A Celebration of South Kurzeme Polyphony to Take Place in Nīca

Continuing to explore and showcase the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the South Kurzeme region, on October 5th, starting at 11:00 AM, the Nīca Cultural Center will host the "South Kurzeme Polyphony Celebration," bringing together ethnographic ensembles and folklore groups from the region and Liepāja. The event will also feature informative lectures.

"The South Kurzeme Polyphony Celebration has already become a tradition in our area – it was first held in 2019 in Nīca, then moved to Otaņķi, then to Bārta, and now the circle is complete as we welcome folklore groups and ethnographic ensembles back to Nīca. It is very important to keep our cultural and historical heritage alive. This time, it will focus on 'vilkšana' or the long call, and melodies sung in harmony at different pitches, known as 'leiši'," says Eva Krētaine, the event organizer at Nīca's Cultural Center, highlighting the significance of the event.

In the first part of the event, Daina Lāce, a leading researcher at the Art History Institute of the Latvian Academy of Arts, will share her research on the colorful diversity of Nīca's shirts, along with insights and discoveries from her study. Additionally, Latvian Academy of Arts PhD student Una Valtere will present a lecture on "The diversity of embroidered belts (bead belts) and wearing habits in the 19th and early 20th centuries."

Visitors and participants will also have the opportunity to engage in various creative workshops, where they can make keepsakes from the event. This will be followed by demonstrations and masterclasses from vocal pedagogue Ieva Dreimane-Sidare for participants and group leaders to improve their skills.

The central event will be a group sing-along around the campfire. Participants will include the Nīca Ethnographic Ensemble, the Nīca Folklore Group "Rakari," the Bārta Ethnographic Ensemble, the Rucava Ethnographic Ensemble and Children's Folklore Group, the Otaņķi Ethnographic Ensemble, and the Liepāja Children's and Youth Center Folklore Group "Ķocis," as well as the Alsunga Folklore Group "Suitu sievas" and the folklore group "Maģie suiti."

For the full event program, see here.

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