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Dance

Folk Dance Ensemble “Līgo”

Year founded:
1945
Participant's average age:
16 – 33
Participants:
58
Website:
Facebook
Head's name:
Jānis Purviņš
Phone:
+371 29166667
Email:
janis.purvins@gmail.com

The history of Folk Dance Ensemble “Līgo” dates back to 1945 in Riga, when a group of dance enthusiasts came together to begin rehearsing Latvian folk dances. In 1965, the ensemble was awarded the title of Folk Dance Ensemble, and two years later, its members officially adopted the name “Līgo.”

In 1995, Jānis Purviņš became the ensemble’s Artistic Director, transforming “Līgo” into a creative laboratory for contemporary Latvian folk dance. Since then, the ensemble has continuously premiered original choreographies, dance productions, and full-length performance programmes. Its creative achievements have been recognised nationwide, with “Līgo” becoming a multiple laureate of the Latvian Contemporary Folk Dance Choreography Competition.

Alongside the creation of new choreography and the pursuit of artistic excellence, the ensemble is dedicated to preserving Latvia’s cultural heritage by promoting traditional folk music and maintaining authentic Latvian folk costume traditions.

In 2011, the Riga Latvian Society House hosted the premiere of the dance production “The Serpent’s Bride” (Zalkša līgava), created by Dace Micāne-Zālīte, Jānis Purviņš, Dāvis Stalts, and Ieva Tālberga. Rich in symbolism, the performance tells the legendary story of the meeting of two worlds—sea and land—through themes of love, family, separation, and reunion. Following its successful premiere, the production toured extensively throughout Latvia and has been performed in Riga, Liepāja, Saldus, Dzintari, Mazirbe, Līvāni, Bārta, Ludza, and Krāslava.

Awards at the Latvian Song and Dance Festival Competitions

  • 1955 – 1st Place, III Latvian Dance Festival
  • 2003 – Encouragement Award, XIII Latvian Dance Festival
  • 2008 – 2nd Place, XIV Latvian Dance Festival
  • 2008 – 1st Place in the Folk Costume Competition (Dance Ensemble Category)
  • 2013 – 2nd Place, XV Latvian Dance Festival
  • 2013 – Grand Prize for the Ensemble’s Folk Costume Collection

Over the decades, Folk Dance Ensemble “Līgo” has earned numerous awards at national and international competitions and festivals and has represented Latvia in Australia, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, England, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Nepal, Norway, Peru, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United States.

Artistic Directors

  • Arvīds Donass (1945–1947)
  • Zenta Bolohina (1947–1950)
  • Zinaīda Sama (1950–1960)
  • Uldis Heinsoo (1960–1971)
  • Jānis Upītis (1971–1995)
  • Jānis Purviņš (since 1995)

Today, the ensemble is led by Jānis Purviņš, together with rehearsal directors Linda Tiļčika and Guna Trukšāne, and accompanist Ilze Barkāne.