Latvian choirs perform a concert performance “Daugava” in Finland / Article

As a very special gift to Latvia during the holidays, this concert performance was prepared here, in one of the most famous places in Helsinki – in a church built inside a rock, which is both a church and a wonderful concert hall.

In order for the songs of “Daugava” to be heard here, the road was long as each choir prepared separately, until the very eve when everyone met for a joint rehearsal in the nearby school hall.

Luxembourgish choir “Melusina”, Adaži choir “Saknes”, Finnish “Ziemeļmeita” and Danish choir “In corde meo”.

The idea of ​​the concert performance originally came from one of the singers of the “Saknes” choir – Artis Virs. At first, only “Roots” sang it. But last year at the Song Festival they met “Ziemeļmeita” and decided to gather other choirs.

“I have a clear feeling that in everything related to this cycle, to “Daugava”, it’s as if someone is guiding us very carefully, but purposefully. Everywhere we go, doors open for us everywhere,” said the concert host “Daugava” the author of the idea is Artis Virsis.

“It’s really unbelievable, we ourselves can’t believe it until we are there and stand on the stage. It’s really very impressive, also emotional. We’ll see how we’ll do…” said Klaida Kalniņa, singer of the “Saknes” choir.

“Nevertheless, very high-level concerts are held there. And that’s why we are really glad that Ilmārs Millers, the leader of the “Ziemeļmeitas” choir, was able to negotiate an opportunity that is so important to us on this particular date, that we get there and perform, where basically only professional groups perform, ” added Arijs Adamsons, conductor of the concert performance “Daugava”.

In order not only to hear the music, but also to tell the audience the story of our struggle for independence, all the lyrics were also sung in Finnish.

Ludwig and Selina, concertgoers from France: It was fantastic! You know, we are French. We do not understand Latvian or Finnish. But we could feel the atmosphere of it all. It was very close to my heart. Its atmosphere and its voices.. Unbelievable.

Ainami and Skali, concertgoers from Japan: Wonderful sound. I feel happy. Very very happy.. This is the first time I listen to Latvian music.

Lauri, concert visitor from Finland: Fantastic! Very patriotic, of course.

Sanna, Henna and Leo, concertgoers from Finland: Very powerful! Yes. The message was clear. Emotionally overwhelming. And I was very impressed by the man who was the storyteller. He was so great!

Meanwhile, choirs think that they should continue to sing “Daugava” more often. Also the full length of Brownian cycles.

“To be able to give it to the world and people, because it is very modern, contemporary and relevant music, will always be relevant. World-class music. Therefore, we have to spread and sing. And give our energy to the audience and to ourselves as well. This is very , very charging and gives a lot of energy,” said Sanita Birkova-Huarta, the singer of the Luxembourgish Latvian choir “Meluzīna”.