Blog Layout

Jesus Montes: fulfilling the dream – participating in Latvian Song and Dance Festival

October 16, 2023

In an interview a year ago, Jesus Montes mentioned that his dream is to participate in the Nationwide Latvian Song and Dance Festival. This year his dream came true – he took part in the festival both as a dancer and as a member of the choir. We invited Jesus to an interview so he could share his experience.

 

What did you choose to do folk dance? For how long have you been doing it?


I started to dance while I was in university which is a long time ago. I started with Mexican folk dance, then when I moved to Croatia – I did Croatian folk dance. I came here in October 5 years ago and in November, I was already practicing Latvian folk dance in “Strautuguns”. That means I have already been dancing Latvian Folk dance for almost 5 years.


If you want to get to know the country that you are living in, the best way to do that is to go to the roots. The roots of any nation are folklore and traditions. When you are in a foreign country, you have 2 options on how to live and enjoy the place - the first one is to be a permanent tourist, and the second option is to integrate into the society which is what I chose to do.

 


How were the rehearsals at the festival?


All the time were rehearsals – in the morning, in the evening, sometimes even at night… all the time were rehearsals. Sometimes we had to get up at 6.30 to have breakfast because around 7.20 we had to leave for the rehearsals which started at 8.00. When you get to the rehearsals, you practice dances several times – one simple dance that you already know, could take up to 30 to 40 minutes just so everyone could get it right.

 

What is your relationship with the Latvian language? Wasn’t that a barrier in the rehearsals?


It has always been a barrier, because even in “Strautuguns” all instructions are in Latvian, and I don’t understand any of them! I have a lot of experience in dance which helps me to learn new movements more quickly as I see them and just have to try to repeat them. Sometimes I am doing something wrong, but my colleagues just correct me.


At the festival, I just had to go with the flow. You cannot just say: “Hey, give me a translation, please!”


I have also been singing in a choir called “Līvzeme” for 1,5 years. In the last concert in Mežaparks, I started the concert in the choir, sang 5 or 6 songs and then I went down to the stage and joined “Strautuguns”. Participating in the choir, I don’t know what I am singing, but it is really helping me to get the pronunciation right and understand how the Latvian language works. Maybe, in a couple of years, the interview will be in Latvian!

 

Did you observe any other concert or event?


No, I couldn’t. With “Strautuguns” I had a performance in the Daugava stadium, additionally, we had the privilege to participate in the Mežaparks concert on Sunday. Also, we had 2 concerts called “Balts” in Arena Riga. We left Ventspils on Friday because during the weekend we had rehearsals for the concert “Balts”, then we had to practice for the grand finale concert in Daugava stadium which was on Saturday, between those rehearsals, we had to practice for the Mežaparks concert.


In some moments we had a little window of time, we used that time to go to some museums but nothing else.

 


What were your expectations before going to the festival?


As I said, I have been practicing dance for several years and I have been to many concerts and festivals. I thought this one was going to be something similar. I had seen several videos before on YouTube and it just looked like there were a lot of people, but one thing is seeing the video and another very different is being there observing the performance. Seeing a video is nothing compared to when you are doing it and living in the event.

 

What emotions did you feel in the Grand finale concert in Daugava stadium?


There are many emotions. You can have the knee almost broken or the ankle sprained so that you cannot walk, but you still say “I will dance it!”. I saw several dancers who, unfortunately, needed medical attention. One person ended up with crutches. For us dancers, I think the most painful thing is not the physical pain but the pain that you have waited 5 years to dance in this festival, but in one rehearsal the opportunity to dance is taken away.


When you end the performance, you listen to applause – the first applause is from the public when the dance ends and you are leaving the field and the second set of applause is for the thousands of dancers who are waiting to go on the field. That is fantastic! In the end, I felt Latvia in my heart, and still do.


The festival is one of the most impressive experiences that I have had in my entire life!



If you will have a chance – will you do it again in 2028?


Protams (Of course)! That is not even a question. I hope that I can do it because, unfortunately, I have minor problems with my knee. From time to time it can be painful. In the last part of the concert, we had to dance on a slope and the pressure on the legs was different compared to dancing on flat ground. Right before I entered the stadium, I thought to myself “If the knee has to get broken, let’s get it broken if it’s necessary for me to dance”.



