WHAT IS AČKUPS?
The Latvian Medical Academy student group AČKUPS, named after an ancient Latvian folk dance, was founded in 1951. In 1975, the group was awarded the title of Folk Dance Ensemble, which is a confirmation of the dance group's convincing dancing skills. For many years, the group was led by Juris Bērziņš (1941-1995).
AČKUPS is a student group in which both future doctors and students from other universities dance.
Being at the forefront of folk dance, the dance ensembles of group A dance the noblest and most complex Latvian dances, as well as, collaborating with choreographers and dance masters, participate in the development and improvement of folk dance.
For almost thirty years - from 1967 to 1995 - the leader and soul of TDA "Ačkups" was Juris Bērziņš.
Since 1995, the dance collective has been led by Elita Treilone, later our concertmaster Sarmīte Plaude joined. Our repetiteurs: 2009-2025 Sanita Misika; 2025 - now Līga Indriksone. While working on improving the repertoire, developing the dance manner, successful cooperation and friendship have been established with choreographer Madars Freibergs, choreographer Edgars Tabors and Sports dance teacher Egils Šmagris and many more.
“Ačkups” unites enthusiastic young people who love Latvian folk dance, despite the fact that everyday life is associated with very intensive studies, they find time to regularly attend rehearsals, accept challenges and hone their skills by dancing various styles of dances and performances. Taking into account the fact that “Ačkups” is a student dance group, an integral part of it is participation in the Baltic States Student Song and Dance Festival “Gaudeamus”, as well as in the academic balls of Riga Stradins University.
Since the founding of the group, “Ačkups” has participated in all Latvian Song and Dance Festivals. Concerts are given every month and “Ačkups” participates in dance group national competitions with great success. We are especially proud of the 3rd place won in the final competition show of the laureates of the 2013 “XXV General Latvian Song and XV Dance Festival” dance groups.
Generations of students replace each other, but the ensemble remains forever young, energetic and in a way unique. "Ačkups" has shown the luxurious and tradition-rich Latvian cultural heritage – dance – by participating in concerts both near and far – in Latvia, Spain, Italy, France, Switzerland, Denmark, Belgium, Georgia and other countries.
"Dance in a way that moves not only the body, but also the soul"
