NEW THEATRE INSTITUTE OF LATVIA

contemporary performing arts in Latvia and abroad

In the middle of November artists and producers from Latvia went on a creative research trip to Helsinki organized by the New Theatre Institute of Latvia (NTIL). The Latvian delegation met several Finninsh artists, organizations and curators, and attended many art events.

The group consisted of Ina Locmele, chairwoman of the Latvian Choreographers Association, Armands Silins, opera singer and director of the alternative chamber music festival “Sansusi”, Ieva Gaurilcikaite-Sants and Krisjanis Sants, choreographers and dance artists known as the artist duo IevaKrish, Martins Eihe, artistic director of Rezekne theatre Joriks, and Bek Berger and Ieva Briede from the NTIL. During the trip the delegation met with over 73 people in more than 10 locations, saw 6 shows and made countless new connections, and were invited to the Embassy of Latvia in Finland to an informal soiree.

Kristīne Našeniece, Ambassador of Latvia in Finland, said in her address to representatives of the Latvian and Finnish stage arts sector: “We are sometimes unaware of how similar Latvia and Finland actually are. The mentality of our societies are similar, as well as some events of history, and of course we have the Baltic Sea.” This is one of the reasons why we are working on strengthening common links.

It is important for Latvian artists and producers to get to know the realities of other countries, the different work patterns, and to gain impressions from foreign performances, as well as new contacts for potential activities outside Latvia’s borders.

During the trip the members of Latvian delegation met up with members of the Performance Centre “Eskus“, Art Centre for children, young people and families “Annantalo“, Association “Dance Info Finland“, Dance Centre “Zodiak“, Arts Collective “WAUHAUS“, theatre “Teater Viirus”, Performance Art Centre “Mad House“, and representatives from “Nordic Culture Point“, which is one of the largest funders of art projects in Nordic and Baltic region.

In order to gain a wider insight into the trends of the Finnish theatre and performance art scene, the Latvian delegation attended “Teater Viirus” most recent performance “SVETT“, “Kallo Collective” premiere of “The Divine Lie“, “Mad House” performance “Child Service“, as well as performances from the festival “Baltic Circle“.

We would like to thank “Eskus” for their warm welcome, and the ministry of Culture in Latvia and the Embassy of Latvia in Finland for the support.

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