Welcome to Latvian cultur!
The culture of Latvia combines traditional Latvian and Livonian heritage with influences of the country's varied historical heritage.
Latvia is a European country rich in traditions of music, dance and food.
Latvian dance
Latvian folk dance has its origins in the traditions of the Baltic tribes that arrived in the Baltic region in approximately 2000 BC. Dances portray the day-to-day life of rural communities (sowing, harvesting, fishing) as well as specific events (courtship, marriage, birth) and reflect the surroundings important to Baltic culture (animals, birds, nature in general, the changes of the seasons).
Latvian folk dance has its origins in the traditions of the Baltic tribes that arrived in the Baltic region in approximately 2000 BC. Dances portray the day-to-day life of rural communities (sowing, harvesting, fishing) as well as specific events (courtship, marriage, birth) and reflect the surroundings important to Baltic culture (animals, birds, nature in general, the changes of the seasons).
Latvian folk music
Traditional Latvian music is often set to traditional poetry called dainas, featuring pre-Christian themes and legends, dron vocal styles and Baltic psaltery.
Traditional Latvian folklore, especially the dance of the folk songs, date back well over a thousand years. More than 1.2 million texts and 30,000 melodies of folk songs have been identified.
Traditional Latvian music is often set to traditional poetry called dainas, featuring pre-Christian themes and legends, dron vocal styles and Baltic psaltery.
Traditional Latvian folklore, especially the dance of the folk songs, date back well over a thousand years. More than 1.2 million texts and 30,000 melodies of folk songs have been identified.
Latvian food
Latvian cuisine typically consists of agricultural products, with meat featuring in most main meal dishes. Fish is commonly consumed due to Latvias location on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea. Latvian cuisine has been influenced by other countries of the Baltic rim. Common ingredients in Latvian recipes are found locally, such as potatoes,wheat, barley, peas, cabbage, rye bread and pork. Due to pronounced four seasons, the Latvian cuisine is markedly seasonal and each time of the year has its own distinctive products and dishes. Latvian food is generally quite fatty and uses few spices.
Latvian cuisine typically consists of agricultural products, with meat featuring in most main meal dishes. Fish is commonly consumed due to Latvias location on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea. Latvian cuisine has been influenced by other countries of the Baltic rim. Common ingredients in Latvian recipes are found locally, such as potatoes,wheat, barley, peas, cabbage, rye bread and pork. Due to pronounced four seasons, the Latvian cuisine is markedly seasonal and each time of the year has its own distinctive products and dishes. Latvian food is generally quite fatty and uses few spices.