In the summer of 2021 Riga will be full with excitement – XII Latvian School Youth Song and Dance Celebration (further – the Celebration) will take place. The largest Latvian Children and Youth Cultural and Art Festival will bring together thousands of singers, dancers and participants from other artistic groups in Latvia and the diaspora.

Latvian School Youth Song and Dance Celebration is the Largest Children and Youth Song and Dance Tradition in Latvia. At the heart of this tradition is the desire of the new generation to express themselves in a variety of artistic ways. It started 23^rd of June in the year 1960 in Riga, when the first celebration were held. The prerequisites for this new Song celebration tradition came from even earlier, when children’s performances were an important part of the Main song celebration in the years 1948, 1950 and 1955. As school choirs and dance groups grew in quality and mass, they created their own celebration for school youth.

In accordance with the Song and Dance Celebration Law, the Latvian School Youth Song and Dance Celebration is held every five years between the General Latvian Song and Dance Celebrations. It is a creative and joyful event for all Latvia, where children and young people sing, dance, make music, creating a holiday for themselves and every visitor.

The total number of participants of the Latvian School Youth Song and Dance Celebration from 1960 to 2015.

On November 7, 2003, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization proclaimed the Song and Dance Celebration Tradition, Symbolism and Uniqueness in Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania as the Masterpiece of the Verbal and Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The Latvian School Youth Song and Dance Celebration has been a part of this heritage for 50 years.

Collective rehearsals and concerts will take place in Riga, in the new Mežaparks Great Stage and its territory, in the 2018 renovated cultural and sports center “Daugava stadium” and other places suitable for the festivities.