From 24 to 25 July 2026, the annual Vītolsvētki festival will take place in Gaujiena – a special cultural event that for more than twenty years has brought together participants and teachers of the “Vītolēni” music camp, choirs from across Latvia, and all lovers of classical music. The festival is closely connected with the memory of the outstanding Latvian composer Jāzeps Vītols and with Gaujiena, the place he called his summer paradise.

“Gaujiena was Jāzeps Vītols’s paradise. The people of Gaujiena live in such a paradise all year round, but it is especially in the second half of July that everyone who loves nature, music and art is invited to visit Gaujiena. The ‘Vītolēni’ creative music camp has been held here since 2003 and is closely connected with the Vītolsvētki festival, the anniversary of Jāzeps Vītols and Gaujiena,” says Ilze Dāve, the camp director and organiser of Vītolsvētki.

Vītolsvētki will begin on 24 July at 9:00 p.m. with the traditional Night Concert on the terraces of “Anniņas”. In a calm and heartfelt atmosphere, teachers from the “Vītolēni” music camp and ensembles of various line-ups will perform, inviting the audience to enjoy a summer evening and outstanding music surrounded by nature.

On 25 July, the Vītolsvētki programme will continue throughout the day. From 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., a market featuring local food producers and craftspeople will take place at “Anniņas”, offering visitors the chance to purchase locally made handicrafts and homemade delicacies, as well as enjoy the festive atmosphere beyond the concerts.

At 12:00 noon, the performance “Meeting Jāzeps Vītols” will offer audiences a closer insight into the composer’s personality and his connection with Gaujiena. At 2:00 p.m., a chamber music concert featuring “Vītolēni” ensembles and soloists will take place, giving listeners an opportunity to appreciate the achievements of the music camp and the talent of its young musicians. At 6:00 p.m., the main Vītolsvētki concert will begin on the grand terraces of “Anniņas”, traditionally marking the highlight of the festival. Latvian amateur choirs and participants of the “Vītolēni” music camp will perform together, presenting treasured classics from the Latvian choral repertoire.

The concert will feature works by Jāzeps Vītols, Emīls Dārziņš, Emīls Melngailis, Alfrēds Kalniņš, Pēteris Barisons, Imants Kalniņš, Mārtiņš Brauns, Raimonds Pauls, Raimonds Tiguls, Ēriks Ešenvalds, Jēkabs Jančevskis, Jānis Lūsēns, Uldis Marhilevičs and other composers. The audience will also hear beloved songs such as “Saule, Pērkons, Daugava”, “Manai dzimtenei”, “Gaismas pils”, “Pūt, vējiņi” and other gems of Latvian choral music.

Over the years, Vītolsvētki has become one of the most important summer cultural events in Gaujiena and throughout Smiltene Municipality, bringing together music, nature and people. Alongside high-quality musical performances, the festival places special emphasis on togetherness, emerging talent and honouring the musical legacy of Jāzeps Vītols. This year, the festive atmosphere will be further enriched by a market featuring local food producers and craftspeople, allowing visitors not only to enjoy outstanding music but also to discover the work of local artisans and producers.

 

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Written by: Zane Ērgle-Mežule, Communications Specialist at the Communications Department of Smiltene Municipality