Latvian ambassador joins celebration in castlebar
LOUGH Lannagh was the setting for a most special occasion for the many Latvian immigrants living in Ireland as they gathered to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of their most famous revolutionary poet and playwright, Rainis, as well as his equally famous spouse, Aspasia.
It involved performances by Dominante, the Mayo/Sligo based Latvian choir and arts group, under the direction of Claremorris-based teacher and choral director Skarleta Mukane, accompanied by Laine Nigule-Belenusa, as well as the Mayo Latvian Support Group and Sunday school under the guidance of Zane Kazotniece.
This illustrious occasion was marked by the presence of two very special guests, His Excellency Dr. Gints Apals, the Latvian Ambassador to Ireland, and Mara Zalite who is one of the foremost and prolific poets in present day Latvia. She read from her poetry collection as well as extracts from her autobiography.
She proved to be a most appropriate choice of guest to mark this occasion as she was born in Siberia after her parents were deported by the Russian regime from 1941 to 1956. Rainis and Aspasia had also been deported to Siberia for their political views and he is regarded as a primary motivator for the 1905 revolution in Latvia. They also share the creation of wonderful philosophical emotional symbolic poetry.
Dominante is a Mayo/Sligo based Latvian arts and choral group, founded in 2013 to promote and develop artistic endeavour based on Latvian tradition and culture. They have performed in many venues around Ireland including the Latvian Cultural Festival in Dublin, the St. John’s Day international celebrations in Ballymote, the Latvian Tragedy Exhibition in Tubbercurry, Fleadh Cheoil Chonnacht in Castlebar 2014, the inaugural Christmas performance in St. Colman’s Church, Claremorris, last December, as well as several other venues.
Dominante intend to increase and expand their group and activities in the near future with the view of integrating their performances with Irish art groups and choirs as well as inviting choral and folk dancing groups from Latvia to tour and participate. They will also engage in fundraising for worthwhile charities in the west of Ireland.
The contact number is (087) 6752844.