What do you wish for Latvians?



You need to experience the festival, but most importantly you need to be proud of that kind of event, culture, and traditions. It is fantastic and absolutely unique.


Share on other platforms

Other news

By Rota Rulle March 31, 2025
From March 21 to March 23, Ventspils University was the venue for the European University Alliance Colours hackathon "Combat Robotics" and the Ventspils Robotics Championship – one of the stages of the Latvian Championship. The event brought together technology and robotics enthusiasts from Latvia, Lithuania, Spain, Croatia and Egypt.
By Rota Rulle March 31, 2025
On Wednesday, May 28, everyone is invited to the Kurzeme Business Forum “Artificial Intelligence – The 4th Industrial Revolution”, which will take place at the Latvija concert hall. The forum will bring together entrepreneurs, municipal representatives, university staff and students, as well as technology experts to discuss the significance of education and the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on business. The first part of the forum will focus on the role of higher education in the AI era. The development of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences will be examined in this context, addressing key questions: How will the education system adapt to new requirements? Which professions will remain relevant, and which will change? The discussion will also explore the synergy between AI and cybersecurity in academic studies. The second part of the forum will address the question—do businesses need AI? The legal framework and state support mechanisms for such innovations will be introduced. Entrepreneurs will share their experiences, and participants will gain insights into common myths and the real situation regarding AI in Latvia’s economy. The discussion will conclude with an exploration of the opportunities for port development in the AI era. Participants will have the chance to engage in valuable discussions and networking sessions. Although the forum will be held in Latvian, the company SIA Tilde will provide real-time translation into any language using AI technology. Register for the forum now: https://www.kurzemesbiznesaforums.lv/ The forum is organized by Ventspils University of Applied Sciences within the European University Alliance COLOURS, in collaboration with the Ventspils State City Municipality, the Freeport of Ventspils Authority, and the Green and Smart Technology Cluster.
By Rota Rulle March 24, 2025
From March 21 to March 23, Ventspils University was the venue for the European University Alliance Colours hackathon "Combat Robotics" and the Ventspils Robotics Championship – one of the stages of the Latvian Championship. The event brought together technology and robotics enthusiasts from Latvia, Lithuania, Spain, Croatia and Egypt. On Friday, March 21, 13 teams from various regions of Latvia, as well as partner universities in Croatia and Spain, began a three-day hackathon. During the event, teams were tasked with designing and building a combat robot to compete in a specially designed arena. After several intense battles, the grand prize of €1,500 was claimed by a team from Riga, Latvia with their combat robot "The Shredinator." Second place went to VUAS students with their robot "Bob," earning a €600 cash prize. Meanwhile, third place and a €400 prize were awarded to a team from Latgale with their robot "Zeimuļs vs PRK." The Ventspils City Special Award went to the team "Labākais tiiims ever" for their exceptionally creative combat robot design. Hackathon winner Patriks Ezerins shares: “I think this is a really cool way for people to come together – engineers, future engineers, and robotics enthusiasts – to build something amazing within a set time limit and then battle it out for victory. It’s a unique opportunity! I definitely recommend giving it a try, especially with the kits we provide. Even someone with zero coding knowledge can come, take a basic chassis (which is a pre-assigned part), print it, install the motors and controller, and start driving. That’s it – you’re ready to fight! I encourage everyone to participate, because the more participants we have in the future, the more hackathons like this will continue!” On Saturday, robotics and technology enthusiasts from Latvia, Lithuania and Croatia gathered at VUAS to participate in the Ventspils Robotics Championship. Throughout the championship, more than 50 robots competed in nine different disciplines, like Folkrace, Antweight, Mini Sumo, Line following and iRobot Sumo, and showcasing the participants' outstanding skills and innovative solutions. Team from Croatia placed 2 nd in Mini Sumo PRO category. The Ventspils City Special Award in the Robotics Championship was not given to an individual but to a team from Sigulda in recognition of their enthusiasm and extensive participation, demonstrating their contribution to the development of robotics. Photos: Day 1: https://zviedrans.lv/galleries/ventspils-starptautiskais-cinas-robotu-hakatons-1-diena-21-03-2025/ Day 2: https://zviedrans.lv/galleries/ventspils-starptautiskais-cinas-robotu-hakatons-2-diena-22-03-2025/ Day 3: https://zviedrans.lv/galleries/ventspils-starptautiskais-cinas-robotu-hakatons-3-diena-23-03-2025/
By Rota Rulle March 6, 2025
