Family Traditions Take Center Stage at "Ielīcas" Event
On August 16, the ethnographic farmstead "Ielīcas" in Valka region will host an event where families from different cultures showcase the transmission of traditions.
For the seventh year, the ethnographic farmstead "Ielīcas" in Vijciems parish will open its gates for a special gathering. This year's theme is the power of family and passing down traditions. The event "Ģimeņu spēks Ielīcās" (Family Strength at Ielīcas) will take place on August 16, conceived and directed by Kristīne Liepa.
The program features stories of families from various backgrounds and art forms. A special place is reserved for the family of Zigurds Neimanis, where folk dance has been a shared language across generations. A Roma family from Viļaka will present their rich cultural heritage, emphasizing that family is the keeper of traditions. Meanwhile, tango dancers Guntars Graiksts and Ginta Gaumala from the Rīga Tango Studio "El Abrazo" will perform Argentine tango as a conversation of trust and respect.
The folk dance ensemble "Liesma," celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, will contribute a special performance. A singing Estonian family, whose musical journey began in 1991, will enrich the program with traditional music. The hosts of "Ielīcas" themselves exemplify how a family can rescue and maintain an old farmstead, restoring buildings and tending the land.
The event aims to demonstrate that cultural heritage lives within families – through shared work, songs, and dances. On August 16, "Ielīcas" will bring together different generations and cultures to prove that family strength is the foundation for preserving traditions and shaping the future.
