Blogs

Updated version of ‘Manai tautai’ recalls desire for Latvian unity

November 22, 2009

The unofficial anthem of the late 1980s National Awakening in Latvia was the moving “Manai tautai,” a song performed by Ieva Akuratere and penned by California-based Brigita Ritmane and her father, Andris Ritmanis. Now, two decades after the song rattled Soviet authorities in occupied Latvia, a group of young performers has recorded a new version.

The project to record a new version was led by Mārtiņš Otto, who assembled 11 performers for the song and video:  Intars Busulis, Artis Dvarionas, Goran Gora (real name Jānis Holšteins), Linda Leen (Linda Feldberga), Jānis Šipkēvics, Māra Holšteine Upmane, Martin Confused (Mārtiņš Dambis), Linda Ivanova, Evija Smagare, Andis Grīva and Ervīns Ramiņš.

The song calls on God to help reunite the Latvian people, who are scattered around the world. Akuratere first performed the song during the 1988 “Liepājas Dzintars” music festival. As Soviet authorities watched, the audience rose to its feet.

Akuratere, in an interview with Latvian State Television, noted that the call for unity remains relevant today.

The new version’s video, which begins with film of Akuratere performing the song, became available online on Nov. 18. Watch it on YouTube.

Andris Straumanis is editor of Latvians Online.

Comments

No comments have been posted about this article.

Post a comment

Comments are limited to 2,500 characters. Don't post foul language, libelous statements, commercial messages or material copyrighted by others. Comments are moderated and are posted after review. Those deemed inappropriate or off-topic will be deleted without notification. For more information, contact us.

Festivals

What's new

News

07 Feb 2010

Irish solicitor disappointed by lack of charges in Saulīte case

The Irish attorney who represented murder victim Baiba Saulīte,…

Blogs

07 Feb 2010

Translated diary offers teenage boy’s view of life after war

The book has been out for a few months, but now there’s a Web…

Reviews

03 Feb 2010

Just another travel guide? For Rīga, fortunately not!

Are all travel guides the same? Is this really…

In the forums

Latvia for Sale...... posted by Dejotajs on 05 Feb 2010

Someone send William McIntosh, the D-Day Memorial's president, a copy of "The Soviet Story" posted by ambersun on 04 Feb 2010

Months go by.... posted by nick on 01 Feb 2010

English to Latvian translation required posted by fleuryfox on 01 Feb 2010

Blue paper, white chalk for medicinal healing in Latvia posted by Irena on 31 Jan 2010

Listen to radio
Vote
60 of the most popular Latvian folk songs sung by "Lini" and friends from Minneapolis. Juriņ’ prasa smalku tīklu, Bēdu manu lielu bēdu, Div’ dūjiņas gaisā skrēja, Strauja strauja upe tecēj’, Kumeliņi kumeliņi, and many more, including children's songs. Booklet includes texts to all songs. USD 20 (double CD) or USD 50 for three, plus shipping. Contact zintapone@yahoo.com or +1 (612) 751-1679.

Advertise with Latvians Online! Click here

Baiba and Lauma Skride