Participants
The XX Baltic Student Song and Dance Festival in Riga will bring together 64 choirs, 38 folk dance ensembles and nine wind orchestras – a total of 1,899 singers, 1,689 dancers and 291 musicians. Folk music ensembles will also participate in the festival.
The Latvian participants represent 16 higher education institutions, while Lithuania will be represented by ensembles from 13 higher education institutions and Estonia by participants from 7 higher education institutions.
A total of 120 volunteers will be involved in the festival, providing essential support and playing an indispensable role in its organisation.
The Festival
This will be the twentieth edition of the festival, and 2026 marks 70 years since the first Baltic Student Song and Dance Festival was held.
This year’s programme includes seven concerts:
- Folk Music and Dance Programme at Dome Square;
- Opening Concert in the Great Hall of the University of Latvia (UL);
- Folk Dance Ensemble Concert at Dailes Theatre;
- Wind Orchestra Concert Programme in Vērmanes Garden;
- Lithuanian Folk Music Concert in the UL Great Hall;
- Sacred Music Concert at Riga Cathedral;
- Grand Concert “Towards Infinity…” at Freedom Square.
The festival will also feature a participants’ procession from Riga Old Town to Freedom Square.
More information about the festival programme is available on the "Gaudeamus" website.
More than 65 songs will be performed and over 40 dances presented during the festival concerts.
Festival supporter Water 885 will provide more than 25,000 litres of water for participants at the festival venues.
Watch and Listen
Photo galleries from the festival events will be available in the University of Latvia photo gallery.
On 19 June at 5.00 p.m., the Opening Concert from the UL Great Hall will be broadcast live on Latvian Radio 3.
On 21 June at 12.00 noon, Latvian Radio 3 will broadcast a recording of the Sacred Music Concert.
On 21 June, audiences will be able to watch the live broadcast of the Grand Concert “Towards Infinity…" on Latvian Radio 1 and LTV1.
About the Festival
The “Gaudeamus" tradition began in 1956 in Tartu, and since then the festival has been held 19 times across the Baltic States. It is an important part of Baltic cultural and academic identity, promoting the preservation of traditions and encouraging young people’s participation in folk culture.
The festival plays a significant role in safeguarding the unique Song and Dance Festival tradition and strengthening unity among the Baltic States. The event is held alternately in each of the Baltic countries.
The festival is organised by the Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia in cooperation with the University of Latvia and the Riga City Municipality.
This text was translated using AI.
