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Paper short abstract:

The focus of this presentation will be on ways that folklore groups chose or were forced to develop and document their repertoire during the time of the pandemic focusing on the experiences of participants of groups in the city of Riga, Latvia.

Paper long abstract:

Since the National Awakening period in Latvia in the 1980s the interest in traditional music and singing has been growing and in the 1990s many new folklore groups were established. This process has been continuing till the present day and in 2022 according to the Latvian National Centre for Culture there were more than 220 folklore groups and ethnographic ensembles in Latvia.

Part of these groups have been formed in the capital of Latvia, Riga and are taking part in regular and various performances in the city. The development of a repertoire of folk songs in a traditional view has been connected to the countryside. Groups that are based in the city and are performing traditional song repertoire need to find and define an approach to use focusing on a place outside the city or theme too which connects its repertoire. The performance of folklore groups is an integral part of different celebrations in the city. During the time of the pandemic rehearsals and performances continued but in a different way focusing on performances for a non-existing or digital audience.

The focus of this presentation will be on ways that folklore groups chose or were forced to develop and document their repertoire during the time of the pandemic focusing on the experiences of participants of groups in the city of Riga.