Concerts in memory of Imants Ziedonis will be held with the support of Rietumu Bank and its charity fund

In June, with the support of Rietumu Bank and “Nākotnes Atbalsta fonds” (Future Support Fund), the charity fund founded by the bank, concerts to commemorate the outstanding Latvian poet and writer Imants Ziedonis will take place in Riga.

Concerts entitled “Ziedonis. Lācis. Vīrieši.” (“Ziedonis. Lācis. Men.”) will feature well-known Latvian soloists, actors and musicians – including Intars Busulis, Jānis Šipkēvics, Andris Keišs, Artūrs Skrastiņš, Kaspars Znotiņš and others. They will perform the works of composer Kārlis Lācis to lyrics by Imants Ziedonis.

“Those who have worked with and have been close to Ziedonis are familiar with the concept we call the “Ziedonis factor”. That is, you compose something, work on it, and in the end it turns out somehow different, even better. And that is the real miracle. When whoever “touches” the works of Ziedonis, the great master still brings something of himself to the result – even now, when he is far away from us, in the other world,” says Kārlis Lācis.

“We will be singing about the most important thing in the world – love. The lyrics of Imants Ziedonis and the music written by Kārlis Lācis combine so harmoniously that they give each composition a special power,” thinks Intars Busulis.

“Ziedonis. Lācis. Vīriesi” concerts will take place on June 18 and 19 at Riga Dailes Theatre.

Inga Šīna, Chairperson of the Board of “Nākotnes Atbalsta fonds”, notes: “I am very glad that we have supported this wonderful creative project. It appeared very timely, although essentially it is completely timeless, for the works of Imants Ziedonis, like all truly great things, exist outside time and space. But at the same time, the wisdom, love and strength that flow through them are especially needed and important for all of us today. I wish all the musicians, artists and, of course, all the members of the audience to become a part of this world of goodness and harmony and to gain the strength for their future from it!”

With the support of the Latvian Medical Association and in cooperation with “Nākotnes Atbalsta fonds” (Future Support Fund), part of the concert tickets was donated to doctors and other emergency workers of State Emergency Medical Service of Latvia who selflessly fought the pandemic throughout the last two years of Covid-19 and continue to do so now.

Also, with the support of the Latvian Red Cross, “Nākotnes Atbalsta fonds” have donated part of the tickets to volunteers who have been helping and continue to help Ukrainian refugees arriving to Latvia.