The 2026 North American Latvian Song & Dance Festival
- Diana Mathur
- Jul 11
- 2 min read
This week, thousands of Latvians from across North America—and guests from Latvia and around the world—gathered in Grand Rapids, Michigan to celebrate a tradition that has united the diaspora for generations: the North American Latvian Song & Dance Festival.
Held every four years, the Festival showcases the very best of Latvian culture through choirs, folk dancing, theater, writing, visual arts, crafts, and lifelong friendships.
Congratulations to Pērkonītis ("Little Thunder"), the dance troupe from the Southern California Latvian Center in Los Angeles, on a wonderful festival. Much time, dedication, and heart goes into preparing for an event like this. I was fortunate to dance with Pērkonītis a few years ago.
I followed the celebration from afar this year. To support the festival, I placed the following ad in the official program. The ad is designed by Georgia Saroj and features the image Parade of the Dead by Kārlis Smīltens. Smīltens art is also used in the book covers.
I'd like to also extend the offer of a gift from me to other Latvia-philes who couldn't make it to Grand Rapids this year.
I'm making my novella Article 58 available as a free ebook.
Set during the first Soviet occupation of Latvia in 1940–41, Article 58 tells the story of kids coming of age in a police state, whose lives are transformed by arrests, disappearances, and deportations. It's the prequel to my forthcoming historical mystery, Parade of the Dead, and offers a glimpse into the events that shaped Latvia's darkest years.
Whether your connection to Latvia comes through family, history, or simple curiosity, I hope you'll enjoy the story.
If you'd like your free ebook, follow the QR code in the ad or click here .
Priecīgus svētkus! Happy Festival to everyone who participated, volunteered, performed, and helped keep Latvia's traditions alive for another generation.
I hope we may polka together next year in Seattle.
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