“The 27th annual Carmel International Arts Festival (CIAF) welcomes international dancing artists this year in addition to the physical representations of art from around the U.S. and the world that the festival has become known for.
A Latvian Folk-dance Ensemble known as Lielupe will perform during the festival which takes place Sept. 28 and 29 in Carmel. Ballet Folklorico Mosaicos will also be part of the festival, presenting Mexican Folkloric dance.
Jelgava, Latvia is one of several Sister Cities to Carmel. Sister Cities were created to promote peace through people-to-people relationships. Latvian artists have been represented at CIAF for the past couple of years.
The Latvian Folk-Dance Ensemble, Lielupe from Jelgava, Latvia, was founded in 1959 as a seniors folk-dance group. In its creative activity, under the leadership of Vilis Ozols, the ensemble focused itself on the middle generation. Lielupe is currently made up of five generations of dedicated dancers committed to the highest standards of Latvian folk-dancing traditions.
The directors’ and dancers’ knowledge and love of dancing, as well as their dedication to one another both during practice sessions and dance concerts, have allowed them to reach the highest level of Latvian folk-dancing professionalism and accomplishments.
In 1985, Elita Simsone assumed leadership and direction of Lielupe. In 1989, with her diploma performance “How to Love in the City – How to Love in the Countryside,” they won the title of Folk Dance Ensemble.
Under her direction, the ensemble has received the highest accolades, not only in Latvia, but also in international dance competitions and has performed in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Taiwan, Thailand, Brazil, China, Nepal, Indonesia, Iran, Turkey, and numerous European countries.
Lielupe has participated in all Latvian Song and Dance Festivals in Latvia since 1959. At their 65 Year Anniversary concert, “Love – Lielupe,” 152 present and former dancers participated.
For the folk-dance ensemble, traditions are handed down from one generation to another, allowing them to maintain a remarkably elevated level of professionalism and cohesiveness where every dancer is genuinely appreciated. For Lielupe and its members, folk dancing is more than simply dancing, it’s an opportunity to bring people together for the passion and love of dancing and for the combined life experiences it brings to each of them, both in Latvia and the around the world.” For more information please find this article.
