‘The beginning of the concert will be dedicated to the centenary of the birth of the poet Broņislava Martuževa, which will be celebrated in 2024.

We want to give the audience a glimpse into the upcoming song cycle dedicated to the poet and share her poetry read by Dita Lūriņa. We will also look back at more well-known Christmas songs from different stages of my career, this time in new arrangements – “Liesmiņa”, “Tava sirds, tavas mājas”, and others. Of course, we will also perform well-known Christmas carols from around the world, and the audience will be welcome to sing along!’.

‘When I think of Martuževa,’ Lūriņa adds, ‘I think of her strength. This is a person who seemingly didn’t exist, however. The war and Soviet rule forced the young girl to hide underground. She quite literally had to hide under the floor boards in her own home! Then came exile, and when she returned to Latvia, she was banned from publishing her work; her first publications were made under someone else's name. And yet she had such a strong and unbroken voice, such a courageous and unyielding spirit, and so much love to give.

I feel that this is something we lack now, in this world of storms and turmoil – one strong and confident voice full of love.

I therefore invite you to experience Martuževa’s poetry set to Marhilevičs’ melodies, and echoed in my own voice.’

‘See you in the RSU Great Hall to take a moment to pause, contemplate, meet, and enjoy the season – to celebrate!’

say Lūriņa and Marhilevičs.

The concert will feature a group of musicians led by Marhilevičs: Dzintars Beitāns (violin), Modris Laizāns (bass guitar), Ivars Kalniņš (percussion), Zane Biķe (vocals), Jānis Kalniņš (guitar), and Uldis Marhilevičs (piano).