On Sunday, August 23, 2026, the iconic Dzintari Concert Hall in Latvia hosts Dziedošo aktieru salidojums, a landmark concert celebrating legendary screen melodies and songs from classic Latvian cinema, featuring performances by prominent theater and film stars like Mārcis Maņjakovs, Egils Melbārdis, and Zane Dombrovska.
The Bottom Line
- The Event: Dziedošo aktieru salidojums takes place on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at the Dzintari Concert Hall, uniting top Latvian actors for a cinematic sing-along.
- The Repertoire: The setlist honors golden-age Latvian film scores by master composers including Raimonds Pauls, Imants Kalniņš, Zigmars Liepiņš, and Mārtiņš Brauns.
- The Talent: Stage staples such as Mārcis Maņjakovs, Egils Melbārdis, and Zane Dombrovska breathe new life into timeless anthems from iconic productions.
Mapping the Cultural Resonance of Latvian Screen Anthems
Music and film have always shared an inseparable bond. When dialogue falls short, melody steps in to carry the emotional weight of a scene. This weekend, audiences at the Dzintari Concert Hall will experience that synergy firsthand as beloved actors take the stage for Dziedošo aktieru salidojums. According to reporting from TVNET Sejas, the evening features a stellar roster of talent including Egils Melbārdis—who also commands the stage as the evening’s host—alongside Mārcis Maņjakovs, Juris Hiršs, Gundars Silakaktiņš, Lelde Dreimane, Ērika Eglija, Kristians Kareļins, Zane Dombrovska, Aldis Siliņš, and Andris Bērziņš.
Here is the kicker: these aren’t merely nostalgic throwbacks. They are foundational cultural texts. The program spans monumental cinematic touchstones, from Rolanda Kalniņa’s Četri balti krekli (also known as Elpojiet dziļi!) to Gunārs Piesis’s timeless adaptation of Pūt, vējiņi!, alongside enduring favorites like Limuzīns Jāņu nakts krāsā, Ceplis, Sprīdītis, and Ilgais ceļš kāpās. As cultural tastes shift toward fast-content consumption, live theatrical music events offer a rare anchor for communal memory.
Inside the Repertoire and Composer Legacies
The sonic landscape of Latvian cinema owes its depth to a titan’s row of composers. Imants Kalniņš’s peerless catalog is heavily represented, bringing classics like “Viņi dejoja vienu vasaru”, “Četri balti krekli”, “Es esmu bagāts”, and “Alvas zaldātiņi” back into the live spotlight. But the curation doesn’t stop there. Audiences will also hear the final theme from Sprīdītis (“Virs galvas mūžīgs piena ceļš”) and cherished melodies from beloved animated works including Mākonītis un Mākonīte, Zelta sietiņš, and Zaķīšu pirtiņa, with a live instrumental backing group driving the arrangements.
Reflecting on the unique energy of the gathering, Mārcis Maņjakovs notes the deep connection between the performers and the audience. As highlighted in original coverage, Maņjakovs shares, “Atceraties lielisko Ulda Dumpja, mana teātra krusttēva, un Lilitas Ozoliņas Mīlas dziesmu? Koncertā dziedāšu gan Raimonda Paula, gan Zigmara Liepiņa skaņdarbus. Skanēs Mārtiņa Brauna, Imanta Kalniņa, Marģera Zariņa, Ivara Vīgnera, Jāņa Mediņa dziesmas. Tā būs sadziedāšanās ar skatītājiem, jo šīm dziesmām visi zina vārdus. Tās dziedot, mēs ar publiku esam uz viena viļņa.”
| Featured Composer | Iconic Film / Project Associated | Noted Musical Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Imants Kalniņš | Četri balti krekli / Sprīdītis | “Viņi dejoja vienu vasaru”, Fināla dziesma |
| Raimonds Pauls & Zigmars Liepiņš | Latvian Cinema Golden Classics | Mīlas dziesma, Collaborative duets |
| Mārtiņš Brauns | National Theater Retrospectives | Upcoming commemorative concert Tikšanās blūzs |
Bridging Stagecraft and Modern Concert Production
While the silver screen has occasionally intersected with Maņjakovs’s career—notably in acclaimed projects like Likteņa līdumnieki, Sapņu komanda, and Krimināllieta iesācējiem—the actor maintains a rigorous standard. “Mani kino nav ļoti lutinājis, jo es pats esmu izvēlīgs, man ir ļoti svarīgs scenārijs,” Maņjakovs points out, emphasizing a 26-year dedication to theatrical discipline. This season also finds the actor wearing the coveted Kārlis Sebris ring, earned for his portrayal of Aleksandrs Volkevičs in Roberts Dauburs’s staging of Ko var cilvēks.
The momentum within the local theater scene shows no signs of slowing down. Looking ahead, the cultural calendar features further tributes, including a forthcoming special concert at the National Theater titled Tikšanās blūzs, curated by Dita Lūriņa to mark Mārtiņa Brauns’s 75th anniversary.
Whether tackling intimate acoustic numbers backed by piano or pairing up with collaborators like Zane Dombrovska for Zigmara Liepiņš compositions, these artists demonstrate that classic melodies retain an unyielding grip on the public consciousness. Tickets for Sunday’s showcase are currently available via Biļešu paradīze.
What are your absolute favorite melodies from the golden era of Latvian cinema? Drop a comment below and let’s discuss which film scores still pull at your heartstrings.
