Is there a better way to express love than in songs? “Love Song Marathon” was held in the Līgatne House of Culture for the sixth year. Anyone who wanted could perform the song closest to them, delighting the audience. Ten such different singers took the stage to entertain others.
Love song experts also listened to them: Līgatne Music School director Līga Ruciņa, vocal pedagogue Aivars Krancmanis and singer, actor Varis Vētra. Experts praised the courage of the singers and everyone’s desire to express themselves by singing.
Not only the people of Līgatni remember well Florian Belyakov, who once played music at weddings, at various events, both alone and in the chapel. “I know the notes, but I can’t read them. I’ve been playing at balls since school, but by ear,” says Florian and reveals that he likes, as he says, old-time songs, waltzes, folk songs. “We used to play a lot. The chapel did not have a name, but many people invited us. There were seven of us, I was the youngest, and now there is one left. Many times I played alone at weddings and I was able to do it. I felt that people like it. When you start playing at the table and hear everyone singing along, it’s a wonderful feeling. The last time such a proper playing was many years ago,” says Florian and adds that he plays the accordion and once also the guitar. “But it has the tone that my father taught me, not the one that everyone has now,” emphasizes the musician and singer.
With a smile, Florians tells that he was persuaded to sing in the marathon by his fiance Maija Briede, who also gave him an accordion, because his instrument was not tuned. When he was thinking about what to sing, “The Lonely Oak” immediately came on. “I used to know 200 songs by heart, but now I’m very worried that I don’t mix something up. I used to be able to play and sing for two days without a break. Now only at home, when the mood is good,” says Florian and adds that in the past, people were more relaxed at events and celebrations, and got into the festive atmosphere faster.
Anna ķilla has participated in all “Love song marathons”. She not only sings, but also composes songs. “I like to sing. I don’t know the notes, I’m trolling, then the melody bursts out and the words come,” says Anna. There are 17 songs in her dowry. All about love, including “My Fernando” sung at the marathon. Anna reveals that when she worked in England and her acquaintances found out that she can compose songs, she was asked to create a melody for the newlyweds. Having just read the given lines of poetry, the music was there. Anna likes to sing at events, with friends.
The participants of the “Love Song Marathon” emphasized that the most important thing is to love to sing. You don’t need to be trained in singing to do this. Andris Rudzītis admits: “I like to sing, but I’m not very good at it.” However, I composed the words myself. The one to whom the song is dedicated knows it.” He sang his song “Kādai Līgatne svetnei” to the tune of the well-known film “Umbrellas of Cherbourg”.
Gunta Zariņa is already 86 years old, but she still sings not only in the senior ensemble, she also likes to go on stage alone. Her performance “Kamola tinėja” rolled years, love and song together. Aigars Burgēlis calls himself the singing accountant. “I enjoy playing music in a group of friends. I’m in that beautiful moment of being when I know it’s my time and I know how to share it,” says Aigars. He played the guitar and sang a song in Ukrainian.
Each marathon participant has his own story of love and singing. Also to music teacher Ingrīda Zumberga, sisters Valija Viļumas and Maija Kruze, each singer of the senior ensemble “Mantojums” and a member of the Sigulda men’s ensemble “Saltavots”.
During the evening everyone was entertained by Aivars Krancmanis and Varis Vētra, Anatolij Terentjevs not only ensured that the participants’ voices sounded louder, but also played a ball with his band of musicians. We couldn’t do without singing together, because there are many well-known, beautiful songs about love.
What about the marathon winners? All. Every visitor could vote for the song that warmed the most. Beautifully made hearts were arranged in the small hall of the culture house, each singer had his own, and visitors were given Cupid’s arrows to “shoot” at those touched by the bearer of the name. Each singer received hearts with cupid’s arrows and a diploma with a confirmation in which nomination they were honored: the most attractive message of life experience, fragile love, the most danceable song, the most touching song, the most nostalgic performance.
Songs about love are played – on stage, at anniversaries, at events. They hum while driving, mushrooming, doing chores.
