Memorial plaque to the founder of “Dzintariņa” Zinaida Zeltmate unveiled in Riga – Culture, art

On the 101st birthday of choreographer Zinaida Zeltmate – on October 2, a memorial plaque dedicated to the choreographer was unveiled at the Small Guild building at 3/5 Amatu Street. Zeltmate worked in this building for several decades, leading the dance group “Dzintariņš”.

The initiators of the installation of the memorial plaque are the members of the dance group “Dzintariņš” founded by Z. Zeltmate. “Without the work and efforts of Zinaida Zeltmate, we would not be able to talk about modern children’s folk dance culture and traditions. She was not only the leader of the long-term dance ensemble “Dzintariņš”, but also the multiple leader of the School Dance Festival, the author of many still popular choreographies “, says Sanita Misika, the artistic director of TDA” Dzintariņš “. “This is a statement of respect and gratitude not only to the current and former students of our ensemble, but also to the entire Latvian dance family for Z. Zeltmate for her contribution to the care and development of folk dance traditions.” The installation of a memorial plaque is one of the activities with which TDA “Dzintariņš” celebrated the School Song and Dance Festival, which is taking place in an unusual format this year.

The author of the memorial plaque is Valtis Barkāns, a sculptor and assistant professor at the Latvian Academy of Arts, but its production was financially supported by the Riga City Council, the State Education Content Center, the National Culture Center, the Dzintariņš Association and private donors. The opening of the memorial plaque was attended by the daughter of choreographer Zinaida Zeltmate, long-term artistic director of TDA “Dzintariņš” Olga Freiberga, head of Riga City Council Education, Culture and Sports Committee Iveta Ratinīka, TDA “Dzintariņš” artistic director Sanita Misika, head of Sign current and former members.

Zinaida Zeltmate was born on October 2, 1920 in Tyumen, Russia. In December of the same year, the family returned to Riga. Zinaida Zeltmate attended Beatrice Wigner’s rhythmic courses, but at the age of 14 she started studying at the Helena Tangiev-Birzniece Ballet School. After graduating from school, she danced at the Opera and Ballet Theater and the Operetta Theater. In 1946, one of the first children’s dance groups was formed at the Polygraph Club in Riga. In 1948, she was the head of the first children’s dance festival. She has also been the head of the festival at the second and sixth School Youth Song and Dance Festivals. In 1953, with his dancers, he moved from the Polygraph’s Club to the current Small Guild, where in 1953 he founded the children’s dance group “Dzintariņš”. In 1975, “Dzintariņš” became the first children’s folk dance ensemble in Latvia. In 1964, Zinaida Zeltmate was awarded the title of Meritorious Cultural Worker of the Latvian SSR, and in 1980 – the title of People’s Performer of the Latvian SSR.

Z. Zeltmate has choreographed more than 300 dances, children’s performances and ballet. Several of Zinaida Zeltmate’s dances have won prizes in Latvian and international competitions, several dances are also included in the repertoire of students’ dance festivals. Z. Zeltmate was the head of the 5th Latvian School Youth Song and Dance Festival (1984), as well as participated in the preparation of the 1st (1960), 2nd (1967) and 6th (1989) Latvian School Youth Song and Dance Festival. Several dances of Z. Zeltmate were danced during the festival, for example, “Brālīt’s sister danced”, “Latvian dance suite” (both with music by G. Ordelovskis).

Riga City Council Communication Department

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