International folk, dance and music festival 

"THE RHYTHM OF GREEN LATVIA"

9-12 August, 2019

Apply until 01.04.2019.

Share your country cultural heritage and explore Latvia one of the greenest and smallest countries in Europe, full of small nature miracles, rich culture and traditions and history like legend. Heart of Latvia Cēsis is ready to welcome you to show you Latvia’s diverse culture, nature, give you an unforgettable experience and opportunity to introduce Latvia with your culture, music, dance and traditions.

The main purpose of this festival is to bring diverse cultures closer through songs, dances, music and interesting national costumes. The main idea of the organizers is to bring to the festival different choirs, folklore and modern dance groups from different countries and various parts of the world and to give them the exclusive opportunity to display their artistry and creativity on the stage. The participants will have the opportunity to meet new people, establish new friendships and learn about different cultures and traditions. The idea of the festival is to develop communication and dialogue between diverse cultures, by nurturing tradition as well as modern dance styles, thus combining the traditional and the modern in a timeline that will take the spectators from history to modern times.

The concert will be organized in Cesis – in the hart of old city. 

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Program

1. Arriving day – 09.08.2019. – Friday

Airport pick up (if necessary).

On first day you will start with exploring the capital city Riga. If you will arrive late you will have this great possibility in last day of festival (optional).

Riga - this ancient city is a place where different architectural styles of different time periods meet in one place. Travel through time and explore many faces of Riga.

We start by walking around the Old town of Riga – the historical center of economics, politics and rich culture. Old town is well-known for recreation and entertainment. Experience unique atmosphere of the old city while walking around cobbled streets with and diverse architecture in one of a kind heritage site. Tour features such significant buildings as Riga Castle, Riga Cathedral and House o Blackheads and many others. Riga’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Riga is also capital of Northern European’s Art Nouveau Capital, and much more…

In the evening arrival at the hostel/hotel.

Dinner - different Latvian traditional dishes will be served at every dinner, you will have possibility to try cold beet soup, stewed cabbage, gray peas with bacon and others.

2. Cesis day – 10.08.2019. – Saturday  

Breakfast. Collective managers meeting.

Explore Cesis, - symbol of Latvian history, one of oldest cities in Latvia.  Eight hundred years ago first the first stone city construction was put in place where later stood the mightiest medieval fortress in Livonia, but today – the most impressive and well-preserved castle ruins in Latvia. Castle ruins New Cesis Castle, together with the park, create the romantic atmosphere of the town. For more romantic you can go to visit majestic black swans in Maija park. Squares with flower beds, fountains, parks, small cafes, art workshops, narrow streets of the old town will make you to fell in love the city. A city tour and visit in an ancient jewel blacksmith (optional).

Excursion to the Cesis New Castle and the Medieval Castle (optional).

Free time.

Culture afternoon – time to be together, to share culture and traditions, dances, songs.  Although Latvia is small, we have rich culture and we are proud of it. Keeping cultural values and teaching others is a way how to show our love to our land, country, history and nation. During event you will have possibility to learn and explore diversity of our traditional culture, you will learn traditional dances, songs, participate in traditional rituals traditionally rituals in the light of the fire. To make this experience even more complete, you will taste Latvian beer and traditional Latvian food.  During the event, we will look for common and different in our cultures, so we kindly invite you to teach some of your traditional dances and songs and present your country and learning Latvian ancient, rich cultural heritage – traditional dance evening with traditional music group, Latvian food degustation.

3. Countryside side day / Parade / Concert day – 11.08.2019. – Sunday

Breakfast.

Excursions - reveals the true taste and nature miracles of Latvia. You can choose between two routes.

1. Excursion (optional)

Zvarte Rock - one of the most picturesque sandstone cliffs on the banks of the Amata River. Zvārtes Rock is famous for the many mythical stories associated with it. There are a lot of legends about this cliff involving stories of how witches and devils could be found in the area, especially during the winter and summer solstices. The name of the rock is borrowed from the neighbouring ‘Zvarte’ house. A magnificent view opens up from river and the top of the rock. There is a convenient staircase to reach these viewpoints.

Bread house - a traditional Latvian farmhouse where you will learn Latvian traditions, you will hear a story about long road between grain and bread. Here you will try real taste of Latvia, taste of history, culture and pride - Latvian bread. And also you will cook bacon pies on your own.

Visit in brewery of Valmiera Manor (Valmiermuiža). Latvia definitely is destination for beer lovers. Beer is present in every moment and especially during Summer Solstice celebration. In Valmiera Manor brewery you will taste beer which is considered as one of the best in Latvia. 

2. Excursion (optional)

Taste unique prepared infusions made only from spring, summer and autumn berries gathered in Latvia.

“Health Laboratory” is a Latvian festive tradition, folk medicine and knowledge inherited, combined and perfected over 30 years of practice enabling to offer not only the highest quality products, but also to ensure a nuanced and perfected flavor.

