Latvian Diaspora Activities Before LatWest
2008
13 January · Lucan, Dublin
Latvian Children's Activity Centre in Lucan — First Class Day of the New Year
The Latvian Children's Activity Centre (LBAC) in Lucan resumes regular activities after the holiday break. Skarleta Mukane works there as a music teacher, teaching Latvian songs, dances and games. The centre has been running since September 2007, welcoming children aged 4 to 15 from various parts of Ireland — Monaghan, Drogheda, Navan, Carlow and beyond. Classes take place every other Sunday across three age groups. The session is visited by Daina Gross, a representative of the World Free Latvian Association, who gives a positive assessment of the centre's work. This is the period when Skarleta has recently arrived in Ireland and is beginning her path in Latvian community life.
Source: baltic-ireland.ie (in Latvian) · Photo: baltic-ireland.ie
7 June · Lucan, Dublin
First Irish Latvian Amateur Arts Concert — "From Classics to Midsummer Songs"
The very first Irish Latvian amateur arts concert takes place at the Latvian Children's Activity Centre (LBAC) in Lucan. The idea came from LBAC founder Normunds Abolins-Abols, and the concert was directed by Skarleta Mukane, who had previously spent 18 years in Latvia as a music teacher and event organiser. Performing are the "eLVē" choir (conducted by Inguna Grietina), the "Jampadracis" folk dance ensemble (conducted by Solveiga Slaidina) and the "Mazais letiņš" children's vocal group. Skarleta Mukane joins Inguna Grietina to perform A. L. Webber's "Pie Jesu", and Skarleta's prose piece "Tu, mana Latvija" receives its first reading in the author's own performance. Latvian Ambassador Indulis Abelis attends the event. As Skarleta Mukane put it: "Latvian amateur arts concerts in Ireland help the diaspora continue to live a full life."
Source: baltic-ireland.ie (in Latvian) · Photo: Skarleta Lyons
Uroborus
Musicians' ensemble · County Mayo · 2009–2011Before Dominante and LatWest, there was Uroborus — a musicians' ensemble that came together in County Mayo to play Latvian and other songs live, not from recordings. The name comes from the ancient Greek symbol ouroboros — a snake eating its own tail, representing infinity and renewal.
In January 2009, Uroborus held its first concert in Ballinrobe — a memorable evening for the local Latvian audience. Despite snow and frost, the event was a great success and the audience was already asking about the next one. Uroborus continued until 2011 — when Skarleta moved to Sligo, the distance made regular rehearsals impossible and the group gradually came to a stop. But it was this ensemble that planted the seed — from Uroborus grew Dominante, and from Dominante grew LatWest.
Source: baltic-ireland.ie (articles in Latvian)
Dominante
Latvian Cultural and Arts Association · Mayo & Sligo · 2013–2015Before LatWest, there was Dominante — a Latvian Cultural and Arts Association founded by Skarleta Mukane in November 2013 in County Mayo and County Sligo. This is where community life began: small gatherings, first celebrations, Latvian culture on the west coast of Ireland. It was from Dominante that LatWest later grew.
2013
November — First Christmas
Foundation and First Christmas at Home
Dominante was founded in November 2013 as a Latvian Cultural and Arts Association in County Mayo and County Sligo. The first gatherings took place at home — at Danute and Rainer Podins, who warmly welcomed the circle of Latvian diaspora friends. The first Christmas also took place in this family atmosphere: singing together, children's performances, improvised costumes, and the feeling of happiness far from home but together with one's own people.
2014
27 April · Castlebar
"Rīga, My Rīga!" — Sligo and Mayo Latvians Together for the First Time
At Lough Lannagh Hall in Castlebar, the Dominante ensemble from Sligo and children from the Mayo Latvian Support Group's weekend school came together for the first time — the first such inter-county event uniting Latvians from both counties. Dominante performed songs by Latvian composers, and Mayo schoolchildren sang folk songs. A composition by student Kristaps Balodis about family traditions, which had received recognition in a Latvian Language Agency competition, was presented. The children performed the humorous theatrical sketch "Flower Bouquet", drawing laughter from the audience. The event concluded with a fellowship gathering featuring Latvian foods. The hall had become "Latvia in Ireland" among the schoolchildren.
