Other events in Baltic States

On June 15, 2013, Victoria Embankment Gardens in central London erupted in Latvian song and dance, at the first ever Latvian culture day in London, which was organised by the Association of Latvian Students in collaboration with the Latvian National Council in the UK, and will hopefully become an annual tradition, informed BC the Latvian Institute.

The four hour long programme featured the well-established London Latvian Choir and Latvian Dance Group Londona Dejo, as well as recently established folk group Austrumkalns, kokle group (Latvian national instrument similar to the zither) Zapte, and youth dance group Salinieki. Despite London’s typical intermittent rain showers around 2000 people attended the event and a celebratory atmosphere lasted throughout the day.

In addition to the performances, viewers could enjoy Latvian food, learn about Rīga being the European Capital of Culture next year.

The event was opened by Ambassador Andris Teikmanis – his first public appearance in the UK in his new role, and supported by the Social Integration Fund, the Latvian Embassy in the UK, and Westminster council in London, who granted such a central location for the event.