The twin cities of Valka and Valga are preparing to host one of the most vibrant youth cultural events of the season. On June 6, the XXVI folk dance festival “Latvju bērni danci veda” (Latvian Children Led the Dance) will bring together approximately 3,000 young dancers from 94 ensembles across Latvia. This massive gathering celebrates the continuity of the Baltic folk tradition, turning the border-spanning streets of these two towns into a living stage for traditional choreography and national pride.
For visitors and residents, the festival offers a full day of public performances, a grand parade, and a large-scale evening concert. The event is designed to integrate young performers into the broader Song and Dance Festival movement, fostering creativity and cultural understanding through the art of stage folk dance.
Festival Schedule and Parade Route
The festival day begins early with registration, but the public spectacle truly starts mid-morning. The highlight for many spectators is the festive parade, which physically links the two halves of the twin city.
- 09:30: Parade participants begin lining up.
- 10:30: The Festive Parade commences. The route follows Beverīnas Street, Em. Dārziņa Street, Rīgas Street, and Raiņa Street, concluding at the Valka-Valga Twin City Center Square.
- 11:30: Official Opening Ceremony at the Twin City Center Square.
Street Concerts and Performance Locations
Following the opening ceremony, the festival transitions into a series of simultaneous street concerts. From 12:00 to 16:00, three distinct locations will host rotating performances, allowing the public to experience the diversity of Latvian dance styles in an accessible, open-air format:
- Location I: Valka-Valga Twin City Center (Center Square, Raiņa iela 2B, Valka, Latvia).
- Location II: Valga Central Square (Kesk iela 17, Valga, Estonia).
- Location III: Valka Municipality Culture Center (Em. Dārziņa iela 8, Valka, Latvia).
These concerts are free to the public and provide an excellent opportunity for photography and experiencing the cross-border atmosphere of the event.
Grand Concert and Ticketing Information
The festival culminates in a massive Grand Concert held at the Valka Open-Air Stage (Valkas brīvdabas estrāde). This performance serves as the artistic peak of the day, where all 94 collectives showcase their prepared repertoires in a synchronized display of traditional movement.
- Time: 17:00
- Venue: Valka Open-Air Stage (Rūjienas iela 1, Valka).
- Admission: €5.00 for adults.
- Free Entry: Children under 18 and seniors can attend the Grand Concert free of charge.
Following the Grand Concert, the festivities will continue for the participants with a dedicated party from 19:00 to 21:00, featuring the youth band “Pusnakts Brigāde.” While the evening party is geared toward the dancers, the city remains alive with the energy of thousands of visitors. For those traveling to the region, the festival represents a unique chance to see the Latvian-Estonian border transformed into a unified cultural space.
Source: Valkas novada pašvaldība
Article contextPeople & topics#5
What do you think about this article?
Reader Ideas Newsroom
Have a sharper angle for this topic? Add it to the community idea board and let readers vote it up for editorial review.
/linkComments
8+ useful words can earn +10-60 DP; shorter replies can still publish without DP.