"Children of happiness. Kokariem - 100 ”

Publicēts: 14.09.2021

To celebrate the centenary of the legendary choir conductors Imants and Gido Kokari, the contemporaries of the Kokari brothers were identified during the summer months. A summary of the interviews and materials collected can be seen in the traveling exhibition “Children of Happiness. Kokari - 100 ”, as well as on the home page of Gulbene County Library in the section County. Young people from the region are involved and working in the project, who are making video short films reflecting their vision of the life and work of Imants and Gido Kokars.
Imants Kokars students, conductors Rota Salmiņa and Aira Birziņa will visit the library and share memories of the Kokari brothers.
Rota Salmiņa is one of the first I. Kokars students at the J.Vītols Latvian State Conservatory (1960-1966). Gulbene Rotu is associated with seven years spent here, when in parallel she studied at the Gulbene Children's Music School (1960-1967), led the vocal ensemble of the House of Culture, the senior choir, and the mixed choir of the House of Culture. Further life took Rotu Salmiņš to Rēzekne, where she has been working as a conducting teacher at J.Ivanova Rēzekne Music High School since 1967. Rota Salmiņa's name as a conductor is associated with the choirs "Sadarba", "Ezerzeme" and "Trejkola". She has participated with the choirs in the General Song Festival, Latgale Region Song Festival, festivals, choir shows both in Latvia and abroad. Participated in the 1990 Latgale Song Festival in Daugavpils as chief conductor.
Aira Birziņa studied at Lubāna Secondary School and Madona Children's Music School. After studying in the choral conducting class of J. Mediņš Riga Music High School, Aira J.Vītols obtained a bachelor's degree in the class of Edgars Račevskis and Ivars Bērziņš (1992) and a master's degree in the class of Imants Kokars (1995). Aira Birziņa is a professor of choir conducting at the J.Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, conductor at the Riga Dome Girls' Choir “Tiara”, VEF Culture Palace Women's Choir “Dzintars” and Ogre Culture Center Women's Choir “Rasa”. Chief conductor of the General Latvian Song Festival, expert of the Latvian Choir Industry Council. He regularly conducts master classes and courses, gives lectures, seminars and conferences, participates in the work of the jury of various competitions in Latvia and abroad.

The meeting will take place in the Gulbene County Library, Adult Services Department, 2nd floor, where the exhibition “Children of Happiness. For cooks - 100 ”.

The measure is intended for vaccinated or Covid-19 infected persons. Please bring supporting documents, including an identity document.

Apply by September 21, by writing to inese.kaleja@gulbenesbiblioteka.lv or by calling 64471460. Please indicate the participant's name, surname and telephone number.

Project “Children of Happiness. Kokari - 100 ”has received support in the cultural project competition announced by the Vidzeme Planning Region“ Vidzeme Culture Program 2021 supported by the Latvian State Forests and the State Cultural Capital Fund ”.