Perspective: Talent Deserves More Support
While the jury praised the actors’ skills and the directors’ efforts, they also highlighted systemic issues facing Latvian amateur theaters. Valdis Lūriņš, a jury representative, emphasized the need for greater support: “Latvia must do everything so that the level of amateur theater is professionally stimulated in some way—both in terms of dramaturgy and also in terms of the training of directors, as the situation in Latvia at this moment is tragic.There are a lot of directors of the older generation, there are practically no young directors, because they do not have the chance to learn this profession. All those who work in this profession, especially outside of Riga, receive a ridiculous, very ridiculous salary.”
This lack of support is notably concerning given the vital role amateur theaters play in regional communities. The large turnout at performances and the audience’s passionate defense of local collectives during jury evaluations underscore their cultural importance.
What’s Next for Jēkabpils Amateur Theaters?
The second part of the Jēkabpils regional amateur theater show is set to take place on January 18 in Viesite. Until then, the results of the first part remain under wraps, adding an air of anticipation to the upcoming event.
| Key Highlights of the Jēkabpils Regional Amateur Theater show | |
|---|---|
| Event Location | Jēkabpils Town Hall |
| Number of Participating Theaters | 5 |
| Jury Members | Valdis Lūriņš, Jānis Jurkāns, Oskars Bērziņš |
| next Show Date | January 18, 2024, in Viesite |
| Key Challenge | Lack of funding and professional training for directors |
A Call to action
The dedication of Latvian amateur theaters is undeniable, but their future depends on greater recognition and support. Whether through increased funding, professional training opportunities, or simply attending their performances, there are many ways to help these cultural treasures thrive. As the curtain rises on the next chapter of the Jēkabpils regional amateur theater show, let’s celebrate the passion and talent of these artists while advocating for the resources they need to continue enriching Latvia’s cultural landscape.
This project is co-financed by the Media Support Fund from the funds of the Latvian state budget.The content of “Regional news on the ReTV channel” is the responsibility of SIA “Re MEDIA”.
Note: The content of this publication is protected under the Copyright Law, and its use without permission is prohibited.
