A Night of recognition for Latvian Dance

The annual Latvian Dance Prize ceremony is set to take place on April 29th at the Concert Hall Cesis. This prestigious event will honor outstanding achievements in the Latvian dance industry, awarding prizes across various categories. Two awards, specifically chosen by readers of LSM.lv, will also be presented, adding a public dimension to the recognition.

The ceremony will be broadcast live on LSM.lv and replay.lv, with a delayed broadcast on LTV1, ensuring wide accessibility for dance enthusiasts.

Readers’ Choice: Celebrating Diversity in Dance

this year’s nominees showcase a remarkable range of styles and approaches, making the distinction between “Production” and “Event” categories somewhat fluid.The judging criteria focus on whether a work is viewed as a self-contained piece or as part of a larger movement with broader implications for the dance industry. The readers’ vote,though,unites all genres,emphasizing the award’s role as a unifying force within the dance community.

Currently, the dance sector in Latvia is experiencing a surge in popularity, with attendance at dance performances increasing by 15% in the last year alone, according to the Latvian Ministry of Culture.

How to participate in the Readers’ Vote

The public is invited to participate in the readers’ vote by visiting lsm.lv and casting their ballot once per day. authentication via social media profile or email is required. Voting closes on April 24th at 23:59. As an incentive, voters will be entered into a lottery for a chance to win two tickets to the Dance Prize ceremony.The winner will be contacted directly.

Delving Deeper: Meet the Nominees

To learn more about the nominated works and the artists behind them, visit the official Dance Prize website: www.dejasbalva.lv. This resource provides in-depth information and insights into the diverse landscape of Latvian dance.

The Creative Minds Behind the Ceremony

The Dance Prize ceremony is a collaborative effort, bringing together a team of talented individuals. The creative team includes:

• Director: Jānis Znotiņš
• Assistant Director: Agate Bankava
• Screenwriter: Ance Muižniece
• visual Artist: Pamela Butane
• Choreographers: Liene Grava, Reinis Rešetins (stage folk dance), Eiden William Konefriy (Ballet), Anastasia Yaswin (contemporary dances)
• Musical Design and Composer: Reinis Sējāns
• Video Projection Artist: Tom Zeļģis
• Light Concept Author: Martins Feldmanis

The Significance of the Dance Prize

The Latvian Dance prize stands as the highest honor in professional dance art within the country. Awarded biennially,it recognizes outstanding achievements in ballet,contemporary dance,stage folk dance,and contemporary dance. The prize celebrates innovation in new productions, performances, dance events, and also contributions to pedagogy and research.

The Latvian Dance Information Center organizes the Dance Prize in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Cesis Municipality.Cesis, designated as the Latvian Capital of Culture for 2025 with the motto Culture in the heads, castles, backyards, is committed to an enterprising cycle of cultural events as part of its bid for the European Capital of Culture 2027.

Stay Connected

For more information about the Dance Prize, visit www.dejasbalva.lv and follow the event on social media: Facebook and Instagram (@dejasbalva).