“This is a very special time in Latvia. We will celebrate the summer solstice this week, and the 150th anniversary week of the Latvian Song and Dance Festival is due to start very soon. Today, you will have the opportunity to take a glimpse into this magical cultural canon of Latvia,” said Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima, Head of the Latvian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), on Tuesday, 20 June, opening the photo exhibition of traditional costumes worn by members of the family choir “Staro” (“Shine”) at the Council of Europe (CoE) building in Strasbourg, France.
In her address, Kalniņa-Lukaševica underlined the role of the CoE in standing guard of a rules-based international order. “I am sure that the victory day for the brave Ukrainian people fighting for the freedom of their country is approaching, and all of us standing on the side of justice will become even stronger and more united than before. Let me assure you that the Latvian delegation to PACE will do its part for justice to prevail,” expressed Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Head of the Latvian delegation.
Edgars Rinkēvičs, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, and Tiny Kox, President of PACE, also addressed the audience at the event opening.
“We are happy to feel the Latvian spirit here today and to celebrate the Latvian Presidency of the CoE, as well as the upcoming Song and Dance Festival, reminding Europe of the cultural richness and diversity that we must all nurture together,” said Rinkēvičs at the exhibition opening.
Tiny Kox noted that the exhibition would help learn more about the Latvian UNESCO cultural heritage, as well as discover traditional Latvian costumes, which are among the most beautiful ones.
The members of the Latvian–Alsatian choir “Staro” are Latvian families living in France, Luxembourg, Germany, and Switzerland. The exhibition displays photographs of the traditional costumes worn by the choir members. At the opening, the choir delighted the audience with a performance of songs by Latvian composers. The event is part of the Latvian Presidency of the CoE Committee of Ministers.
The summer session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, which brings together parliamentarians from 46 countries, is taking place in Strasbourg from 19 to 23 June. Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Head of the Latvian delegation; Normunds Dzintars, Deputy Head of the delegation; permanent representative Ieva Brante, and substitute representatives Andris Bērziņš, Edmunds Cepurītis, and Ričards Šlesers are participating in the session.
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/saeima/albums/72177720309160097
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Saeima Press Service