The ceremony at the museum was attended by Marija Naumova, costume designer Odetta Birmane and Latvian singer Līga Robežniece, a participant in the Eurovision performance. The gift was accepted by Arnis Radiņš, Director of the Latvian National Museum of History (LNVM).
“It is a great pleasure that my Eurovision costume will be in the museum in the future. The victory in Eurovision was an unexpected and very emotional event that affected many Latvians. This holiday united the whole society. I hope that good memories will make people feel proud and happy a country that is very important right now, “said Maria Naumova.
The artist Odetta Birmane revealed that in the process of creating the dress, several attempts and dozens of attempts at movement took place until the desired result was achieved. She is very worried if the transforming function of Maria Naumova’s dress will work properly during the performance, but everything went perfectly.
The costume was a very important part of the performance of the Latvian representative and therefore became a significant, recognizable testimony of the era, according to a statement distributed by LNVM. Marija Naumova’s dress has already experienced its premiere as a museum exhibit – it was exhibited for three years in the joint museum exhibition dedicated to the centenary of the Latvian state Latvian century, which ended at the end of May this year. It was one of the most visible and favorite exhibits in the section of the exhibition about Latvia’s return to Europe after the restoration of independence.
Marija Naumova’s victory in Eurovision in 2002 was one of the important moments that, like the victory of Latvian athletes or the success of professionals in other fields, caused special excitement and confidence in the ability of the Latvian people to achieve international recognition. It should be reminded that not only was well attended, but also very welcoming Marija Naumova and her team in Dome Square in Riga after winning the competition. Thus, the gift included in the museum’s collection is a witness to an important historical event at that time and the success of the Latvian artist, as well as telling a broader story about Latvia in the world at the beginning of the new millennium.
LNVM is the largest museum collection in Latvia, which covers the entire history of the land and the nation since the first inhabitants entered the territory of Latvia. The museum also actively documents the events of modern and recent history, so that future generations can continue to study and tell the story of Latvia and Latvians in the world.
Marija Naumova’s Eurovision winner’s dress will feature recent witnesses of recent history, such as the evening dress of Latvian Ambassador Anna Velēde Žīgure, which was worn at the reception of the President of Finland in 1994, and the October 14, 1991 and the events of Queen Margrett II’s visit to Latvia in 1992.
The museum gratefully accepts gifts that help make our cultural memories rich and multifaceted.
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