Social media erupts over children's behavior at "Manai dzimtenei" concert
A heated online debate has sparked after the grand "Manai dzimtenei" concert in Mežaparks, with many attendees criticizing parents for not controlling their children during the performance.
On Saturday evening, the "Manai dzimtenei" concert took place at the Mežaparks Great Bandstand, featuring over 6,000 singers from more than 200 choirs, along with soloists and actors. The audience enjoyed compositions by Raimonds Pauls. After the event, a heated discussion erupted on Facebook.
A woman named Katrīna posted a call for parents to avoid bringing children to such events if they are not prepared. She described sitting in the front row and watching a young boy run between the choir, orchestra, and conductor for 6–7 songs, particularly disruptive during the collective singing of "Svētvakars". Katrīna, a mother of three, emphasized that having children should not lead to permissiveness and disregard for others.
Other attendees shared similar complaints. One woman reported seeing a child in a cart nearly bump into the event hosts. Several users noted that this is not the first time such behavior has occurred, and that over the last decade, the number of parents failing to control their children seems to have increased.
Suggestions for solutions were also raised. Linda suggested that organizers should locate such parents and sternly advise them to supervise their children. Another commenter argued that security should have the authority to remove parents from the event. One woman expressed concern that these incidents could lead to age restrictions, limiting children's access to cultural events.
The concert was directed by Dita Lūriņa, and afterwards attendees could continue the evening at a communal singing night.
