Why Riga?

This is what the world is talking about

A four-headed delegation from Riga, European Capital of Culture 2014, has come to Germany this week. Under the direction of Diāna Čivle, Director of Foundation Riga 2014, business talks were held and answers given to questions like “Why Riga?”
As reported earlier, Riga (Latvia) is host city of the 8th World Choir Games (WCG).

“We’re proud that we were able to bring the World Choir Games to Riga in 2014,” said Diāna Čivle during the discussions. Latvia with its musical people an rich traditions is well prepared already and appeared as its best in presentations and short films.

Romāns Vanags, Artistic Director of the WCG 2014, is delighted: “We seized the idea of Imants Kokars and made it to bring the World Choir Games to Latvia in 2014. We’re looking forward to choirs from around the world!” The famous conductor Imants Kokars (†) was the Latvian representative in the World Choir Council until 2008. He was one of the initiators and supporters of the idea to bring the World Choir Games to Latvia one day.

Further parts of the conversations were artistic details regarding the venues as well as the presentation of the country in Cincinnati. The Latvian hosts in 2014 will introduce their country, the city of Riga and the Latvian choral tradition to participating choirs at this year’s 7th World Choir Games. Since the signing of the contract the WCG 2014 have been meeting with great interest and “it’s a big chance for choirs in Europe to be part of this,” says Vanags.

The World Choir Games, the largest choir competition among the INTERKULTUR events is taking place every two years. For the first time ever it’s in the USA, in Cincinnati in July 2012.