GALLERY — LATVIA, JULY 2008
Latvian Song And Dance Festival
Latvian Song And Dance Festival
July 6th — In the morning, as we walked from Hotel Gutenbergs to the Dōjō, we saw large crowds of dancers, bands, choirs and people in traditional Latvian National Costumes marching to "the Song Festival".
The tickets for this event were sold-out months in advance, as well as all major hotels and other tourists services in Riga. However, those who couldn't buy a ticket, gathered at "Doma square" (The center square of Old Riga) to watch a free live brodcasting of the festival from a giant screen.
The 2008 Latvian Song and Dance Festival took place from July 5 to July 12th with over 38,000 people: approximately 15,000 dancers, 13,000 singers. This festival is an oral tradition that goes back hundres of years. In 2003, the Baltic (Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian) Song and Dance tradition was listed by UNESCO as one of the Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Cultural Heritage. See the Official Website of the 2008 Latvian Song And Dance Festival.
Shinjinbukan Seminar
July 6th — The main event of the Shinjinbukan Latvia Gasshuku was the Seminar, which was open to invited guests from the Latvian martial arts community.
During the seminar, Onaga Kaichō explained some concepts related to Iri Kumi and aswered many questions. Also, he observed some of the Katas from our guest participants.
Making Another Shīsā
During the lunch break Mr. Takaesu Shōhei made another Shīsā head as a gift tot he members of the Heiankai Club.
