Winter Solstice Dance Concert “The Power of the Sun”

More than 700 dancers from Rīga, Mārupe and Jelgava will perform dance pieces created by outstanding choreographers and their followers in the dance concert “The Power of the Sun” at the Ķīpsala Hall on 22 December.


"This is a very special year for us – the year of Latvia’s Centenary celebrations, the International Student Song and Dance Festival Gaudeamus and the Latvian Nationwide Song and Dance Celebration. Moreover, this year marked significant anniversaries of a number of outstanding Latvian choreographers, educators and chief directors of the Latvian Dance Celebration. Let’s celebrate the Winter Solstice with the dance concert “The Power of the Sun”, take a look back on the most celebrated moments of 2018 and draw inner strength and energy from the remarkable patterns formed by the dancers,” tells the artistic director of the concert Rolands Juraševskis.

The concert programme includes the dance pieces by choreographers, whose anniversaries are celebrated this year – U. Žagata, V. Ozols, A. Spura, H. Sūna, Z. Miezītis, S. Darius, J. Rinka, A. Rūja, A. Melnalksne, R. Spalva, G. Skuja, A. Daņiļevičs –, as well as those by J. Ērglis and J. Purviņš.

Rooted in social dance and rituals, Latvian folk dance has evolved through the centuries, but, only in the 20th century, it has been arranged and set for stage performances. Therefore, the concert will begin with Sešdancis (“The Dance of Six”) written down by the ethnochoreologist and founder of the first folk dance group Johanna Rinka (1893–1982).

For some people, the concert dances will give a chance to plunge into heart-warming memories, for others – to enjoy the beauty of dance and amazing dance technique. Among them, Audēju deja ("The Dance of Weavers") by Harijs Sūna, Jautrās dzirnavas ("Jolly Mill") by Uldis Žagata, Klabdancis (“Clap Dance”) by Vilis Ozols, Diždancis ("The Grand Dance”) by Alfrēds Spura as well as some other pieces choreographed more recently by Jānis Ērglis and Jānis Purviņš.

The concert features the folk dance ensembles Ačkups, Austris, Dancis, Diždancis, Gatve, Kalve, Lielupe, Līgo, Teiksma, Vektors, the middle-aged dance groups Dancis, Lielupe, Līgo, Mārupieši, Teiksma, Vektors and children’s dance groups Teiksmiņa and Līgo, that have been in a way connected with these outstanding choreographers.

Artistic directors – Rolands Juraševskis and Jānis Ērglis. Director and stage designer – Reinis Suhanovs.

Winter Solstice Dance Concert “The Power of the Sun” – Ķīpsala Hall, 22 December, 17.00.

Tickets available at Biļešu paradīze ticket offices throughout Latvia, online www.bilesuparadize.lv or Ķīpsala box office. Ticket prices: EUR 10–18.50! Ticket reservation, group discounts and enquiries: +371 67067500 or music@bt1.lv.
Doors open an hour before the concert. 

A production of BT 1 Music in cooperation with the Riga City Council.