The Choir’s Journey

Formed in the autumn of last year,the Latvian Deaf Union Choir⁢ has already performed at several events,including the “Homo Novus” festival,a Christmas performance with the Youth Choir​ “Voices,” and the⁣ Chorus ⁢Prize.

Jolanta ‌Znotiņa, a⁢ choir member, notes that while deaf individuals have long participated in their own singing communities, they have often been marginalized. we were marginalized, lived in our⁤ community, closed, but now a bit different, technology is developing, we​ are already fighting⁢ and continuing ‍to sing, and⁢ we want to sing like hearing people, znotiņa saeid.

Corist Elfa ​Kesenfeled adds that there is a difference between interaction in sign language and singing: Songs in the sign language are quite ‍different, it is not⁤ the same, because every day the ⁣signs ⁢are different, we have to ⁣express these⁤ signs emotionally in the song.

The choir is capable of polyphonic singing, and the ⁢lyrics hold significant importance for it’s ⁣members.⁣ For example, the hearing choir may not understand, for example, the ⁣content of⁣ the song, it just sings with a voice, but to‌ the deaf – they cannot hide⁤ it, because the language of all signs says whether or not, a choir member explained.

The choir rehearses on Mondays, with additional​ practices scheduled as needed.

Conductor Brigita Lazda emphasizes the dedication of the choir members. So far, the deaf has performed melodellamation, but the direction of melodlamation‍ is a bit⁢ different, the choir has to polish these signs, Lazda ​said.

And I think the job is really invested here. And they have to ⁣be on stage at the Song Festival and the Dance Celebration, because I think we have to stop hiding. And​ the sign language is not‍ terrible,⁢ the sign​ language‍ is also a form ‍of⁢ artistic expression that ‍we can show beautifully.

Ivars Kalniņš, a member⁢ of the Latvian⁢ Deaf Union Choir, believes in the⁣ importance of⁢ inclusivity. Maybe​ people do not feel it, but a very ‌long way has been to achieve ⁣it, but the result is, of course, good and hope to be better. Conductor Brigita Lazda said the choir’s first concerts have given them strength:‌ At‌ Christmas, where we sang with the ‍choir” Voices “, we ⁢also saw the ovation of the audience.

It was⁢ such one first push that we don’t ⁢have to stop,⁣ we have‍ to go ahead. No matter‍ how tough it is to fit ⁢into the community,⁢ but we will fight. The choir does not expect to participate in the full ​program.

If we were now participating in the Song and Dance Celebration ‌with all the songs, with the repertoire of all the⁤ songs, I don’t know if we could do it, as the ​work with the signs requires⁢ a lot of work, sign ⁢movement, plastics very much⁤ to smoke these signs, a great job should be done, you ⁢can​ try, but all song repertoire.

Perspectives on Inclusion

Sigita Zankovska-Odiņa, a diversity management ⁢expert, suggests that the choir ‌should not be asked ⁣to participate in the ⁤entire​ program.⁣ the role is not that we show how good that‌ these collectives⁤ are included, but we show that they are part of the​ choir.

The expert is convinced ⁤that it is the Pupils’ Song and⁢ Dance Celebration that is the moment when diversity⁤ can best be united and then as the norm ​will transfer ‍to the‌ Great Festival.

Deaf children participated in the festival of 2015, and director Juris ⁢Jonel promises their inclusion this summer. I am⁣ [Skolēnu dziesmu svētku] The closing concert director, and here too, we are scheduled ‍to involve the youth sign choirs, and the same newly created ⁣deaf⁣ choir.⁣ the number is greater and we will continue.

Inga Vasilyeva, Head of the School⁢ Youth Song ⁣and Dance Celebration⁢ Action Group, emphasizes the need for the Song Festival community to adapt to changing times.⁣ Beliefs and‌ we probably have an vital ⁣one for us.

Looking Ahead: Inclusive Dance Festival

While progress is being⁤ made in including the Deaf Union ⁣Choir in the Song festival, the Dance‍ Celebration is still lagging behind.

For the dance festival, we⁢ have no ​program at all in which people with disabilities‌ would participate as participants of the⁢ Dance Celebration.

But we have‌ a lot of‌ special schools or schools with collectives with disabilities, both ‍with functional disabilities and intellectual disabilities, says Sigita Zankovska-Odiņa.

Inga Vasilyeva‍ notes that special school collectives have‍ previously performed in Riga. Traditionally, ⁢they have a very well -attended,‌ bright, cool concert in Vermane Garden.have spoken to all⁢ these⁣ special schools.

the organizers of​ the Latvian School Youth Song and Dance Celebration emphasizes that one of the priorities ‌of the festival is currently accessible. It is planned that this summer the ‌festival program will also be followed​ by Braille.

we, in a sense, for⁣ the first time in the Song Festival⁣ strategically access‌ to this issue, as it⁤ is indeed⁤ critically important for ​us to give people in communication encouragement that we have done everything in our power, to people⁢ with different needs – wheelchairs, ​blind, visually impaired or or else, Vasilyev ‌said.

Sigita Zankovska-Odiņa ⁢advocates for involving the community affected⁢ by the song Festival⁤ movement and adhering to the principle of nothing about us without⁤ us. it ⁢would be the highest ⁢degree of integration​ when⁣ we should ‌not‍ think about‌ whether we participate in the event or not to ⁢participate in⁤ where we participate, whether⁣ we make a separate concert in the Vermane Garden or Esplanade or we see that we are all‌ together.