Facts About Latvia
Latvian Folk Songs — Dainas
Latvia is one of the nations that has preserved a vast heritage of folk songs. The Latvian collection contains more than 1.2 million folk songs that reflect ancient beliefs, daily life, nature, rhythms, and wisdom of life. It is one of the richest oral cultural traditions in the world.
Centuries-old Craftsmanship Skills
In Latvia, craftspeople still live and work today, who know how to weave linen towels, make clay dishes, weave wicker baskets, carve wooden spoons, and embroider ancient patterns. Many of these crafts are inherited from times when each item was handmade and passed down from generation to generation.
Celebrating Jāņi — Summer Solstice
Jāņi, or the summer solstice celebration, is one of the oldest and most significant traditions in Latvia. People still light bonfires at night, weave wreaths, sing folk songs, jump over fires, and greet the sunrise. This tradition dates back to pre-Christian times.
Suiti Culture — UNESCO Heritage
A unique ethnographic group — the Suiti — lives in Kurzeme. Their rich polyphonic singing traditions, colorful folk costumes, and distinctive customs are included in the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. Suiti culture is a living example of how ancient traditions are still preserved today.
Lielvārde Belt — Ancestral Symbols in Ancient Texts
The Lielvārde belt is one of the most recognizable parts of Latvian folk culture. It contains more than 70 ancient symbols embroidered on it, representing protection, happiness, strength, and a connection with nature and the universe.
Ancient Riga Bishopric and the Livonian Era
As early as the 12th–13th centuries, Latvia held an important place on the map of Europe — the Livonian Order, German bishops, and local tribes formed complex relationships here. The heritage of this time is preserved in medieval castles, churches, and ancient stories.
Black Bathhouses and Healing Practices
Latvia has preserved ancient traditions of health care through bathhouses. The black bathhouse was used not only for washing but also for cleansing rituals. Old sauna masters used switches (birch or herb bundles), herbal infusions, and medicinal teas to heal the body and spirit.
