“Latvians are famous with their

traditions. We love to get

together, celebrate, dance and
sing. It all means not only a
general work, but it also means
feeling of unity, friend’s
shoulder, our people and
earth’s consciousness. Latvian
song and dance festival is on
of those traditions, which are
valued, the most. These are
the moments in which
experience of centuries gives
forces to all generations.”
Latvian folk dance has its
origins in the traditions of
the Baltic tribes, that
arrived in the Baltic
region approximately
2000 years BC. Dances
portray day-to-day life of
the rural communities,as
well as specific events
and reflect on
surroundings important to
the Baltic culture. There
are dances to celebrate
the changes of the
seasons.
The father of the
Latvian theatre Ādolfs
Alunāns was also our
very first professional
dancer.
Folk dancing is an important part
of Latvian culture. The dancers
wear their Latvian folk costume. In
Latvia, each city or region has its
own costume. The costume
designs are centuries old, express
the agrarian past and complement
the folk dance.
The decorative elements
incorporate the signs of ancient,
costumes are chosen to represent
specific areas of Latvia where a
dancer's family has its origins.
 Most dances are performed
with a partner in four or
more couple formations.
Steps are based on the
polka or gallop motives.
Switching partners provides
an opportunity for dancers
to become acquainted with
others in social settings. To
this day in Latvia the age-
old customs are passed on
to new generations through
dance forms combining the
interaction of traditions with
artistic creativity.
These days there are more than
800 folk dance groups and dozens
of modern dance schools in
Latvia. Folk dance also provides
fun and entertainment for
performers and guests at social
gatherings, weddings and
traditional festivals, such as Jani
and others. The intricate dance
patterns and the colorful costumes
are great to watch and fun to
perform. Most Latvian
communities have a dance group
that unites children, teenagers and
adults. Through folk dancing, the
Latvian heritage and spirit, is
revived and always enjoyed.