Today the Līva Village celebrates its 770th anniversary

Today the Līva Village celebrates its 770th anniversary

Today marks 770 years since the Līva River and the village of Līva were first mentioned in written accounts, giving rise to the city of Liepāja, which just turned 398 in March this year.

On 20 and 21 May, the 19th "Līva Village Festival" will be organised in Liepāja, originating from 4 April 2003, when the first "Līva Market" festival was held in Liepāja to mark the 750th anniversary of the Līva River and Līva Village being mentioned in the papers on the partition of Northern Courland. Over the years, the festival has evolved into the largest intangible cultural event in Kurzeme – the "Līva Village Festival". "The festival is celebrated to preserve and develop the values of cultural heritage, to educate the community, to promote awareness and respect for cultural diversity, human creativity, the viability of skills and knowledge, and passing them on from generation to generation," explains B.Kļava.  

The "Līva Market" is an integral part of the festival, attracting nearly 200 craftsmen, artisans, food producers and artists who offer original and quality products made according to folk handcraft tradition, combining age-old craft skills, technological developments and modern design elements, along with workshops introducing the skills of their crafts.

On three stages, the programme "Līva River" will focus on different genres, forms and expressions of folk music. The Big Stage will host ethno bands "Ogas" from Rīga and "Kuršu sievas" from Grobiņa, singer Katrīna Dimanta and "Zeltrači" from Rīga, award-winning music band "Ziņģes brāļi" from Bauska, band "Augusti" from Līvāni, postfolklore band "Rikši" from Rēzekne and men's group "Vilki" from Rīga."

Festival guests will enjoy repertoire dances from the XXVII Latvian Song and XVII Dance Festival, which will be performed by Liepāja folk dance groups in the concert "Amber Coast Folks". Organisers thought of the families with children in mind – the popular "Game Farm" will run in the festival area, giving everyone a chance to have real fun playing various ancient games and learn new skills in master classes. On the second day of the festival, a concert performance "Singing is for You" will be performed by Arnis Miltiņš, a cross-generation loved musician, together with his family, friends and Liepāja children's ensembles.

At the Small Stage, located at the epicentre of the "Līva Market" in Zvejnieku Alley, festival guests can experience the atmosphere of a good old-fashioned market - dancing and singing together with Latvian country folk bands, musical groups and folklore ensembles. "We are expecting guest groups from Klaipėda as well", says L.Šnipke.

This year, for the first time, the "Līva Village" Festival will feature a stage "The Hay Barn" with Latvian bards, as part of Latvia's intangible cultural heritage. On the first day, those represented will include performances by Kārlis Kazāks, Juris Hiršs, Ieva Akurātere, Raimonda Vazdika, Ilze Grunte, Anta Eņģele, Reinis Jaunais and Erna Daugaviete, Āris Ziemelis, Maija Kalniņa and Zanda Štrausa, while on the second day, the well-known so-called "The children of Austra" (Austrasbērni) will gather from all across Liepāja, Riga and other Latvian cities to perform together. "It will be lovely! I believe we have considered the different musical tastes of the audience and everyone will find musical performances they like," adds L.Šnipke.

Soon there will be more information about all the events and a detailed programme on the Liepāja Folk Art and Culture Centre's website www.liepajaskc.lv, on the Facebook accounts of the Culture Centre and Līva Village Festival, as well as in the media.

This year, the gates of the "Līva Village Festival" will open doors to the public on Saturday, 20 May, from 12:00 to 20:00 and on Sunday, 21 May, from 11:00 to 15:00. The festival will take place in Zvejnieku Alley and the neighbouring area of the Seaside Park in Liepāja. You are most welcome!