RĪGA RESOUNDS !

04.07.2025.- 30.08.2025.

RIGA RESOUNDS !

An Exhibition Celebrating the Latvian Song and Dance Festival.

Latvia is a land of song - this truth resonates deeply, even if each person comes to understand it in their own time. For some, it is instilled from the cradle; for others, it awakens during their first school choir rehearsal. And for many, it becomes undeniable when standing among the throngs at Mežaparks during the Song and Dance Festival, where one feels a connection to the eternal and universal.

We may not all be musically gifted or blessed with perfect pitch, yet song is what uplifts us, strengthens us - even empowers us. The rhythms of nature, the heartbeat of people, their laughter, joy, sorrow, and longing, love’s sighs - they all pulse through our songs and dances. These same human rhythms are reflected in the beauty of our national costumes and ornaments, shaped over centuries of tradition.

And in summer, the height of celebration, when we sing and dance with abandon—our land sings with us. We often repeat to each other that Latvia is the most beautiful place in the world, with majestic forests, lush meadows, ancient oaks, scenic rivers, our own sea, and hundreds of lakes - each gleaming in its own unique way.

What role does Riga play in this celebration, a city often perceived as distant from the soul of the countryside? Riga must resound! And for that to happen, everything must be well organized and led with skill. The tradition is long-standing—over 150 years. Everyone sings and dances: children, students, and elders alike. This year, the children are at the heart of Riga’s festive resounding.

And who could remain on the sidelines? Artists—painters, sculptors, ceramicists—also join in the celebration with their colors, forms, and imagination. Their contribution to the Song Festival spirit fills the walls of Gallery Daugava. While the space is limited, the creativity of Latvian artists is vast. For this exhibition, we’ve chosen those who have been long-time collaborators with the gallery—artists who have held solo shows here or are preparing for one. Among them:

Maija Tabaka, Līga Purmale, Laima Eglīte, Dace Lielā, Aleksejs Naumovs, Baiba Vegere, Andris Eglītis, Dainis Pundurs, Juta Rindina, Aigars Bikše, Ilze Avotiņa, and others including Anita Paegle, Irēna Lūse, and Atis Jākobsons, whose solo shows may still be forthcoming.

A special place in this exhibition belongs to Valdis Krēsliņš (1962–2025)—a devoted drawing instructor at the Art Academy. Though known for his exceptional drawing skill, for this exhibition he wished to present his figurative paintings - rarely exhibited works that reveal a different facet of his creativity. He especially loved painting flowers—a subject not all artists dare to tackle. His favorite were ozolītes, a now almost-forgotten, old-fashioned blossom, which he insisted on painting from life, rushing to the market each blooming season. He also painted peonies, which he affectionately called peonies - now trendy, but once common in every country garden. He rendered them even in bold, sentimental pinks. Our last conversation was about meeting at the Felicita Pauļuka centenary exhibition, featuring her masterful charcoal drawings—an artist whom he deeply admired. But we never met. Life had other plans.

This exhibition holds within it not only joy but also grief—just as our songs contain the full spectrum of human feeling, from jubilation to sorrow. And yet, the goal of this exhibition is to strengthen the viewer, to awaken joy and love for life, to affirm the beauty and talent of our people and our land. To make us proud, and to believe in ourselves—because that is what truly strengthens us, individually and together.

These are celebrations not only of people, but also of nature. Summer is brief—so we must transform it into festivity. The artists in this show celebrate through painting, sculpture, ceramics, and graphic art. The exhibition “Riga Resounds!” is a visual tribute to the spirit of the Song and Dance Festival, offering what singers and dancers cannot—a visual echo of our collective celebration. Artists have drawn inspiration from folklore and nature. What they’ve created must be seen—not only by festival participants, but also by their audiences, families, friends, and fellow Latvians.

These are also the festivals of togetherness. So let us celebrate with joy—“Riga Resounds!”—through ceramics, sculpture, painting, graphic art, and pride in ourselves.

Exhibition runs through August 30.

Gallery hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 12:00–18:00

Ilze Avotiņa. The Endless Dance. The Devil & the Folk Girl. Motif of Latvian folk mythology and fairy tales. 2016. / canvas, acrylic /150 x 120
Ilze Avotiņa. Me to my mother. 2019. / canvas, acrylic / 120 x 100
Ilze Avotiņa. Bringing the Lucky Bear. 2009. / canvas, acrylic / 180 x 180
Laima Eglīte. Plant motif. 2012. / canvas, oil / 95 x 115
Laima Eglīte. Passions I. 2025. / canvas, oil / 18 x 24
Laima Eglīte. Passions II. 2025. / canvas, oil / 18 x 24
Maija Nora Tabaka. Ritual. 2002. / canvas, oil / 101 x 137
Maija Nora Tabaka. At St. Peters Church. 2017. / canvas, oil / 100 x 120
Līga Purmale. Poppy Field. 2002. / canvas, oil / 130 x 160
Valdis Krēsliņš. Peony semolina. 2015. / canvas, author\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s technique / 102 x 80,5
Dace Lielā. Sphinxes. 2003. / canvas, acrylic / 120 x 150
Andris Eglītis. From the cycle Through the Darkness. 2022. / canvas, oil / 70 x 60
Baiba Vegere. Midsummer. 2012. / canvas, pastel / 37 x 26
Aleksejs Naumovs. Švarcmuiža. 2022. / canvas, acrylic / 100 x 120
Aigars Bikše. Folk Girl. 2023. / bronze, wood / 73 x 45 x 40 with base