Krāslava to host Latgale seniors' song and dance festival

On Saturday, 8 August, Krāslava will host the 21st Latgale Region Senior Song and Dance Festival “Latgale skan Krāslavā”. The annual event brings together senior ensembles from all over Latgale, with the venue changing every year. A key tradition is the handover of the festival flag to the next hosts; this time it will travel from Krāslava to Rēzekne Municipality, where seniors are expected to gather again next year.

According to organisers, the flag previously arrived in Krāslava from Ludza. Although Krāslava has hosted a similar event several years ago, this exact format is new to the town. The number of participants initially reached 1,300 people from across Latgale; this year, for various reasons, that figure may be lower, but still substantial.

The festival will feature folklore groups, ethnographic ensembles, vocal groups, choirs, folk dance groups, as well as minority ensembles and European dance groups, including ladies' and line dance formations. Sarmīte Subatoviča, a culture project specialist at Krāslava Culture House and contact for the collectives, has described Latgale seniors as one of the most active population groups. She expressed admiration for their willingness and energy, noting that they happily attend events and rehearsals.

The day will begin with rehearsals, followed by a solemn opening at the Krāslava Roman Catholic Church of St Ludvig. A colourful festive procession from Krāslava Castle complex will follow, with participants showcasing their costumes. In the evening, the festival concert “Latgale skan Krāslavā” will take place on the outdoor stage. The Latgalian language will be especially prominent in performances by folklore groups and ethnographic ensembles, and the opening song will be “Pi Dīveņa gari goldi”.

The event will conclude with a dance evening featuring singer Juris Ostrovskis and saxophonist Romāns Saikovskis. Everyone is invited to dance and enjoy the time together.