FROM THE LAND OF THE LETTS. Baltic Unity Day

A grand concert “From the Land of the Letts. Baltic Unity Day” will take place on 14 September at 13:00 at Concert Hall “Latvija”, celebrating the shared cultural heritage of the Latvian and Lithuanian nations and honouring Baltic Unity Day.

The concert will feature over 200 singers from Latvia and Lithuania, the Ventspils Chamber Orchestra, narrator Zane Jančevska, and conductors Rasa Gelgotienė, Regina Maleckaitė, Sandra Rimkutė-Jankuvienė, Judita Kiaulakytė, Ilze Valce, and Aigars Meri.

At the heart of the concert is the performance of a renewed version of the oratorio “From the Land of the Letts” by composer Jēkabs Jančevskis – a tribute to the historical events that have intertwined the destinies of both nations. The concert will also include a dedication to the prominent Lithuanian composer and painter Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, marking his 150th anniversary, as well as traditional Latvian and Lithuanian folk songs.

Baltic Unity Day commemorates the Battle of Saule in 1236 – a pivotal event in Baltic history that symbolizes the courage and unity of the ancestors of Latvians and Lithuanians. Since 2000, this day has been officially celebrated in both Latvia and Lithuania, reminding us of the nations’ shared roots. This large-scale concert is part of these celebrations, using the power of music to strengthen Latvian–Lithuanian cultural ties and honour the historical legacy uniting the two nations.

The oratorio “From the Land of the Letts” by Jēkabs Jančevskis is a musical monument to Baltic history, unfolding in eight parts that tell the story of the shared roots of Latvians and Lithuanians. At its centre is the tale of Marta (Mortua), wife of Mindaugas, the first crowned King of Lithuania – a woman from Latgale’s Madelāni region, representing the deep interconnection between the two nations. The libretto was written by Eva Mārtuža and Zane Jančevska, with poetry by Lelde Stumbre. The oratorio explores themes of historical patriotism and the contrast between masculine power-seeking and feminine longing for peace and the preservation of family.

Historical records note that the coronation of Mindaugas and Marta took place on 6 July 1253. This work honours the ancestors of both nations and celebrates Baltic unity and friendship, both past and present. Mindaugas, known for uniting Lithuanian lands and resisting the Sword Brethren Order, is said to have died in Aglona, allegedly murdered along with two sons en route to visit Marta’s family. Some believe his final resting place is beneath the Aglona Basilica, on the site of a former 13th-century burial ground. A 17th-century chronicle by Lutheran pastor Rivius even mentions a Latin-inscribed marble slab indicating that King Mindaugas was buried there. On 20 September 2015, a monument to Mindaugas and Marta was unveiled in Aglona.

Performers:

• Šilalė Cultural Centre Mixed Choir “Medvėgalis” (conductor Sandra Rimkutė-Jankuvienė)
• Šilalė Cultural Centre Youth Choir “Cantando” (conductor Sandra Rimkutė-Jankuvienė)
• Vilnius Cultural Centre Youth Choir LRT (conductor Regina Maleckaitė)
• Vilnius University Academic Choir “Gaudeamus” (conductor Rasa Gelgotienė)
• Klaipėda Fishermen’s Cultural Centre Women's Choir “Dangė” (conductor Judita Kiaulakytė)
• Ventspils Cultural Centre Mixed Choir “Līvzeme” (conductor Astra Plostniece)
• Kurzemes Philharmonic Mixed Choir “Ventspils” (conductor Aigars Meri)
• Ventspils Cultural Centre Women’s Choir “Venda” (conductor Rudīte Tālberga)
• RTU Liepāja Academy Women’s Choir “Atbalss” (conductor Ilze Valce)
• Ventspils Cultural Centre Mixed Choir “Kaiva” (conductor Ginta Rūse)
• Liepāja Art and Culture Centre Mixed Choir “INTIS” (conductor Ilze Valce)

On 14 September at 19:00, the Baltic Unity Day concert featuring the joint Latvian–Lithuanian choir will be performed in Klaipėda, at the Žvejų rūmai Cultural Centre.

The concert is supported by the State Culture Capital Foundation of Latvia, Ventspils State City Municipality, Ventspils Culture Centre, Liepāja Folk Art and Culture Centre, the Lithuanian Council for Culture, and the Lithuanian Choral Union.