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The story about the history of Latvia and Turaida is
enriched by spoken stories inherited by people over
the course of the centuries. These tales shed light on
the nature of the Latvian people and offer a poetic de-
scription of people’s attitudes toward various events.
Folk Song Park, with Folk Song Hill and Folk Song Garden,
speak to the intangible cultural heritage and the value
system that is based on traditional thinking about life in
Turaida. The park feature 26 sculptures by Indulis Ranka.
This is a place where anyone can learn about the secrets of
the vitality of the Latvian people, learn about the meanings
and wisdom of Latvian folk songs, feel the beauty of nature,
and find new energy for themselves.
Establishment of Folk Song Hill and
Folk Song Garden
The establishment of Folk Song Hill and Folk Song Garden
was a project which was exciting and full of enthusiasm,
love and worries. The project was organised by the sculptor
Indulis Ranka. The author of the idea and the head of the
working group was Anna Jurkāne, and she was assisted
by the architects Jānis Rozentāls and Ilgvars Batrags, the
landscape designers Aivars Irbe and Ruta Brice, as well
as hundreds of people from all over Latvia. Folk Song
Hill was not commissioned by the Soviet Latvian govern-
ment. The idea was enshrined in a “special agreement”
which was signed on October 21, 1980, and was based
on correspondence between Ranka and Jurkāne, who
was the director of the Sigulda Local History Museum.
Countless hours were spent in thinking about and work-
ing on the establishment of Folk Song Hill and Folk Song
Garden. It was decided to install sculptures and to create
a lovely landscape and garden at the site. Folk Song Hill
was established with deep piety toward the surrounding
environment. The ensemble of sculptures was intuitive,
making sure that the sculptures were in full harmony
with the living environment in which they are found.
Turaida is full of songs about work, nature and the father-
land, and it has gradually become a special place at which
folk songs can be used to express yearnings for freedom.
As the Third Latvian Renaissance approached in the mid-
1980s, Folk Song Hill was the place where the Latvian Sing-
ing Revolution emerged and continued until the restoration
of Latvia’s independence in 1991. Today Folk Song Hill is
a symbol for the Singing Revolution, sending an eternal
message about the strength of song and the self-respect of
the Latvian people.
The sculptor Indulis Ranka
Anna Jurkāne, originator of Folk Song Hill and director of the
Turaida Museum Reserve
Installation of the “Father of song” sculpture on
Folk Song Hill, 1985
FOLK SONG PARK – FOLK SONG HILL AND FOLK SONG GARDEN