Recordings of Latvian Ethnographic Ensembles Now Available on the LFK YouTube Channel

Ethnographic ensembles are a vital part of Latvia’s traditional music landscape. While most were established during the Soviet era—beginning in the mid-1950s—their prototypes date back to the interwar period and even earlier. Although these ensembles were once integrated into the Soviet stage culture, during the Third Awakening of the 1980s, they became key preservers and transmitters of ancient traditions and folk songs. Their performances and concerts played a significant role in the folklore revival movement and the Singing Revolution.

The recent recordings of Latvian ethnographic ensembles were made under the guidance of Aigars Lielbārdis, a researcher at the Archives of Latvian Folklore (LFK), between 2015 and 2018, in collaboration with the Latvian National Library’s Sound Recording Studio. These recordings are compiled in the LFK collection titled "Recordings of Ethnographic Ensembles" (No. 2235), which features the repertoires of 24 ensembles from various regions of Kurzeme and Latgale. The performances were recorded in audio and also documented on video.

Until now, the audio recordings were available on the LFK's digital archive garamantas.lv, but the video materials had not been accessible to the public. Thanks to the support of the State Culture Capital Foundation, a selection of these ensemble performances is now available on the LFK YouTube channel, providing not only an opportunity to hear their music but also to see the performers and appreciate the rich diversity of regional folk costumes.

Video performances are now available from the ethnographic ensembles of Alsunga, Baltinava, Bārta, Beņislava, Bozova, Gudenieki, Jūralne, Nīca, Medņeva, Rucava, Sauna, and Rikava. In the near future, more ensemble recordings will be prepared and published online in video format.

Just as during the years of Soviet occupation, ensemble members today continue to preserve, nurture, and pass on their local singing and musical traditions—sharing them with audiences across Latvia and presenting the richness of Latvian folk music to the world.

Image: Bārta Ethnographic Ensemble, 2015. Photo by Aigars Lielbārdis.