Performers alternately sing and dance at Mežaparks in Latvia
In the heart of Riga, Latvia, the river Daugava played host to an extraordinary event this August. Known as "Dance with Song," the performance was a 2.5-hour journey along the river, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the region.
The event, which made its debut in 2022, took place on either Friday, 8 August, or Saturday, 9 August, in the evening. A grand spectacle, it brought together no less than 365 folk dance groups, choirs, folklore groups, and contemporary dance performers. Over 8,000 singers and dancers participated in this unique event, making it a truly memorable occasion.
The narrative of the event was centred around the story of the Daugava river, providing a fitting backdrop for the performances. The first day of the performance offered a "beach atmosphere" and was sunny, while Thursday was filled with rehearsals from 9 AM to 8 PM.
The morning of Wednesday, 6 August, saw the choirs and dancers arrive for a full day of rehearsals. However, they encountered some unexpected issues. A power outage in a large part of Mežaparks and the absence of the service team caused problems with a vending machine.
Despite these challenges, the show must go on. The performance featured traditional folklore, modern arrangements, and compositions by various artists including Pērkons, Zodiaks, Jānis Stībelis, and Idille. The stage was swapped for spectator seating during the performance, with dancers on the grass slope and choirs on the sides.
The participants' official caterers provided coffee to the singers and dancers throughout the event. Some viewers also attended the dress rehearsal on 7 August, getting a glimpse of the final performance, which took place from 9:30 PM to midnight on both Friday and Saturday.
The artistic director, Agris Daņiļevičs, believes that singers and dancers should be seen as a team, not as different disciplines. This unity was evident in the seamless transition between music and dance performances.
The show concluded with a party that lasted until Sunday morning, providing a fitting end to this remarkable event. However, the name of the choreographer, artistic director, and director of the event "Düna," which premiered in 2022 with 6,000 participants, is not currently available in the search results.
"Dance with Song" is a testament to the power of music and dance, with the two considered integral parts. It's an event that celebrates Latvia's rich cultural heritage and brings people together in a beautiful display of unity and creativity.
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