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International Internet Magazine. Baltic States news & analytics Tuesday, 19.03.2024, 11:19

Deutsche Oper Berlin hosted a guest performance of Valentīna by Latvian Opera

BC, Riga, 21.05.2015.Print version

On 19 May, Deutsche Oper Berlin hosted a guest performance of Valentīna, an opera composed by Artūrs Maskats and performed by the Latvian National Opera, reports BC the Latvian MFA.

 

This was the main project of the Latvian EU Presidency’s cultural programme in Germany, offered under joint auspices of the German Federal Foreign Minister, Dr. Frank Walter Steinmeier, and the Latvian Foreign Minister, Edgars Rinkevics, thereby highlighting the politically meaningful character of the performance, both in terms of Latvian-German bilateral relations, and in the context of remembrance of the tragic events of history depicted in the opera, 70 years after the end of World War II.

 

The visiting performance of the Latvian National Opera brought together a large audience including representatives from the International Auschwitz Committee, the Foundation Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, the Jewish Museum Berlin, the Riga Committee and other organisations engaged in the Holocaust remembrance and education, members of the Bundestag and German diplomats, the Ambassador of Israel to Germany and other members of the diplomatic corps, journalists, public figures and members of the Latvian diaspora. To pay tribute to the memory of the Holcaust victims, the performance was attended by tenth grade students from the Heinz – Berggrün – Gymnasium. At the invitation of the Latvian Foreign Minister, the performance was attended by Tamar Beruchashvili, the Foreign Minister of Georgia.

 

“This opera and Valentīna Freimane’s life story is a reminder for us that peace and democracy in Europe cannot be regarded as self-evident, they have to be protected on a continuous basis. I am truly happy that one of the top events of the cultural programme of the Latvian EU Presidency is taking place in Berlin. In view of our history, it is not self-evident – nevertheless, this is a great honour that the underscores the friendly ties between our countries,“ emphasised the German Federal Foreign Minister Dr Steinmeier in his address.          

              

The message of the opera confirms Latvia’s commitment to being a trustworthy and reliable partner in safeguarding Europe whole and free. With this in mind, the Minster emphasised the relevance of European values in the current international situation and noted: “We must defend European values and resist and fight any manifestations of intolerance, racism and anti-Semitism. The crimes of National Socialism and Stalinism must never recur.”

 

The opera has been inspired by the life story of Dr Valentīna Freimane, cinema historian and a legendary Latvian cultural figure; the plot reflects the tragic chapters in Latvia’s history from 1939 to 1944, when Latvia suffered under two totalitarian regimes.

 

Dr Valentīna Freimane’s memoirs, “Adieu, Atlantis”, were also published in German this spring. Her life story and the period of World War II depicted in the opera attracted wide interest among the German audiences. Dr Valentīna Freimane was an honoured guest at this particular performance in Berlin.

 

A promotional event for the performance of the opera Valentina brought together 200 guests and was hosted by the Jewish Museum, which is the largest museum in Europe dedicated to the history and traditions of Jewish people. Soloist Inga Kalna and composer Arturs Maskats performed fragments from the opera, and Dr Valentīna Freimane spoke at the conclusion of this event, commending Europe’s approach to dealing with its tragic and controversial historical heritage. She also appreciated what is being done in Latvia to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust and to remember and honour the people who saved Jews during the Holocaust.





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