November 2013, Budapest

Latvians have a rich heritage of traditional folklore, especially folk songs

more than 1.2 million texts and 30,000 melodies of folk songs have been identified

the dainas or Latvian folk songs represent traditions with a long history that is very much alive in Latvian culture today

the dainas is one of the most extensive folk song collections in the world

it is Latvia's national heritage and UNESCO has included it in its list.

a folklorist Krišjānis Barons has put a great work into collecting and codifying Dainas 

the Cabinet of Folk songs (Dainu skapis)

contains over two million Dainas

according to the position of the sun Latvians’ have 4 main solstices:winter solstice when the day is the

shortest and the night the longestspring and autumn solstices when the

day is as long as the nightsummer solstice when the day is the

longest and the night is the shortest

Summer solstice

Winter solstice

Autumn solstice

Springsolstice

each quarter was devided in two parts and these annual traditions were connected with important changes in nature

Easter is time for celebrating the spring solstice, usually in March or April

traditional Easter activities include:colouring eggs with natural colours

(onion skins) egg rolling and battles Swinging attending concerts by folklore ansambles going to traditional fairs

main traditional Easter food is in the round form of the sun

pepole serve boiled, coloured eggs, peas, special Easter cookies and cakes, roast and

different types of salads

in ancient Latvia, Jurģi was a festival held on April 23.

it was the beginning of summer, and the first day of outdoor farmwork and shepherding.

it was sacred to the God Usins.

a great feast, the celebration of the summer solstice on June 23-24

the time is spent by different rituals and activities

women and girls wear a crown of flowers on their heads, while men wear a crown

of oak leaves rooms and doors are decorated with birch

branches but shed and barn doors with rowan branches traditional food items on Midsummer night are caraway cheese and beer

Miķeļi is the autumn solstice.  In ancient Latvia,it was a festival held on September 29

The holiday was held sacred and associated with the Gods Miķelis and Jumis.

It is important point in a farmer’s daily rhythm, the important chores and activities in the fields were finished

the traditional fairs invite people to taste local products – healthy and nature friendly food, dairy products, herbal teas and fruit juices

Latvian craftmen’s present a wide choice of handmade wickerworks, textiles and

wooden products, jeweleries, ornaments and other items

Mārtiņi is celebrated on November 10 People make and put on masks Sing songs Eat roasted cock

Christmas is celebrated on December 24. people decorate rooms and christmas tree people put on masks and go from house to

house sing christmas songs pull special log eat 9 different dishes

Latgale region

Vidzeme region

Zemgale regionKurzeme region

Selijas region

the Latvian Song and Dance Festival is an important event in Latvian  cultural and social life.

The Latvian Song and Dance Festival has been held since 1873, normally every four years.

Kālabad ik vakaru Gaisa gali atsarkuši? Saule savus zīda svārkus Ik vakaru vēdināja. (Ltdz.)

Why is it that the tips of the skyAre rosy every single eve?Every eve the sun hangs outHer silken skirts to air. (Lfs.)