Daiļrade Gold

Rehearsal Director: Kristaps Baumanis

Accompanist: Skaidrīte Daugule

The Middle Generation Folk Dance Ensemble “Daiļrade” was founded in early 2009, when a group of former dancers from Dance Ensemble “Daiļrade” at the Riga Culture and Folk Arts Centre “Mazā Ģilde” reunited. The ensemble was initially led by Andris Bergmanis, rehearsal director of Dance Ensemble “Daiļrade”. That same year, the group performed at the first Riga Dance Festival in Arena Riga, presenting a programme of classic Latvian folk dances.

The following season, at the invitation of Silva Štelfa, Artistic Director of Dance Ensemble “Daiļrade”, ensemble dancer Gunita Zirne became the group’s Artistic Director—a position she continues to hold today. In 2012, during the Latvian Folk Dance Ensemble Review, the group officially adopted the name Middle Generation Folk Dance Ensemble “Daiļrade”, reflecting its continuity with the artistic traditions and dance school established by Dance Ensemble “Daiļrade”. During this period, accompanist Arta Laupace also joined the ensemble.

From 2020 to 2022, the ensemble was led by Vilnis Brēmanis. This period coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, when most rehearsals took place online or outdoors. Under his direction, the ensemble participated in the 2022 Latvian Folk Dance Review and the large-scale concert performance “Dziesma dejo. Deja skan.” in Mežaparks. During this time, rehearsal director Anta Grīnvalde and accompanist Ilze Poķe joined the artistic team.

The ensemble’s mission is to preserve and promote the traditions of Latvian folk and stage dance, share the joy of dance with audiences, strive for the highest artistic standards, and provide dancers with the opportunity to continue their dance journey into the next stage of life.

The ensemble has participated in the XXV Latvian Song and XV Dance Festival, performing at both Daugava Stadium and the Mežaparks Open-Air Stage, as well as in the XXVI Latvian Song and XVI Dance Festival, held during Latvia’s Centenary celebrations, with performances at Daugava Stadium, Arena Riga, and the Mežaparks Grand Stage.

The ensemble has also performed in the large-scale dance production “No zobena saule lēca” (“From the Sword the Sun Rose”) in 2013 and 2016 at Ķīpsala, and in 2018 at Vecāķi Beach.