![]() ![]() Apparently, those who are sceptical in their daily lives while also loyal on a higher level, playing their individual part in a grander story, belong to the Enneagram type 6. I think we’ll look back at the coronavirus lockdown with similar feelings. It all results in that very, very special feeling of being united and being sure that we’re doing exactly what we have to in that moment. Similarly, we think of the Song and Dance Festivals when people spend so much time at rehearsals and on their feet. Everyone joined because we felt we had to. ![]() It’s amazing what we, Latvians remember of ourselves when thinking of the Barricades in 1991 – we were so self-aware, so united, pooling all our resources. As it turns out, types can apply both to individuals and larger groups, even nations! Indeed, there are characteristics which are most noticeable at times of stress or specific circumstances. It happened during a seminar on Enneagrams. This song just recently found me and it hit me that it’s exactly what I want to play as I present Latvia on my tours. Selga Mence and Agris Pilsums, Kur tu biji, bāleliņi (Where Were You Brother) So, even when grey and moody for a long time, any waterfront still sounds like hope – warming up on a “slow fire”. It seems that any beach, shore, bank, queue, coast, even when scattered around the country and far from the sea, still has enough space for each of us, the world’s infamous introverts. Never seeing a stroll by the sea as an extraordinary initiative like many other cultures around the world. The beach you see in the video is more or less the same all along its 500 km, and the way the man runs is the way Latvians tend to visit it. We’ll rejoice in the victory of dawn over dusk. Even when there’s no one around, even when it’s chilly and bleak, even when we shed a tear, we always know things will work out. ![]() Latvia can be grey and moody for a long time, but it always sounds like hope. In my mind it’s also one of the best combinations of media capable of answering what Latvia sounds like. They create an amalgam that, when separated, completely misses the point. Sometimes a music video builds on a song in a perfect manner. Mārtiņš Eņģelis, Editor-in-Chief, CAPITAL R This is attested by their track 60tie (60s). Under his leadership, the band’s first records sounded incredibly current and potent. At the time, few thought that the small town boys – Prāta Vētra – would gain such popularity. The other is a group of dandies from Riga – Nejautā (Don’t Ask) – who payed close attention to their style, listened to Depeche Mode and Midnight Oil, and stole the hearts of teenage females. One is Prāta Vētra (Brainstorm) founded by a group of schoolmates from Jelgava who wore ragged jeans and oversized shirts, and played simple but heartfelt music. Two new bands appeared on the Latvian pop scene in the early 90s. ![]() Jānis Žilde, Deputy Editor of TVNET, Music Journalist and Band Member of Satellites LV And, of course, it just sounds epic at the Song and Dance Festival. It touches on our roots and our ancestors’ way of turning to the gods (not the Christian one!) for support in helping others and getting things done, rather than boosting one’s ego. The song speaks of the ancient Latvians who we’ve sort of neglected these days. Raimonds Tiguls and Nora Ikstena, Dod, Dieviņi (God, Give) Enjoy the musical journey! Arvīds Barānovs, Photographer and Videographer, Eaglewood Pictures They’re people whose day-to-day is telling Latvia’s story through music, words, pictures or personal passion. I asked some locals to share an iconic song worth listening to to help understand the context of Latvia and its people, and fit into a Latvian crowd. If you identify with the sentiment, are moving to Latvia or live with a Latvian, this post aims to provide insight through song. I was grateful to my local colleagues for taking the time to explain the tradition. At public events like the Carnaval de Binche in Belgium I was a mere bystander, an onlooker trying to make sense of what was going on around me. While living abroad again, I experienced first hand how the lack of these shared cultural experiences can make it hard to feel like you belong. Of course, as we got older, music became something through which we bonded and found likeminded people. Through it all we learnt about the Singing Revolution and other key moments in local history. That cultural education sure helped adapt to life in the ‘Land that sings’* when we eventually moved when I was seven.Īt school in Latvia we sang to mark special occasions, compulsory choir was a thing and we’d pick apart lyrics to find their hidden meaning. Through music, films and stories they, my grandparents and wider community raised me to be and identify as Latvian. I was born in Australia to Latvian parents. ![]()
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