Latvian singer Aija Andrejeva marked her 40th birthday on January 16th with a quiet festivity alongside her husband, musician Jānis Aišpurs, in Tallinn, Estonia, where he is currently recording with his band, “Teh Sound Poets.” The milestone comes as Andrejeva reflects on two decades in the music industry and prepares for a continuation of her popular “Now” concert series with three additional dates scheduled throughout January and February. Beyond her musical endeavors, Andrejeva is also participating in commemorative events marking the 35th anniversary of the 1991 barricades, a pivotal moment in Latvia’s fight for independence.
“I want to believe that we are strong in our conviction of who we are. I want to believe that our faith in ourselves as a nation is strong enough not to break us, not to easily divide us or divert us from what is truly essential,” says popular singer Aija Andrejeva.
Today, January 16, we warmly congratulate her on her 40th birthday!
Together with her husband in a neighboring country
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This year, the singer will celebrate her birthday a little differently than usual. It coincides with a time when her husband, musician Jānis Aišpurs, is working with his band “The Sound Poets” on a new album in Tallinn. As Jānis is spending the week in the Estonian capital, Aija has decided to join him for the weekend and spend some time in the neighboring country.
Normally, the singer is at home on her birthday, and close friends and family know they can drop by without much warning. She always makes sure to have smoked bread, chilled beet soup, and champagne ready. Everyone then squeezes into her small kitchen, and Aija always smiles at how many people she can fit in there.
Although this year marks a milestone birthday, and friends have been asking how she’ll celebrate, the singer admits she hasn’t had the time or energy to plan a big party after an intense concert season at the end of the year. However, the idea of a get-together with friends hasn’t been completely ruled out – it might happen later.
“But those who really want to celebrate now are invited to Tallinn. I know a couple of ‘buddies’ will be joining us, and that’s really cool!”
Better Than Ever
Forty years old – is that a lot? Aija admits she hadn’t wanted to think about it, but the outside world inevitably prompts reflection.
“You know, when I really stopped and thought about it, I realized – yes, forty is actually halfway through life. It’s a strange feeling.”
But at the same time, right now I feel better than ever in my life! More stable and confident than before,” the singer says.
She emphasizes that every stage of life has had its own beauty – interesting, exciting, transformative, with bigger and smaller worries, louder and quieter victories. Nothing she’s experienced has been superfluous, and she’s genuinely happy with the path she’s taken.
Aija smiles, recalling that many people have told her that life begins at forty. And perhaps there’s some truth to that.
Because right now, she feels really good in her body, in her creative world, and with the people who are by her side during life’s most important moments. There’s a feeling that everything is in its place.
Those are her reflections as she crosses the 40-year threshold. “You just have to keep living! Simply – keep living,” she says.
Three Additional “Now” Concerts
Marking 20 years on stage, Aija Andrejeva invited fans to a special concert series “Now” last autumn. These were festive concerts, a musical journey through time – from her first steps on stage to the present day, highlighting both new and beloved repertoire. The concerts are a testament to Andrejeva’s enduring popularity in the Latvian music scene.
“These were very special concerts for me. It was a great joy to be able to meet and for people to enjoy them. I really enjoyed it – it’s actually a great happiness,” says the singer, who has become one of the brightest and most versatile personalities on the Latvian music stage in 20 years.
She doesn’t hide the fact that the concert tour required a lot of strength and energy, but at the same time it gave her a lot. Due to audience demand, three additional concerts have been announced in January and February:
– January 22 in Riga, at the VEF Culture Palace,
– January 29 in Ulbroka, at the “Ulbrokas pērle” Culture Center,
– February 1 in Cēsis, at the “Cēsis” Concert Hall.
“I’m looking forward to these concerts with joy and a festive feeling,” Aija admits. They will feature songs from last March’s album “Now,” as well as listeners’ favorite hits from Aija’s previous masterpieces “You and Me,” “I Will Go Further,” “Nonsense,” and others.
After these concerts, Aija and Jānis will travel to Argentina – a place she has never been before, although it has long been one of her dream destinations.
The almost month-long trip is planned as a break in nature, in the mountains, but not only. Of course, they will also enjoy the atmosphere of Argentina – tango, wine, and the feeling that time can flow differently for a while.
And already on March 21, the singer will be back in “Now” – on stage at a concert at the Slampes Culture Palace.
Celebrate Everyday Life
Before that, on March 6 at 6:00 PM, Aija will take the stage at the Music House “Daile” for the premiere of the concert performance “Ziedonis. Bear. Epiphanies.”
Ziedonis’ epiphanies in Karlis Lācis’ music, sung by Aija Andrejeva, Aminata Grieta Diarra, and Aija Vītoliņa, with percussion by Ainā Zavacka and readings by Kaspars Znotiņš.
“Imants Ziedonis explains that epiphanies are small impulses, small flares, in whose light some moments in life are illuminated particularly brightly. Karlis Lācis has dressed them in musical language. ‘Ziedonis. Bear. Epiphanies’ is an event where we invite people to celebrate everyday life and see the bright and special in it!” says director Elīna Gediņa. The next concert performance: March 29 at 1:00 PM.
Emotions from the 1991 Barricades
This week, as Latvia commemorates the 35th anniversary of the 1991 Barricades, Aija is thinking a lot about what is happening in the world. These reflections are even more powerful because she has been invited to participate in the concert performance “With the Power of Depth” at Riga Cathedral on January 20.
The concert performance will tell the story of January 14, 1991 – the “Barricade Time” – poetically reflecting its most important episodes and restoring the emotions of that time.
It will be a story about our path of consciousness – from fear, doubt and uncertainty to defiance, strength and faith in ourselves and Latvia.
The program will feature choral music, solo songs, and music for organ. Also on stage will be the Riga Dome Girls’ Choir “Tiara,” the VEF Culture Palace Women’s Choir “Dzintars,” conductor Aira Birziņa, soloist Jānis Aišpurs, musicians Diāna Jaunzeme-Portnaja (organ), Edgars Tomševics (piano), Indulis Cintiņš (violin), Laima Jansone (kokle), Valdis Zilveris (accordion), and actors Baiba Broka and Gerds Lapoška. The concert performance lasts approximately 1 hour. Admission is free.
“I will be singing Imants Kalniņš and Leonīds Breikšs’ ‘Prayer’ – a song that was performed at the time by Ieva Akurātere. It’s a very big responsibility for me – both for the authors and for Ieva, and also because this song is so relevant today…” says Aija.
She was five years old during the Barricades, but she still remembers the anxiety that reigned at home. “I remember watching what was happening in Riga on television, and I was very worried when my dad went to Riga – I was afraid something would happen to him… It was a very worrying time for me as a child,” she recalls.
Give Us Unity, Father
“We can be extremely lucky to live in our country – with our flag and our language, in which we think and speak. But at the same time, it is important to realize that this is not a given. I want to believe in the good. I want to believe that we are strong in our conviction of who we are. I want to believe that our faith in ourselves as a nation is strong enough not to break us, not to easily divide us or divert us from what is truly essential.
May we go through unknown times through the ages,/ Give us strength, give us courage, give us unity, Father!
That’s what Leonīds Breikšs writes in his ‘Prayer.’ And that’s what I wish for all of us.”
And on her birthday, Aija wishes everyone strong health – both physical and mental. And joy. “I wish that for others too – a healthy mind in a healthy body, and joy!”
More articles about celebrants here.
