The life spent playing for children has allowed the actress to stay alive even in her old age, without losing interest in national news and world events.
The actress’s older brother, writer and translator Jānis Žīgurs, worked as a narrator on Latvian Radio at the beginning of World War II, later becoming the editor-in-chief of children’s programs. As the war intensified, Jānis Žīgurs and his sisters Hilda and Erna and other well-known cultural workers evacuated to Astrakhan. The world of theater was not quite foreign to Hilda Žīgure, because before the war she had already mastered the basics of acting in Latvian drama courses (1936-1938). In 1942, while fleeing to Ivanovo, under the auspices of the LSSR Art Ensemble, Žīguri, together with the poet Mirdza Ķempi and other representatives of the Latvian intelligentsia, formed a puppet ensemble, which already in 1944 gained the status of an official theater and the opportunity to return to Latvia. Jānis Žīgurs became the director of the newly established theater, Mirdza Ķempe became the artistic director, while Hilda Žīgure became one of the leading actresses. She spent all her creative life in the theater, from its founding in 1986 to a well-deserved break.
Aldis Linė, a historian of puppet theater, says about Hilda Žīguri: Of course, the same goes for Hilda Žīguri and her gallery of diverse scenes – Buratino (Tolstoy Gold key1953), Black Mother (Rainis Golden horse, 1955), Sprīdītis, Paija (A. Brigaderes Sprīdītis1957, 1961, Maya and Paija, 1964). These are just a few roles – the actress’ performance is many times greater, but the already mentioned features a wide range of characters, feelings and emotions, which Hilda Žigure has allowed to shine especially brightly on the stage. Hilda Žīgure is an example of a temperamental actress. The concept of acting as a puppet in theater is much broader than in a dramatic one. A striking proof of this is the filigree work of Hilda Žīgure, leading the dolls of the title heroes in legendary performances Hello (1974), Swiss front (1975), as well as bringing to the stage the satirical sign of his era, Hugo Diego (Thread signs, Thread works, 1977).”
The whole family of the Latvian Theater is still in good health and endless joy of life for actress Hilda Žīgure, but sincerely – the staff of the Latvian Puppet Theater!
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