Marking the opening of the European Heritage Days (EHD) events season (from August to November), Latvia kicked off with the Song and Dance Festival in Riga gathering some 45,000 people to enjoy dance, music, singing, theatre, and storytelling, showcasing the rich intangible cultural heritage traditions of the country, and providing a physical reminder of the Council of Europe’s impact on the ground in line with the aims of the Council of Europe Days Visibility Project.
The Permanent Representative of Latvia to the Council of Europe, Ambassador Jānis Kārkliņš, whose country hold the rotating presidency of the Committee of Ministers, highlighted the role of the European Heritage Days in his country.
“Since Latvia's independence in 1991, there has been a strong emphasis on preserving its cultural heritage, which has often suffered damage during wars and the Soviet occupation. The European Heritage Days play a vital role in raising awareness about Latvia's cultural heritage and the need for its protection and restoration. EHD encourages public exploration of historic sites, fosters a sense of responsibility among Latvians, and provides educational activities, especially for the younger generation, he said.”
Organised jointly by the Council of Europe and the European Commission since 1999, the European Heritage Days celebrate the wealth and diversity of European Cultural Heritage, while promoting dialogue, inclusion and appreciation across borders.
Ambassador Kārkliņš also explained the added value of EHD for Latvia as a smaller economy and the impact on the restoration and conservation of historical sites.
“Preserving historic monuments can be costly. In smaller economies like Latvia, finding resources for renovation of the heritage may be a challenging task. EHD is instrumental in attracting funding for the restoration and conservation of Latvia's historical sites and monuments, ensuring their longevity. Additionally, EHD acts as a catalyst for development by promoting community engagement and ongoing heritage conservation efforts, fostering commitment and continuity.”
During the EHD season this year some 50 000 events are being organised in the 48 participating European countries around the theme “Living Heritage” with the aim of highlighting the relevance and ongoing contribution of cultural traditions and skills to our societies.
“The Council of Europe has been instrumental in organizing and coordinating EHD in Latvia. We deeply appreciate Council of Europe’s support and guidance in setting the framework, objectives, and guidelines for this significant cultural event. Commitment to aligning EHD in Latvia with the broader European initiative, fostering cultural exchange, and promoting the preservation of our rich cultural heritage is invaluable,” the Ambassador concluded.