On March 7 at 16:00, the opening of the Ventspils University of Applied Sciences Student Entrepreneurship Center will take place at the Moomentum coworking space. The center is being established within the framework of the European university alliance COLOURS and will serve as an innovation and entrepreneurship support hub for students. The primary goal of the Student Entrepreneurship Center is to foster innovation and entrepreneurship among alliance students, helping them create and develop business ideas. The center provides a supportive environment where students can collaborate with partners to design new products and services that address modern challenges. On March 8, a practical workshop is planned, during which students themselves will define their needs and the type of support they would like to receive when starting a business, as well as identify what has been lacking so far. The head of the Student Entrepreneurship Center, Gvido Grīnbergs, states: "In my opinion, this center will be an excellent collaboration point between the Ventspils Business Support Center, the LIAA Ventspils branch, the Moomentum coworking space, Ventspils University of Applied Sciences students, and society as a whole." The COLOURS alliance brings together nine international universities, uniting approximately 126,000 students, 12,300 staff members, and 54 associated partners. COLOURS offers students opportunities to participate in hackathons both in Latvia and abroad, develop mobility networks, take advantage of extensive internship opportunities, acquire micro-qualification courses for personal development, attend summer schools, and represent their university in international student forums. Additionally, the alliance aims to promote joint educational programs in research and innovation by collaborating with local businesses, thereby enhancing student, young researcher, lecturer, and administrative staff mobility among partner universities. At the same time, innovative interdisciplinary projects will strengthen international research collaboration and support both local and international entrepreneurs by sharing knowledge and technologies.
By Rota Rulle March 5, 2025
As part of the European University Alliance “COLOURS”, the students of the Alliance universities are offered a great opportunity to participate in a rapid and collaborative engineering hackathon – the International Ventspils Combat Robotics Hackathon “Combat Robotics”, March 21- 23, 2025 . If any international hackathon participants wish, there is a unique opportunity to participate in an additional activity – the Latvian Robotics Championship 2025, which will also take place in Ventspils, on March 22. , welcoming robotics enthusiasts and curious spectators. Students can participate in this championship with existing robots that they bring with them. Dream it! Make it! Test it! Share it! Problem/ challenge to be solved in the hackathon: Make a robot for the relevant section that proves to be the best combo of performance, innovation, design and technical solutions during the hackathon. Background to the Hackathon problem/ challenge: The CoLab event “Higher education and workforce in the Region” a very topical trend emerged from the business community and stakeholders who participated in the event – that regions need not just engineers, but engineers with creativity and initiative. Research and Development departments need innovative ideas and technological solutions to make the production process more efficient and innovative through the use of robotic technologies. Hackathon Objective: to allow students to apply the theoretical knowledge acquired in their studies in practical projects, to promote engineering and robotics technology development, and to encourage student collaboration within the COLOURS Alliance. Skills which will be improved: design and critical thinking, prototyping, testing, problem-solving, engineering skills, team management and communication skills. The theme of the hackathon matches the area of regional specialization: Advanced industries, manufacturing and smart technologies, electro-mechanical industry, mechatronics and automotive, and Industry 4.0. Over three exciting days, teams will: Develop their combat robots; Present their robots to a jury; Compete in a specially designed arena with eligible robots. Based on the “COLOURS” agreement, the prize fund for the Hackathon is up to 2500 EUR. It’s possible to receive valuable prizes from event sponsors. Registration for the hackathon: Open until March 18, 2025 , by filling out the application form: https://forms.gle/kDraaQ157YyMdA619 The construction will take place on-site with the given materials. To successfully implement the project, you must definitely have some basic technical skills, i.e., electrical connections will be given, you must know simple soldering, the design and implementation of the case requires the ability to draw 2D or 3D simple objects for printing, laser cutting. We will try to help within our abilities, but that is why there are 3-4 people in the team (preferably with different skills) in order to successfully implement the intended project, design.
By Rota Rulle March 5, 2025
