Why I am in Latvia

Last night I attended the closing concert of the 24th Latvian Song Festival. The concert was held in the open air stadium at Mezaparks (Forest Park), 8km from central Riga. About 15,000 singers and dancers took part, including my wife Anita who was part of the choir of about 13,000 voices.

The Song Festival was first held in 1873 and the next will be in 5 years time. Our older daughter, Jana, participated in the folk dancing - an amazing spectacle of thousands of dancers a few nights ago. The concert last night, however, provided the most comprehensive demonstration of what is inherent in being a Latvian.

I watched the concert with our younger daughter, Lija, and Anita's Latvian relatives, and many thousands of other Latvians. The concert was a mix of traditional folk songs and modern compositions, about 30 in all. The choir was conducted by different conductors - the oldest, in their 80s. The conductors, the living composers and lyricists were all honoured by the choir and the audience.

The Latvian national anthem was sung twice, as the second piece and at the end of the concert. The most popular piece, Martins Brauns' Saule, Perkons, Daugava, was repeated, mainly through the choir's enthusiastic response to their own performance and the appearance of the composer. I first heard the song in Melbourne in the early 90s and it has always been a favourite. Anita said she sang it again at about 4am during the after concert activities.

Lija and I left when the concert finished at about 1:15am. The trams were packed and we walked the 2 or so kms home. As we were leaving the after-concert singing began, with the audience joining in with the choir and the orchestra. Many stayed till it got light after 4am. Anita and our other house guests stayed later. When they did get home they continued singing till about 8am, fortunately in the cellar.

Anita's parents came to Australia in 1950. As descendants of Latvians, Anita and the two girls hold Latvian passports. They are very at home here. As for me, I am just along for the ride, and, I hope, the walk.