World Music Festival Porta Turns 25
Porta World Music festival Celebrates 25 Years with Diverse Sounds
RIGA, Latvia (AP) — The World Music Festival “Porta,” a fixture in Latvia’s concert scene, recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, drawing a dedicated following with its eclectic mix of musical experiences.
A Quarter-Century of World Music
Ilze Apsina, director of the festival, described Porta as a “niche event” that has thrived for a quarter century thanks to a loyal audience.
These are people who are definitely ready to get out,out of borders. Looking for something new. Sustain it and not be afraid. There are not many.
Ilze Apsina,Director,World Music Festival “Porta”
Livonian Roots Take Center Stage
The anniversary concert commenced with a performance by the World Music Association “Kuolm Randō,” also known as ”Three Coasts.” This project explores the Livonian culture and language through music, setting the poetry of Livonian poets Baiba Damberg, Valts Ernštreits, and Karlis Rumpe to academic, jazz, and world music genres.
laura Leontjeva, the festival’s artistic director, noted the association’s deep connection to its roots. She highlighted the involvement of Elina Ose, a soloist who frequently visited Mazirbe, the location of the Riga Dome Choir School camps.
Ieva Erenstreite, head of the liv Union, explained the power of song in preserving the endangered Livonian language. “Its spell or the secret is that singing in the Liv language is perceived better than learning from the alphabet. Because it is associated with such emotions and feelings. And so the alien language begins to sound quite kind,” Erenstreite said.
Ose shared her personal connection to the language through song. “I really like her [lībiešu valodu] to sing. I have told me a lot of people that it also suits me. Don’t know where the hook is buried but I even sometimes feel that I like better [lībiešu]nothing in Latvian sing. It is such a gorgeous overarch that this is a dying language. To be able and let, as we know it, [to] bring further.”
Mark Eliyahu’s Meditative Sounds
The second half of the concert featured Mark Eliyahu, an Israeli composer, producer, and master of ancient string instruments hailing from Dagestan. Eliyahu is renowned for his skill in playing the kamancheh, a 150-year-old bowed string instrument.
Mark Eliahu’s performance can be equated with meditative experience.
Eliyahu finds inspiration in his travels and encounters with diverse cultures. “I am inspired by travel – to meet people from different lands and different experiences, playing music. It creates very different inspiration. Another source of inspiration is the beauty of nature. These feelings are also at the heart of my music,” he said.
Porta World Music Festival: 25 Years of Celebrating Diverse sounds – Your Questions Answered
Have you ever wondered what makes a music festival truly special? Let’s explore the magic behind the Porta World Music Festival, celebrating its 25th anniversary!
Q: What is the Porta World Music Festival?
A: The Porta World Music Festival is a long-standing event in Riga, Latvia, celebrating its 25th anniversary. It’s a “niche event” that brings together a diverse range of musical experiences, drawing a dedicated audience.
Q: How has Porta Festival maintained its success for a quarter-century?
A: According to Ilze Apsina, the festival’s director, Porta has thrived thanks to its loyal audience. These are individuals who are eager to experience something new and are open to exploring different cultures through music.
Q: What kind of music does the Porta World Music Festival feature?
A: The festival showcases a wide variety of world music. The anniversary concert, as described in the article, featured performances that include Livonian culture, ancient string instruments, and more.
Q: What was the focus of the anniversary concert?
A: The anniversary concert highlighted the Livonian culture and language, featuring performances by the World Music Association “Kuolm Randō” (Three Coasts).
Q: Who is “kuolm Randō,” and what did thay perform?
A: “Kuolm randō” is a musical project that explores Livonian culture and language through music by setting the poetry of Livonian poets to world music genres that include academic and jazz music.
Q: What is the importance of Livonian music in the festival?
A: The festival highlighted the importance of preserving the Livonian language through music. Ieva Erenstreite, head of the Liv Union, noted that singing in the Livonian language is more effective for learning then the alphabet because it’s tied to emotions and feelings.
Q: Can you tell me more about the Livonian language and culture?
A: The Livonian language is endangered. The festival underscores efforts to keep the language alive. The Livonian language is a Finno-Ugric language indigenous to the Livonians,who primarily inhabited the livonian coast of the Gulf of Riga.
Q: What were some of the memorable performances at the anniversary concert?
A: The concert included a performance by “Kuolm Randō” exploring Livonian culture. Elina Ose, a soloist, sang in the Livonian language. The second half of the concert featured Mark Eliyahu, performing on the kamancheh.
Q: Who is Elina ose, and why is her performance notable?
A: Elina Ose is a soloist who sang in the livonian language, connecting with her roots through music.She expressed a deep connection to singing in Livonian,finding it more compelling than singing in Latvian.
Q: What other musical acts were featured at the Porta World Music Festival?
A: Mark Eliyahu, an Israeli composer, producer, and master of ancient string instruments, especially the kamancheh, performed during the second half of the concert.
Q: Who is Mark Eliyahu?
A: mark Eliyahu is an Israeli composer, producer, and master of ancient string instruments, hailing from Dagestan. He is known for his skill in playing the kamancheh, a 150-year-old bowed string instrument.
Q: What is the kamancheh, and what makes Mark Eliyahu’s performance unique?
A: The kamancheh is a 150-year-old bowed string instrument. His performances are often likened to a meditative experience.
Q: What inspires Mark Eliyahu’s music?
A: Eliyahu draws inspiration from his travels and encounters with diverse cultures.He is also inspired by the beauty of nature.
Q: How does music help preserve endangered languages and cultures?
A: As exemplified by the Livonian performance, music facilitates emotional connection with the language. Singing in the native tongue helps it to transcend the limitations of alphabet learning and helps build a feeling of connection and kindliness with the language itself.