On February 21, UNESCO’s International Mother Language Day was celebrated. Rebeka Miksone, a journalist for the newspaper “Ventas Balss”, invited Aiga Veckalne — translator, editor, research assistant and guest lecturer at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences who was recently honored as the first recipient of the Language Prize in Latvia — to an interview. What does the Language Prize mean to you? It is both a great joy and honor, as well as a significant responsibility. I work consciously and purposefully in the field of language because I believe it is essential for the Latvian language to evolve, ensuring that people can express themselves in their native tongue. This award serves as recognition for me that my work is, hopefully, truly valuable and beneficial. Which of these professional roles — editor, translator, or tutor — demands the most in your daily life? I am very pleased that, through both fortunate coincidences and purposeful effort, my life has unfolded in a way that everything I do is connected to language. Some weeks, I am more of a translator and editor, working on book projects. At other times, I focus on conducting training sessions for companies, taking on the role of a communication coach and tutor. Fridays are my student days — those are the days when I also lecture. At Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, I work as a research assistant and guest lecturer while also pursuing my doctorate. I teach master’s students courses on translation and terminology management, as well as social media communication. Additionally, I am a guest lecturer at Rīga Stradiņš University. Daily, I create a lot of content for my social media project Pieturzīmes, which revolves around communication and language. This allows me to switch between my various professional roles quite seamlessly. How would you evaluate Ventspils University of Applied Sciences in comparison to other higher education institutions offering language studies? It would certainly have been easier to comment on this when I was serving as Vice-Rector for Studies at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences. Now, my opinion is more subjective. In my view, Ventspils University of Applied Sciences holds a unique position in Latvia, as it is currently the only higher education institution offering such a wide range of programs in the field of translation. Both the bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in the translation are highly recognised. The VUAS Master’s program “Translation and Terminology” is a part of the European Master’s in Translation (EMT) network, which is dedicated to excellence in translation studies. Being included in this network is a great honor and a recognition of the high-quality education provided at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, as entering this prestigious network is no easy feat. One of the university’s key strengths is its practical approach to education. Whether in information technology, economics, translation, or intercultural communication, all programs emphasize hands-on experience. Courses are taught by tutors with extensive professional backgrounds, many of whom are actively working in their respective industries. Additionally, students have excellent internship opportunities, allowing them to immediately apply their knowledge in real-world settings. Many graduates have gone on to establish successful businesses and become well-known professionals in their fields. Of course, it is also worth mentioning the Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre, which is unique not only in Latvia but in the entire Baltic region. The research conducted across all university faculties deserves high praise, as projects involving Ventspils University of Applied Sciences researchers are highly applicable and contribute significantly to their respective fields. The university’s active engagement in international cooperation is another commendable aspect. What are the biggest challenges facing Latvian language today? Latvian has always been influenced by other languages. In the past, German and Russian were dominant; today, English plays a major role. On the one hand, this allows us to enrich our language with new words. As new realities emerge, we need ways to describe them, and often we look to other languages for terminology. However, what concerns me is the tendency to automatically adopt English words — sometimes simply adding a Latvian ending — instead of seeking or using existing Latvian equivalents. This can lead to the unnecessary replacement of well-established words in our language. For example, we don’t need to say spektrs, notifikācijas, implementācija, or kredibilitāte when we have perfectly good Latvian alternatives. It’s about being mindful of our language and carefully considering our word choices. Another concern is the influence of English on sentence structure. While borrowing words is a more visible and external layer of language change, shifts in sentence structure happen gradually and are harder to notice. Once this process begins, it is likely to continue shaping the future of Latvian. For example, in many languages, the expression of necessity differs from Latvian. Under foreign influence, we increasingly write “It is necessary to do...” instead of the more natural Latvian construction “Tas būtu jādara.” Artificial intelligence and machine translation also present challenges, as they often produce literal translations that retain English sentence structures. Some linguists reassure me that this has always been the case — both German and Soviet-era Russian influenced Latvian syntax. Language is constantly evolving, regardless of whether we encourage or resist these changes. People sometimes ask me if this is