“Donas” an old bakery, where you can see the bread baking process, same one how the bread was baked hundreds of years ago -  from kneading the dough till warm, aromatic bread loaf. In end of excursion you will try magic Latvian taste fresh black rye bread with local honey and country milk.

Sietiņiezis rock formed over millions of years of natural processes amazing, unseen forms of nature. The Sietiņiezis Rock is the largest white sandstone detrition in Latvia. - 15 m high, 400 m wide. Here you can feel peace and majesty of nature.

In afternoon return.

Preparation for the event. Dinner.

Festival parade in center of Cesis – participate all groups, showing their traditional costumes and national flags.

Concert in the heart of old city. Awarding the festival participants.

4. Day - Riga day – 12.08.2019. – Monday

Breakfast.

Free time in Riga. 

Getting to the airport.

Groups, who arrive late in first day, will have excursions in Riga (optional).

OPTIONAL – If you stay more days:

5.Day – Baltic sea day – 13.08.2019. – Thursday

Breakfast.

Excursion to the Baltic sea. Latvia has one of the longest seashores in Europe, here in Riga Gulf you will meet the calmer waters, white sands, the stone beaches of Vidzeme, rocky outcrops and peace of nature. And maybe you will have luck to find Baltic sea amber.

In afternoon return. Dinner.

6.Day – Sigulda day – 14.08.2019. – Wednesday

Breakfast.

Excursion to the Sigulda. Sigulda one of most beautiful and visited cities, will welcome you with surrounded by forests, beautiful valleys, amazing views, impressive nature objects, caves, cliffs, river Gauja, three medieval castles, one of most popular museums in Latvia – Turaida Museum Reserve, world-famous vertical wind tunnel “AERODIUM”, Amber workshop and other interesting activities. 

In afternoon return. Dinner.

***

Participation fee:

  • 149 Euro per person in youth hostel (3 nights with 2 meals per day - breakfast and dinner).
  • 199 Euro for per person in 3*** comfort hotel (3 nights with 2 meals per day - breakfast and dinner).
  • Every 21st  person in the group is free of charge (20 paying participants + 1 free).

Payment rules:

  • Approved groups pay in advance a 10% guarantee fee, which is to be deducted at the final payment.
  • Next stage payment 30% for booking of accommodation. 
  • Rest of payment 60% - 30 days before start of festival.

Participation fee includes:

  • Airport transfer (if necessary).
  • Accommodation according to the price selected.
  • Meals - breakfast and dinner.
  • Participation fee.
  • Culture afternoon – time to be together, to share culture and traditions, dances, songs.
  • Official letter of invitation and other documents.
  • Participation in the festival concert with rehearsal on the main stage.
  • Security guards and medical personal in the festival concert
  • Water during the performance for every participant.
  • Souvenirs and certificate for every participant.
  • A companion to your group.
  • Organization and implementation of the festival.
  • Transport – hostel/hotel to festival events and back.
  • Free parking for the bus (if necessary).

Participation fee not includes:

  • Transport to Latvia and back.
  • Optional tours.
  • Insurance.

Extra pay (optional):

  • All extra excursions with transport (included: transport, guide, entrance fees, tastings) – 80 EUR.
  • All extra excursions without transport (included: guide, entrance fees, tastings) – 60 EUR.

If you stay more days (optional):

  • Extra day: in youth hostel - 25 EUR per person, in comfort hotel – 35 EUR per person (included breakfast and dinner).
  • Excursion to Baltic sea - if you stay more days - in 4th day - (included transport, guide) – 25 EUR per person.
  • Excursion to Sigulda - if you stay more days - in 5th day - (included transport, guide, entrance fees) – 35 EUR per person.

Conditions of the festival:

  • In the festival can take part folklore dance and song groups, vocal groups, instrumental groups, as well as groups from other art styles - majorettes, jazz, hip hop, classic ballet ect...
  • There is no age limit.
  • Number of participating groups is limited.
  • Organizers provide invitation letters.
  • Groups from all over the world can take part in this festival.
  • Folk dance groups, modern dance groups, choirs, but also majorette teams and brass bands and orchestras are welcome to apply.
  • The number of participants and followers is not limited.
  • It is necessary to prepare minimum one program with the duration of 10 - 12 minutes per program.
  • Each group should bring the national flag of the country that they represent.
  • It is also necessary to visibly display panel on which the name of your group and the name of your country is inscribed.
  • It is recommended that groups should bring about 12 – 15 small gifts for exchange. Participants can perform with orchestras (recommended) or with recorded music (on CD or USB).
  • To participate in this festival, every group needs to fill in an application form. When applying, if possible, please provide some photos, videos or brief history of the group. These materials will be used for promotional and advertising purposes (in advertisements, fliers and posters). 
  • After receiving the application form and completion of advance payment, the organizer will send an official letter of invitation for participation at the Festival.

DOWNLOAD PROGRAM PDF

Any group willing to participate must submit an Application form >>>