What Is Latvian Folk Dancing? And Why Are We Still Doing It?

If you've never seen Latvian folk dancing before, your first question is probably something along the lines of:

"Wait... people still do this?"

Fair question.

In a world of TikTok trends, streaming services and endless things competing for our attention, spending an evening learning traditional dances that have been passed down through generations might seem a little unexpected.

But that's exactly why it's special.

Latvian folk dancing has been part of Latvian culture for generations. The dances themselves are inspired by everyday life, nature, celebrations, courtship, work and community. Over time they evolved, were choreographed, preserved and passed from one generation to the next.

And somehow, despite everything changing around us, people are still dancing them.

Not because we have to.

Because we want to.

For many of us, folk dancing is more than learning steps. It's a way of staying connected to our roots, our language and a culture that has survived wars, occupations, migration and decades of change.

Some of our dancers were born in Latvia. Some were born in the UK. Some speak fluent Latvian. Some know just enough to get by at rehearsal and understand when somebody mentions snacks.

But when the music starts, none of that really matters.

We're all part of the same story.

One of the most incredible things about Latvian folk dancing is that you're never dancing alone. Across Latvia and around the world, thousands of people are learning the same dances, attending the same festivals and keeping the same traditions alive.

Every five years, that story comes together at the Latvian Song and Dance Festival. Tens of thousands of singers and dancers gather to celebrate Latvian culture in one of the largest events of its kind anywhere in the world.

And yes, it's every bit as impressive as it sounds.

At Leicester Latvian Folk Dance Group, we're proud to play a tiny part in that much bigger picture.

We're also proof that folk dancing isn't just something that belongs in history books.

Our generation has inherited something incredibly special. We get to dance dances from the past and new choreographies that tell amazing stories. Hence we always say - dance like you understand what you dance about. When you do, it's no longer just a series of steps. Your feet tell the story, and so does your soul.

And honestly? We think that's pretty cool.

So what is Latvian folk dancing?

It's culture.

It's community.

It's organised chaos on occasion.

And it's a tradition we're proud to keep dancing forward.