good or bad, but that’s just how it is. Only time will show us the full picture. As an observer, I enjoy watching how language evolves. However, we must also recognize that Latvian language is our responsibility. If we want it to thrive for another 100 or 200 years, we must actively use it in all areas of life, consciously choosing Latvian words instead of defaulting to anglicisms. Writing clearly and understandably is also crucial — not only for the language’s development but for ensuring it remains vibrant and rich. Latvian is an ancient and unique language, and we have every reason to be proud of it. You talk a lot about simple language. As we know, expressing complex ideas in simple terms can be challenging. How can one develop this skill? Yes, we often write in an unnecessarily complicated and verbose manner. This happens for several reasons. One is tradition — complexity was once seen as a sign of sophistication. This mindset still lingers in legal and bureaucratic language. However, society is changing, and language cannot be viewed in isolation from these changes. A modern democratic state is meant to serve all its citizens, ensuring that everyone has the right to express themselves and access information. Yet, official communication often hinders people from exercising their rights because they simply do not understand what is written. This can lead to frustration and a sense of helplessness. A striking example was the case of Gabriels Mutors, a young cancer patient whose family received a bureaucratic and impersonal response from the National Health Service. The reply made it feel as though he was nothing more than a statistic in an Excel spreadsheet. If we truly value respect, openness, and a willingness to help, then our written communication must reflect these principles. Otherwise, they remain empty words. This is where simple language comes in — writing in a way that makes legal, administrative, and public texts clearer and more accessible. Another important concept is easy-to-read language, which is specifically designed for people with cognitive or developmental disabilities, visual impairments, or those who are still learning Latvian. A recent discussion about translating Surveyor’s Times (“Mērnieku laiki”) into simplified language sparked a debate about whether such efforts are necessary. In these discussions, we must remember the people who have long been excluded from access to information. Inclusive language — language that avoids offense, prejudice, and discrimination — is also crucial in building a democratic and inclusive society where people feel respected, safe, and informed. What are your thoughts on the emergence of new words in Latvian? New words are constantly being created. In families with young children, it’s common for unique words to emerge, sometimes passed down through generations. This creativity is a natural part of language evolution. Anyone can invent new words — even humorous ones. If we stop introducing new vocabulary, language growth will stagnate. Of course, only a fraction of new words make it into official databases and dictionaries. Professor Andrejs Veisbergs once noted that only about 10% of new words eventually become widely accepted. Many remain confined to literature, specific social groups, or family settings. Do you see a problem in young people reading less printed literature and consuming more social media content? I wouldn’t call it a problem — it’s simply a characteristic of the digital age. Every generation has had its own unique influences. However, what stands out today is the sheer scale of the change. Never before has Latvian been so overwhelmingly influenced by English. Many young people consume most of their content — whether reading, listening, or speaking — in English. Often, they even use English to express emotions they find difficult to articulate in Latvian. The emotional distance provided by English is interesting to observe. English creates a certain emotional distance. We’ll see how this evolves over time. At the same time, young people are well aware of this distinction and know how to separate everyday slang and jargon from literary language — a point I’ve heard from several teachers. The findings of the new Latvian Language Agency study Youth Language in Latvia: Prestige, Skill, and Use of Latvian and English (2022–2024) further support this observation. Which languages do you translate from? I translate from English, Czech, and Slovak. My experience includes both popular science books such as James Nestor’s “Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art” and Matthew Walker’s “Why We Sleep” (2nd edition), as well as fiction. I feel particularly connected to my translations from Slovak, such as Katarína Kucbelová’s “Čepiec” and Monika Kompaníková’s “Piata loď”. Currently, I’m working on Jonathan Haidt’s book “The Anxious Generation”, which explores why Generation Z experiences such high levels of anxiety and depression — largely due to digital technology. What brings you joy, even on difficult days? I believe we should find reasons to smile every day. My passion for work is what motivates me — it’s a privilege to do something I truly love. My family, friends, and meaningful conversations bring me joy. I also love traveling, reading, and constantly learning — curiosity keeps me moving forward. Source: Newspaper “Ventas Balss”, February 21 edition
Other news
Share by: