Latvian culture in Esslingen: A celebration for the community!

Latvian culture in Esslingen: A celebration for the community!

Cultural holidays: The Latvian cultural association Saime brings color to Esslingen. Esslingen has a very special meaning for many people of Latvian origin, which has its origins in the post-war years, when around 7,000 Latvian “displaced persons” lived here. The Saime cultural association in Esslingen wants to keep this eventful history alive and cultivate the richness of Latvian traditions. This is done, among other things, by remembering the tried and tested singing festivals, which play a central role in Latvian culture. As early as 1947, a remarkable singing festival took place in Esslingen - an event that strengthened the community and passed on the cultural heritage.

With a special lecture that will take place on November 10, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. in the Esslingen Municipal Cinema, the association is setting an example for the feeling of togetherness. The speaker is Signe Pujate, director of the Latvian National Cultural Center. In her lecture entitled “The Latvian Song and Dance Festival as a Phenomenon and UNESCO World Heritage Site,” she will shed light on the almost two-century-old tradition and the importance of the song and dance festival as an essential part of Latvian identity. Over 40,000 active participants are involved in the festival, which takes place every five years and promotes national unity.

An immersion in culture

The lecture is not only informative, but also free of charge - registration is not required. Laura Putane, chairwoman of Saime, highlights the importance of this festival for Latvian identity and speaks of the importance of sharing such cultural experiences. The Latvian animated film “Flow” will then be presented, which was internationally recognized for its moving story about togetherness and community. The film brought home awards from such high-profile awards as the European Film Prize, Golden Globe and even an Oscar. Admission to the film is 10 euros (reduced 7 euros).

Visitors are invited to appear in their own traditional costumes to celebrate the diversity of Latvian cultures. The traditional costumes presented during the lecture come from different regions of Latvia and will certainly bring additional life to the event. It will be interesting to see whether Latvia actually turns out to be a “singing country”!

The Saime cultural association, founded in 2015, aims to promote Latvian identity through language and traditions and to provide information about its own cultural history. The event is an excellent opportunity to deal with this identity and strengthen the community, as [esslinger-zeitung.de](https://www.esslinger-zeitung.de/content.kulturverein- Feiert-in-esslingen-die-lettische-kultur-soll-menschen-verbinden.ea05b08f-3019-4221-ad41-112f0fd958ea.html) reports.

In collaboration with KOKI Esslingen, this evening will be an unforgettable experience for everyone who is interested in culture and community. So don't forget to enter the date and maybe even show up in festive folk costume!