Latvian Dance and the Dance Festival in Latvia

The tradition of the Latvian Song and Dance festival is known worldwide ¿ it is a unique form of folk art, in which the national spirit and identity are expressed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The inclusion of this tradition into the list of UNESCO world heritage of oral and non-material culture master pieces testifies that Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia have found a considerable way of preserving cultural tradition and development. The Song and Dance festival has several functions, such as to promote the preservation of traditional culture and its diversity and to engage the society by allowing everyone to participate. The festival has potential for promoting tolerance and mutual understanding, which, in the modern conditions of Latvia, plays a significant role in social and national integration. It is supplemented by the national identity and national awareness raising functions.