23 June · Sligo
Midsummer at Dana's — Bonfire, Singing and Three Cultures Under One Sky
Over several years a tradition had developed of celebrating the Latvian Midsummer festival (Jāņi) at a farmhouse outside Sligo, at Dana's — with a large gathering of Latvians joined by Irish and German friends. Lighting the bonfire, singing the traditional līgo songs, a whole pig on a spit, home-brewed beer, songs and games. Everyone brought something from their own culture: Latvians with līgo songs, Germans with "By the Amber Sea" in German, Irish with a traditional Irish dance performed by Liga, and all together — an explanation of what Jāņi actually is.
7 July · Castlebar
Mayo Intercultural Action Festival — Latvia on the International Stage
For the third consecutive year, Latvia participated in the MIA International Festival in Castlebar, which draws thousands of visitors. Present were representatives of the Mayo Latvian Support Group and Dominante (dir. Skarleta Mukane) from Sligo, along with weekend school children. The programme included Latvian cuisine, crafts, games, folk songs, wreath-making and original compositions. Dominante performed alongside Irish youth orchestras and dancers from other nations. Collaboration with Mayo Latvians continued.
18 November · Claremorris
First National Day Celebration — Song, Flag and a Latvian Table
Dominante celebrated Latvia's Proclamation Day for the first time as a joint event for Mayo and Sligo Latvians. In the cosy evening — songs at the piano, the Latvian flag on the wall, children's performances and a rich Latvian table: rye bread, a cake with the red-white-red pattern, sour porridge and home-baked treats. "The satisfaction of the first year of singing" — that is how Skarleta described this evening.
21 December · Claremorris
"The Bells of Christmas Ring…" — Christmas Concert at St. Colman's Church
At the close of the first year — from a living room to a church arch. The year before, Dominante had sung their first Christmas concert in Dana's neighbour's home — only three rehearsals, and yet: songs for assembled Irish and a few Sligo Latvians. By 2014, the ensemble had grown: in April — the first major performance "Rīga, My Rīga" with the self-composed one-act play "Flower Bouquet" (thanks to Zane Kazotniece from the Castlebar Latvian school!); in July — the MIA International Festival in Castlebar; in November — the National Day in a small but seriously prepared setting. And now — a Christmas concert at Claremorris St. Colman's Catholic Church, together with Claremorris children and organist Laini Niguli-Belenusai.
Latvian songs under church vaulting — far from home, but that evening every note was like a little piece of Latvia. Many thanks to Claremorris St. Colman's Church and Father Peter for this invaluable opportunity to bring Latvians together in a Christmas spirit.
"The concert was truly magical. I thank my ensemble for their perseverance, their willingness to find time on that one Sunday of the week, for their patience, for their desire to sing! I wish them not to lose these qualities, not to waste time on trivialities, and not to lose themselves!"
— Skarleta Mukane, conductor
Latvian songs under church vaulting — far from home, but that evening every note was like a little piece of Latvia. Many thanks to Claremorris St. Colman's Church and Father Peter for this invaluable opportunity to bring Latvians together in a Christmas spirit.
"The concert was truly magical. I thank my ensemble for their perseverance, their willingness to find time on that one Sunday of the week, for their patience, for their desire to sing! I wish them not to lose these qualities, not to waste time on trivialities, and not to lose themselves!"
