The Riga Latvian Society’s folk dance group „Vija”
Artistic leader Jānis Vilcāns

On May, 1947 the folk dance group “Vija” gave its first concert, and this day is considered to be the day of the group’s establishing. Starting with the group’s foundation, it has distinguished with the fast and characteristic dances. In its turn, the Riga Latvian Society’s folk dance group under the leadership of Māra Kokina was founded in autumn, 1989. In 1991 the dancers started their trainings in the recovered Riga Latvian Society House. In 1999/2000 middle aged dance group under the leadership of Jānis Vilcāns joined the collective.

Folk dance group “Vija” participates every year in the Herbs and Grass Market, Miķelis Day’s markets, concerts in the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum and other Riga City’s organized events. Regularly gives concerts outside Riga and participates in international festivals. The tradition is the group’s participation in traditional dance festival in Spain and Octoberfest in Germany.

Notable achievements:
2002 – 2nd degree’s diploma in dance festival Lout de Mar in Spain; 1st place in middle age collectives’ group in dance groups’ contest in Latvia
2004 – Grand Prix in folklore festival “Callela” in Spain
2005, 2006 – winner’s honour’s diploma in the festival “Calella” in Spain
2007 – best dance group’s diploma in Oktoberfest in Germany

Contacts: Jānis Vilcāns – mob + 371 26353325