OREANDA-NEWS. October 03, 2008. The painting “The world’s biggest choir” was opened, which was created within the collaboration project among Latvian Academy of Arts, UNESCO and Latvijas Krajbanka. The painting contains a message of what the Overall Latvian Song and Dance Celebration means for Latvians, reported the press-centre of Latvijas Krajbanka.

The painting is evidence, depicting the overall Latvian Song and Dance Celebration – the unique cultural value, symbolizing strength and unity of Latvian people. „The world’s biggest choir” was created this year during the Song and Dance Celebration, when painters painted straight during the dress rehearsal, when each author expressed his/her own vision and feelings.

This is how ten students` of the Latvian Academy of Arts, the rector of the Latvian Academy of Arts professor Aleksejs Naumovs` and pro-rector prof. Kristaps Zarins` dedication to one of the greatest Latvian national traditions appeared - 22 meter long painting, uniting personal and individual, and at the same time creating harmonic overview.

The painters from the Latvian Academy of Arts, the initiators of the collaboration project and the idea authors UNESCO, and the financial supporter Latvijas Krajbanka participated the painting opening event, as well as the well-known conductors and other admirers of arts.

The rector of the Latvian Academy of Arts professor Aleksejs Naumovs expressed true gratitude to UNESCO for the unique idea initiating and promoting, and thanked Latvijas Krajbanka for the financial support, which furthered the implementation of such a great and big idea: „We made a good team, which had a wonderful possibility to work together and enjoy the great atmosphere at this years` Song and Dance Celebration!”

The president of Latvijas Krajbanka Martins Bondars noted, that the bank is really gratified for a possibility to participate in such original and unique event, supporting the great idea, new artists, and the tradition of the Song and Dance Celebration.

Every choir has its conductor, and the painting was opened by the head conductor of this years` Cong and Dance Celebration Romans Vanags, accompanied by one of the Song Celebration anthems „Today is a great day for a Song”. 

Up to the October 15th  „The world’s biggest choir” can be seen at Latvijas Krajbanka office, located in Riga, 15 Jana Dalina Street. Afterwards the painting will travel to the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, where on November 27th it will be opened on the exhibition devoted to the anniversary of the Proclamation of Latvia.

This year Latvijas Krajbanka was the Great friend (Lieldraugs) of the XXIV Overall Latvian Song and XIV Dance Celebration, participating in the organization of the Celebration and taking part in the provision of the successful Celebration conduction. The painting „The world’s biggest choir” is one of the projects supported by Krajbanka within the Song and Dance Celebration.