Do you remember the pleasant excitement of a completely clean, white sheet of paper? It is an opportunity to create something new, unprecedented and lasting. On 12 and 13 June this year, Rauna will be filled with creativity, music and the joy of coming together as the annual “Rodam Raunā” festival returns. This summer’s festival theme is “Paper”, with the motto “Black on White”.

In today’s fast-paced digital age, we often forget how important and magical an ordinary sheet of paper can be in our lives. The festival organisers invite everyone to pause, reflect and listen:

“Paper is surprisingly diverse — its texture, colours and uses are endlessly varied, and in truth, we could not do without it in any area of life. Just think — the notes of the greatest music are written on paper before they later become unforgettable melodies. The most beautiful song lyrics also first come to life on a sheet of paper, transforming the author’s quiet emotions into a shared experience felt aloud. On paper, both adults and children can play creatively, dream and draw. It is the place where ideas begin.”

This year’s programme has been carefully designed so that every moment resonates with this blank, creative sheet of paper — a sheet that, over the course of two days, we will fill together with unforgettable memories. Are you ready to discover what awaits you?

We will experience the opening of the festival on 12 June at 20.00 in a truly magical and colourful place — the Collection Garden in Rauna.
Surrounded by the scents of summer, Zigfrīds Muktupāvels’ MONO CONCERT will fill the evening air. In a solo performance, the artist will create a true symphony of music and poetry, accompanied by the violin, guitar and piano. The programme will feature melodies by Jānis Lūsēns, Raimonds Pauls, Zigmārs Liepiņš, Imants Kalniņš and Zigfrīds Muktupāvels himself — songs that have become beloved over the years. They will intertwine with the words of Austra Skujiņa, Māra Zālīte, Jānis Peters and Guntars Račs. This will be an opportunity to experience how poetry, once written on paper, transforms beneath the open sky into living, resonant emotions.

Saturday, 13 June: Creativity, Market Buzz and a Concert in the Castle Ruins

From 9.00, we will begin Saturday morning with the traditional market at Rauna Stadium. Here, visitors will be able to take their time enjoying, tasting and purchasing the finest products made by local home producers and craftspeople.

From 10.00, Rauna will come alive with creative energy, with paper taking centre stage as both the main theme and the material of the day:

• Children’s creative workshops “RADI”: A variety of exciting activities for children and adults alike, where paper will be transformed into works of art. There will also be a unique opportunity to make colourful paper kites with your own hands and let them fly in the wind!
• “Aprītīgs spēlēt-prieks”: A creative workshop where visitors will be able to discover how to make exciting board games themselves from materials available at home — and then play them with enthusiasm right on the spot.
  Meeting with graphologist Iveta Rozentāle: Did you know that your handwriting on paper reveals your true character? You will have the opportunity to listen to an informative presentation, delve into the secrets of handwriting, and take part in individual, personal conversations with the expert.

At 14.00, the central musical event of the festival will take place at the Rauna Castle Ruins open-air stage — a colourful concert of cinema and theatre music, “Viss nāk un aiziet tālumā, un sākas viss no gala…”. Legendary, sentimental and energetic melodies will be performed in fresh new arrangements by the outstanding artists Karīna Tatarinova, Egīls Melnbārdis and Atis Auzāns. An unforgettable musical accompaniment will be provided by Jānis Miltiņš on keyboards and Ivars Kalniņš on percussion.

What would a summer festival be without dancing beneath a star-filled sky? On Saturday evening, we will bring the celebrations to a joyful close at the Rauna Castle Ruins open-air stage with a lively open-air dance party featuring the band “Roja”.

Praktiska informācija:

Tickets are available in advance at www.bilesuparadize.lv and will also be available for purchase on site at the event venues one hour before the concerts begin.
Feel Rauna’s special charm, find inspiration and enjoy an unforgettable weekend together with your loved ones. See you in Rauna, where together we will write this summer’s most beautiful story — black on white!

 

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Written by: Linda Vecgaile, Head of the Rauna Parish Cultural Centre