Latvian Song and Dance Festival
The Latvian Song and Dance Festival (Latvian: Vispārējie latviešu Dziesmu un Deju svētki) is one of the largest amateur choral and dancing events in the world, and an important event in Latvian culture and social life.
| Latvian Song and Dance Festival | |
|---|---|
VII Latvian Song Festival in Riga, 1931 | |
| Genre | choral music, folk music |
| Location(s) | Riga, Latvia |
| Years active | 1873–present |
| Attendance | approx. 500,000 (2018) |
| Website | https://www.dziesmusvetki.lv/ |
| Baltic song and dance celebrations | |
|---|---|
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage | |
| Country | Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania |
| Reference | 00087 |
| Region | Europe and North America |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 2008 (3rd session) |
| List | Representative |
As one of the Baltic song festivals, it is also a part of the UNESCO Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity list since 2008.
The All-Latvian Song Festival has been held since 1873, normally conducted every five years, with the Latvian Dance Festival component added in 1948. During the festivals, exhibitions of photography, art and folk craft, orchestra concerts, and a festive parade also take place.
Events and competitions leading up to the event occur throughout the period between festivals. Additional festivals were held in 2001 and 2011, both on major anniversaries of the founding of Riga.
Approximately 40,000 performers altogether participate in the event. Folk songs and classical choir songs are sung, with emphasis on a cappella singing, though modern popular songs have recently been incorporated into the repertoire as well.
Since 1960, a distinct Latvian School Youth Song and Dance Festival has been held in an alternate five-year cycle, on a matching scale.