Raimonds Vējonis
Valsts prezidents godina XXVI Vispārējo latviešu Dziesmu un XVI Deju svētku virsdiriģentus un virsvadītājus
“The Song and Dance Festival is the most beautiful treasure of our culture,” emphasised President of Latvia Raimonds Vējonis at the solemn ceremony to dignify chief conductors and chief directors of XXVI Latvian Nationwide Song Festival and XVI Dance Festival in the Song Festival Park on Sunday, 1 July 2018.

“The Festival is made up of thousands of people, who truly believe in the power of song and dance and are ready to stand up for it every day. Among them, chief conductor and chief director are a special position that cannot be won or bought. Art itself chooses the best of the best.”

The President of Latvia noted, “The culture of Song and Dance Festival is based on music teaching, creative amateur art, and selfless work of leaders of ensembles day by day. The role of chief conductors and chief directors is extraordinary because it is devoted to both protecting the idea of the Song and Dance Festival and developing it in the future. Without outstanding leaders, the Song and Dance Festival could not have formed into a tradition older than our country.”

When addressing chief conductors and chief directors of the Song and Dance Festival, Raimonds Vējonis wished that the next week under their leadership were indeed a nationwide celebration that sounded all over the world and inspired us for the following centuries.