— Skarleta Mukane, conductor
2015
20 March · Tubbercarry
"The Tragedy of Latvia 1941" — Exhibition and Concert at Tubbercarry Library
As part of Latvia's EU Presidency (EU2015.LV), the travelling exhibition "The Tragedy of Latvia 1941", jointly created by the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia and the museum "Jews in Latvia", arrived in Tubbercarry (Co. Sligo). It documents the tragic events of the 1941 deportations and Holocaust in Latvia. The closing evening was hosted by Latvia's Ambassador to Ireland, Gints Apals, Ph.D., with a lecture on Latvian history. The choir also participated — songs rang out beneath the vaulting of an Irish town hall, connecting historical memory with living presence. After Tubbercarry, the exhibition continued its journey to Longford, Ballinasloe and Dublin.
30 April – 4 May · Dublin
III Latvian Cultural Festival in Ireland — Dominante on the Dublin Stage
For the third time in Ireland, the grand Latvian Cultural Festival took place under the motto "Lustīgam man dzīvot svešu ļaužu zemītē!" (How cheerful to live in a foreign land!). The five-day programme included the festival opening and photo exhibition "Sport in Latvia" at Dublin City Hall, guest ensemble concerts, animated films, a National Theatre performance, a craftspeople's market in Temple Bar, a procession through Dublin's old city and a closing concert at Meeting House Square. Dominante — the Mayo/Sligo Latvian arts and cultural association — participated in the festival programme, representing the West of Ireland Latvian community at a national-scale event.
1 October · Castlebar
Rainis 150th Anniversary — With Latvia's Ambassador at Lough Lannagh
For the 150th anniversary of Rainis and Aspazija, the Latvian community from across Ireland gathered at the beautiful Lough Lannagh lake in Castlebar. The Dominante choir and arts group under Skarleta Mukane's direction, together with accompanist Laini Niguli-Belenusa and the Mayo Latvian Sunday school under Zane Kazotniece's direction, performed in the anniversary programme. Special guests were Latvia's Ambassador to Ireland Gints Apals, Ph.D. and poet Mara Zalite, who read from her poetry collections and autobiography. The event was covered in the Connaught Telegraph (13 October).
17 October · "Protu? Protu!"
Egija Ranka — 3rd Place at the Latvian Talent Competition in Ireland
Dominante's young singer Egija Ranka took part in the Latvian children and youth talent competition in Ireland "Protu? Protu!" ("Can I? I Can!") with the song "Little Bird on a Branch" (R. Pauls / Rainis). The competition was organised in collaboration with the Mayo Latvian Support Group by the Latvian Society in Ireland (LBĪ), funded by the Latvian Language Agency (LVA) and the European Latvian Association (ELA). Egija won 3rd place in the 8–12 age group, vocal category.
18 November · Independence Day
Certificate of Recognition from the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
On Latvia's Proclamation Day — 18 November — Skarleta Mukane receives a Certificate of Recognition from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia. The certificate is solemnly presented by the then-Ambassador of Latvia to Ireland, Gints Apals, Ph.D. — for a significant contribution to the development of Latvian cultural life in Ireland.
"For this I owe thanks to my grandparents, my teachers, and the people who are on the same wavelength as me!"
"For this I owe thanks to my grandparents, my teachers, and the people who are on the same wavelength as me!"
20 December · Claremorris
"The Secret Chord" — Christmas Day in Claremorris with Ambassador and Mayor
Dominante in collaboration with Western Alzheimer's organised a full Christmas Day in Claremorris. 12:00–14:00 — Exhibition of Latvian artists' works at Claremorris Town Hall. 16:00 — LELB service in Latvian with pastor Gundars Berzins. 18:00 — Christmas concert "The Secret Chord" at St. Colman's Church with the Dominante choir under Skarleta Mukane's direction, sisters Aisling and Cathy Lyons and Claremorris youth, organists Laini Niguli-Belenusa and Maija Kravals. 20:00 — Irish premiere of the Latvian documentary film "God's Little Birds" (dir. Dzintra Geka) at Claremorris Town Hall with a post-screening discussion. Present: Latvia's Ambassador to Ireland Gints Apals, Ph.D. and Claremorris Mayor Richard Finn. Free entry; donations to the Western Alzheimer's Association.
