Riga will host the 20th Baltic Student Song and Dance Festival "Gaudeamus", bringing together 5,000 students from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Festival events will take place at the University of Latvia, Vērmanes Garden, Dailes Theatre, Riga Cathedral, Old Riga and Brīvības Square. Festival will bring together student artistic ensembles from higher education institutions across the Baltic states – 66 choirs, 44 folk dance ensembles and 9 wind orchestras. The “Gaudeamus” tradition began in 1956 in Tartu, and since then the festival has been held 19 times across the Baltics. It is a significant part of Baltic cultural and academic identity, promoting the preservation of traditions and the involvement of young people in folk culture. The festival represents an important stage in safeguarding the unique Song and Dance Festival tradition and strengthening the unity of the Baltic states. It is held alternately in one of the Baltic countries.
The festival programme:
On 19 June
folk music and dance programme will take place at Dome Square in cooperation with the "Grass Market" ("Zāļu tirgus").
17:00 the festival’s opening concert in the Great Hall of the University of Latvia (with free entrance tickets. Information on how to obtain the free tickets will follow.)
20:00 Folk Dance Ensemble Concert at the Dailes Theatre.
On 20 June
13:00 wind orchestras will perform in Vērmanes Garden
20:00 Sacred Music Concert is planned at Riga Cathedral.
On 21 June
16:00 participants will march from Old Riga to Brīvības Square
17:00 the grand concert "To Infinity…" ("Līdz bezgalībai…")
Admission to the festival’s open-air concerts is free of charge. Admission to the concerts at the Dailes Theatre and the Great Hall of the University of Latvia is available with free entrance tickets. Information on how to obtain the free tickets will follow.