Feb 18 β€’ 16:12 UTC πŸ‡±πŸ‡» Latvia LSM

"We survived! Will we celebrate again..." Imants Strads stages the play "Weddings in Latgale"

Imants Strads directs a play showcasing the unique wedding culture in Latgale, Latvia, highlighting humorous and heartwarming stories.

The play "Weddings in Latgale", directed by Imants Strads, is an exploration of the distinctive wedding culture in the Latgale region of Latvia, presented through a series of six stories. As winter grips the real world outside, newly engaged couples are planning weddings that are unlike any other. Strads and his collaborators invite audiences to reflect on their own experiences as they portray wedding festivities specific to the region, all while sharing a sentiment that resonates with many. Strads emphasizes that sentiment is at the core of the narrative, leading to various reactions from the audience as they recognize familiar wedding situations. Actor Ritvars Gailums notes the diverse nature of wedding traditions in Latgale, revealing how cultural differences affect the desires of both men and women in the region regarding marriage, often leading to comedic scenarios that mirror real-life challenges couples face. While the actors bring the festivities of the wedding to life, they also humorously express their reluctance to engage in such weddings in real life, highlighting the playful exaggeration that is an integral part of the performance. Young people from the folk group "Tramvaja muzikanti" participate as guests and musicians, further intertwining the audience's role as they are encouraged to engage creatively with the performance, enriching the overall experience of this celebratory depiction of Latgale's wedding tradition.

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