Riga, Latvia – Preparations for the 2026 “Manai Dzimtenei” (My Fatherland) festival, a major event in Latvian choral music, are facing disruption as leading conductors have withdrawn over a dispute with composer Raimonds Pauls. The disagreement centers on the use of Pauls’ name and likeness in promoting the festival, scheduled to coincide with his 90th birthday and a significant milestone for Latvia’s song and dance tradition – recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The situation highlights the complexities of artist recognition and creative control within large-scale cultural productions, possibly impacting both funding and participation in the event.
Conductors Withdraw From Holiday Festival Amid Dispute with Latvian Composer
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Leading choral conductors have stepped back from preparations for the upcoming “Manai Dzimtenei” (My Fatherland) festival, following a public dispute between composer Raimonds Pauls and the event’s organizers. The decision underscores the challenges facing large-scale cultural events when creative control and artist recognition are at stake.
The Roots of the Conflict
The controversy began when Pauls publicly stated he had not given permission for the use of his name and image in connection with the project, and subsequently sought legal counsel to address the situation. Representatives for the maestro indicated his name had been used in a misleading way, creating the impression of active involvement. While organizers claim Pauls had previously raised no objections to the concert concept and licenses were secured for arrangements of his work, the situation has undeniably impacted festival preparations. According to reports, conductors Māris Sirmais and Raimonds Tiguls have also called on municipalities and the Ministry of Culture to review their participation and funding for the event.
Conductors’ Position and Appeal
In a statement, representatives for the choral conductors emphasized that continuing preparations under the current circumstances is no longer feasible. They expressed regret over the situation and its negative impact on the upcoming festival. Despite withdrawing their participation in the preparation process, the conductors respect the singers’ desire to perform and encourage the program’s creators to include Raimonds Pauls’ choral works in honor of the composer’s 90th birthday. They also appealed to the Cabinet of Ministers, the Ministry of Culture, and the Riga City Council to find solutions to ensure the continuity of the Song Festival process and choral activities.
Event’s Future and Name Change
Despite the conductors’ withdrawal, organizers have decided to change the festival’s name, removing the composer’s name from the title. The event was originally planned as “Raimonds Pauls’ Song Festival ‘Manai Dzimtenei’”. The planned concert date is July 11, 2026, at Mežaparks’ “Sidraba birzī” (Silver Grove), with an expected attendance of over 13,000 singers from Latvia and the diaspora. Organizers stress that the event’s content, concept, and artistic vision remain unchanged, despite the name change and challenges in the preparation process.
