The New Dance Season Kicks Off in Full Swing

Four new dancer recruitment rounds, two performances, a change of repetiteur, and the launch of our new dance group Ačkups studija - this is how powerfully Ačkups has started its 74th season!

Of course, the list would not be complete without mentioning a couple of new shelves for our costume storage, because, as always, organizing the costume collection is the traditional warm-up activity for every new season.

But let’s take it one step at a time. This year, we started the season early and with great energy, already looking ahead to the 2026 Youth Dance Festival in Liepāja and the celebrations of our semi-centennial anniversary. To strengthen our ranks after the summer break, we tested and challenged aspiring new dancers during four recruitment rounds, and now a large group of energetic and passionate young people are sweating through rehearsals with us and becoming part of the ensemble.

Already in August, we polished our shoes and boots in preparation for taking part in the official matriculation ceremony of Rīga Stradiņš University. Not only did we perform a dance there, but we also invited first-year students to join us in the cheerful "Pankūkdancis" (Pancake Dance), helping them forget the nerves of their first day and feel a sense of belonging to our university community.

Two weeks later, we were back on stage again - this time celebrating the 75th anniversary of Rīga Stradiņš University. In the Kokaru Hall of the Mežaparks Grand Bandstand, we created a festive atmosphere together with VPDK "Ačkups" and the mixed choir "Rīga".

As the finale of the concert, accompanied by live music, we performed Rita Spalva’s choreography "Lec, saulīte", which returned to our repertoire last season.

After the concert, we continued the celebrations together with the entire university family. We enjoyed musical performances, culinary surprises, sang along to the songs of Intars Busulis and Abonementa orķestris from the front row, and, of course, tasted the festive cake as well.

We are especially grateful to RSU Rector Prof. Aigars Pētersons for a year of support and inspiration, and we wish our Rīga Stradiņš University a long and prosperous future!

On one of the Sundays in September, which surprised us with unexpectedly summery weather, we took our most colourful costumes from storage and headed to some of the most beautiful locations in Pārdaugava.

The lens of a professional photographer sought to capture the true spirit of Ačkups - the balance between our composed and our playful sides. These photographs will soon come to life on our social media platforms.

This season has also brought significant changes to our leadership team. After many years of dedicated work, our rehearsal director Sanita Misika has taken on new challenges.

Her discipline and high standards during classical dance classes have not only strengthened us and refined our technique but have also shaped Ačkups’ strong posture, character, and determination.

We wish her endless creative ideas, strength, and success in all her new life adventures!

At the same time, while expressing our heartfelt gratitude for all the work she has done, we look towards the future and are delighted to welcome our new rehearsal director/repetiteur, Līga Indriksone, to the ensemble!

From the IT industry to Latvian stage folk dance - Līga brings together a truly diverse range of experiences. She is creative, energetic, and guided by a strong work ethic - careful and demanding during rehearsals.

We are confident that Līga’s energy, bold ideas, and creative spirit will bring fresh inspiration to the ensemble and motivate us to achieve new accomplishments.

But these are certainly not the only new developments. This year, we have also established a new dance group Ačkups Studija for pupils, led by D group (alumni) Ačkups director Kaspars Brauns.

It feels as though the circle of Ačkups’ community is now complete - the "studija", the ensemble, and the alumni dance group create a continuous movement where, across generations, the values, dance style, traditions, and spirit of Ačkups will be passed on and preserved.

Just around the corner is 22nd October, when we will take the stage at VEF Culture Palace together with well-known Latvian singers to honour the outstanding Latvian poet Jānis Peters in the concert "Dzejnieka sirdsvārdi".

Jānis Peters is the author of the lyrics to many beloved Latvian songs, and to one of them - the song "Manai dzimtenei" - we will dance the flow of the Daugava and the unwavering spirit of our people.

We have thrown ourselves into this season with great energy and determination, as there are many exciting challenges ahead. There is a saying among dancers: the way you begin your dance season is the way you will carry it through!

See you at the concerts!

Photos from RSU 75 year anniversary celebrations: RSU