Irish Latvian School Youth Song and Dance Festival

On August 29, the Latvian School Youth Song and Dance Festival takes place in Ireland. The youth choir “LABKĪ”, dance groups “Taurenītis” and “Sienāzītis”, schools “Ābolītis”, “Zemene”, “Jumītis” and a youth dance group are participating in the festival.

The Song and Dance Festival is the first live event for families in the Latvian community after a year and a half break. All three Latvian artistic groups in Ireland, which were preparing for the school festival in Latvia – the joint youth choir “LABKĪ”, children’s dance groups “Sienāzītis” and “Rainbow” will take part and be represented in this event. LBĪ schools “Ābolītis”, “Zemene” and “Jumītis”, as well as a youth dance group also applied for participation in the event.

The festival will be introduced by a solemn procession and photography, followed by the opening speech of the Latvian Ambassador to Ireland Jānis Sīlis and an invitation to sing the Latvian national anthem under the direction of the choir “LABKĪ”;

Festive concert program:

• The choir “LABKĪ” will perform a cycle of songs for school youth with music by Ēriks Ešenvalds and words by Inese Zandere, song by Jānis Aišpurs and Renārs Kaupers “Tavs karogs”, song potpourri “A lot of stars”, “Pepija’s song”
• Folk dance ensemble “Sienāzītis” will perform dances – “Balodītis” (choreography by Ilmārs Dreļs, folk music by Gunārs Igauņš), “Ganiņi” (choreography by Zinaīda Zeltmate, music by Dainis Zaķis), “Rausis” (choreographer by Olita Lagzdiņa “Celebrate the Sun” (choreography by Ruta Lauce, music by Mārtiņš Milevskis and Kaspars Bārbals), which will conclude the festival.
• LBI Drogheda Latvian Week School “Ābolītis” has prepared a dance “Zaķīšu pirtiņa” (music by Imants Kalniņš, words by Viļa Plūdonis, performed by “Bus in the Sky”)
• The young people of ĪLNP will perform the dance “We Danced” (Author Olga Rajecka, choreography by Solveiga Slaidiņa) and the dance “Beating Sprigs” (choreography by Viļa oak).

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