Folklore group
Kūrava

      Name: Kūrava
          meaning: burning spring
          recommended transcription in English: Kurava
          approximate pronunciation in English: Kuurava
          Listen pronunciation in AU format (11 Kb)

      Created: 1994
      Location: Kuldiga, Kurland
      Leader: Alīda Štromane
      Number of participants: 9, of them by age:
          from 14 to 24 years: 2
          from 25 to 44 years: 5
          from 45 to 64 years: 2
      and by gender:
          males: 3
          females: 6
      Forms of activity: sing, play music, dance
      Musical instruments: drum, kokle (psaltery), accordion.

Symbolism: At the centre of the emblem of Kūrava the fire cross (swastika) is placed. It is a sign of fire, sun and light, which symbolizes rotation of galaxies in Space. The branches of the cross are turned counter-clockwise, symbolizing a man, who comes back, i.e., is restored. Around the cross - a brooch in form of a horseshoe with animal heads. It is a burning snake, symbolizing the duplicity, or ambiguiety, of fire, light and knowledge.

      Description: Already long before 1994 some teachers of Kuldiga school of environment, under the direction of teacher of music Alīda Štromane, had created a folklore group, which collected folk songs and sometimes acted. However, the first serious performance was held only in 1994, when during the Raimonds Pauls Hit Festival the group showed summer solstice rituals to foreign diplomats on the Kuldiga castle mound.
    Gradually arose the idea to create a public organization, which would be engaged not only in gathering and performing of folklore, but also in the spiritual formation of society, particularly the school children. Kūrava offers the collecteded materials, songs, dances to teachers and to folklore groups leaders.
Already seventh year Kūrava is celebrating in Kuldiga and its vicinities the calendar holidays: Winter solstice - Cristmas, Summer solstice - John's day, and others.

      Address:
          in Latvian: Alīda Štromane, Vienības 81, Kuldīga, LV-3300, Latvija
          in English: Alida Stromane, Vienibas 81, Kuldiga, LV-3300, Latvia
      Phone: (+371) 33-23585

      Date of presenting the information: 3 September 1998