The dance performance “The Sun Rose over the Sword” will celebrate its coming of age in August 2027 in Riga, on Vecāķi Beach. Over 18 years, the performance has earned the love of a wide audience and dancers alike, becoming an important event in Latvia’s dance culture. The performance is based on the annual cycle of the ancient Baltic tribe, interwoven with the theme of war - not only about those who go to war, but also about those who stay behind. It is full of love, hardship, and the continuation of life. A special feeling comes from its form - all participants dance as one tribe, living through one ritual and forming a single whole. Choreographer Agris Daņiļevičs has transformed these themes into a unique dance language using his characteristic means of expression. As usual, the performance will be accompanied live by the bagpipe and drum group “Auļi”.
Agris Daņiļevičs says: “Every choreographer should be happy if their performance or dance lives for a long time, if it is needed by someone through the years. I am especially pleased with the response that followed when we opened the participant registration gates - there was a huge influx, I would say - an outpouring. It even ended with a problem - how to make all this happen without exceeding the director’s scale limits. We held the first rehearsal at Dzirnas, and I can say - that sword feeling has not disappeared. It begins with the first drumbeat from Auļi and director Uģis’s voice.”
The performance’s creator and producer Edžus Arums adds: “The number of participants has grown so much that the performance has to be created in two, and in separate age groups even four, cast ensembles. This is very heartwarming and is recognition of our work so far, but at the same time it also places much greater duties and responsibility - we must preserve what the director has done. There is exactly one year left until the performance, and we are beginning very intensive, but also very enjoyable work. This performance is very, very demanding, but it gives just as much in return.”
The premiere of the dance performance “The Sun Rose over the Sword” took place in 2009 at the Limbaži Culture House, as an event marking the 90th anniversary of the TDA “Katvari”. At first, about 100 dancers took part in the performance, but the interest of audiences and dancers turned it into a major multi-generation dance event, in which around 1,500 participants danced it at the “Ķīpsala” Exhibition Centre in 2010, 2013, and 2016. The performance has also been staged at the Dikļi open-air stage.
A fragment from “The Sun Rose over the Sword” opened the major performance of the Latvian Centenary Song and Dance Celebration at Daugava Stadium. In the year of Latvia’s centenary, audiences experienced the performance at Vecāķi Beach, gaining a new dimension - dancing in the sea.
Choreographer: Agris Daņiļevičs
Director: Uģis Brikmanis
Performed by: bagpipe and drum group “Auļi”
Music director: Kaspars Bārbals
Choral arrangement by: Ivars Cinkuss
Chief choir conductor: Mārtiņš Klišāns
Creator and producer: Edžus Arums
Admission is free for children up to and including 6 years of age, provided they do not occupy a separate seat.
With the Honor Family Card 3+, a 20% discount applies.
