April 16 - seminar on the world of dance in exile

We invite you to the seminar “Along the path of dance”, which will take place on April 16 at 6:00 p.m. at the “Latvians Abroad” Museum (84 Dzirnavu Street, Riga). The final seminar in the “Latvian Folklore Studies in Exile” series will offer an insight into the world of dance in the Latvian exile community, presented by Elīna Gailīte, a researcher at the Archives of Latvian Folklore, followed, as with each seminar in the series, by conversations in a convivial atmosphere.

Folk dancing was an essential part of everyday life in Latvian exile communities. Folk dance groups provided an opportunity to maintain Latvian traditions, improve Latvian language skills and strengthen Latvian identity, while also providing an opportunity to enjoy time with fellow dancers. In exile, people performed both dances learned in Latvia and newly created choreographies. Dancing took place at family celebrations, Youth Days, Cultural Days, Dance Festivals and other events.

“Along the path of dance” was not only a direction in which one danced, but also the title of a magazine published in Australia from 1971 to 1985, dedicated to folk dancing, folk dance groups, dancers and Latvian youth. It was published under the direction of Juris Ruņģis by dance enthusiasts living in exile in Australia, later joined by other researchers and dancers from around the world. The seminar will focus primarily on the magazine “Along the path of dance”, its current topics and the people featured in it, while also touching upon the broader landscape of Latvian folk dance practised in exile.

The event is organised by the Latvian folklore research group of the Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art of the University of Latvia within the Latvian Council of Science funded project No. lzp-2024/1-0522, “Latvian Folklore Studies in Exile”, in cooperation with the “Latvians Abroad” Museum.