Dance Ensemble “Daiļrade”

Folk Dance Ensemble “Daiļrade” was founded on 14 November 1990 with the support of Valdis Grimze, Director of the production association Daiļrade. Until the end of 2011, the ensemble was led by its founder, Silva Štelfa, a soloist of the State Dance Ensemble “Daile.”

Since January 2012, the ensemble has been under the artistic direction of Iveta Pētersone-Lazdāne—Chief Choreographer of both the Latvian Song and Dance Festival and the Latvian School Youth Song and Dance Festival, member of Latvia’s Dance Advisory Council, and mentor to the Latvian dance community.

The artistic team also includes distinguished dance professionals:

• Anton Freimans – Ballet Master and Rehearsal Director, artist of the Latvian National Opera and Ballet
• Vera Ozola – Rehearsal Director
• Jānis Lācis – Accompanist

The ensemble’s artistic development has also been shaped by renowned dance educators and choreographers, including Andis Staļevskis, Juris Lainis, Andris Bergmanis, Ignats Ančāns, Intars Jundze, Zane Teikmane, Vladimirs Ponomarjovs, and accompanist Alvīne Eriņa.

Today, Folk Dance Ensemble “Daiļrade” brings together talented, highly motivated dancers for whom dance is not only a passion but a way of life. The ensemble consistently competes among Latvia’s leading folk dance ensembles, earning top awards in national competitions and representing Latvia at prestigious international events.

Among its international appearances are performances at the opening ceremony of the European Union Green Week, organised during Latvia’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in Berlin, Germany, as well as at Latvia’s national culture and tourism presentation in Beijing, China.

Since its foundation, the ensemble has participated in every Latvian Song and Dance Festival. In 2018, both the A and D groups of Folk Dance Ensemble “Daiļrade” were awarded the Grand Prize at the XXVI Latvian Song and XVI Dance Festival—the highest honour in Latvian stage folk dance. Earlier, at the XXV Latvian Song and XV Dance Festival, the ensemble won 1st Place in the national final competition and became one of the festival’s laureates.

For the opening ceremony of the World Choir Games 2014 in Riga, choreographer Agris Daņiļevičs, in collaboration with the folk-rock group Elektrofolk, created two groundbreaking choreographic works for the ensemble—“Jāņu nakti lietus lija” and “Aiz Daugavas vara dārzs.” These performances introduced a new choreographic genre known as folk ballet, blending Latvian stage folk dance with contemporary theatrical expression. The productions captivated audiences not only in Arena Riga, but also at the prestigious National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, at Lithuania’s dance show Kadagys, and before international competition juries. International dance professionals have praised the ensemble for pioneering a new direction in the development of Latvian stage folk dance.

The two folk ballet works were also presented at the Riga Spring 2017 International Competition for Professional Choreographers and Performers, where choreographer Agris Daņiļevičs received First Prize, while the dancers of Folk Dance Ensemble “Daiļrade” were awarded the jury’s Grand Prize for their outstanding artistic performance.

To celebrate the ensemble’s 25th anniversary in 2016, the original dance production “Cieši, cieši!” (“Close Together!”) was created. The production highlights Latvian identity and folk dance traditions while presenting the ensemble’s artistic vision for the future. Its central aim is to further develop the folk ballet genre in Latvia and internationally through contemporary interpretations of traditional folk culture.

In 2019, together with choreographers L. Lipore and I. Drele, the ensemble created the dance production “Dzersim kāzas trīs dieniņas. Dziedāsim. Dancosim.” (“Let Us Celebrate the Wedding for Three Days. Let Us Sing. Let Us Dance.”) for the Sudmaliņas Festival, featuring music by Tautumeitas and Auļi. Inspired by traditional Latvian wedding customs, the production received widespread acclaim from both Latvian and international dance professionals and continues to move audiences with its emotional depth.

The repertoire of Folk Dance Ensemble “Daiļrade” includes both treasured classics from the ensemble’s Golden Collection and numerous original choreographies created specifically for the company. Many of these works have been recognised at national choreography competitions and international festivals, with several becoming part of the official repertoire of the Latvian Song and Dance Festival. Together, these productions represent the ensemble’s distinctive artistic identity and its internationally recognised contribution to the development of folk ballet.

Beyond artistic excellence, the ensemble is committed to preserving Latvian cultural heritage. Through dance, it seeks to strengthen national identity, foster a sense of unity and belonging, and inspire appreciation for Latvia’s cultural traditions among both performers and audiences.