Presidency opened with a concert at the Latvian National Opera

On Thursday, 8 January, a splendid and expressive musical performance at the Latvian National Opera House marked the official opening of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. It noted the symbolic start of the challenging six months ahead of us when Latvia will steer the EU ship for the first time. The concert featured some of the brightest Latvian artists distinguished in the world of music performing different musical pieces to an audience from all around Europe.

The President of the Republic of Latvia, Andris Bērziņš, the President of the European Council, Donal Tusk, the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker i and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia, Laimdota Straujuma i, addressed the guests at the Opening event.

The Latvian National Symphony Orchestra (LNSO), State Choir Latvija, cellist Ēriks Kiršfelds and pianist Reinis Zariņš came to the stage to give their performances. The concert started with rejoicing of shepherds - an ancient Latvian scene for the audience was conjured up by Ēriks Ešenvalds and his new piece After the Storm which was composed especially for this event. It was followed by the Cello Concerto by Pēteris Vasks creating an atmosphere that reminisced on the threats to the newly declared independence of the Baltic States back in 1991. As the last piece performed in the concert was Ludwig van Beethoven's Choral Fantasia which includes a sequence of variations on the magnificent melody of the anthem of the European Union Ode to Joy. The conductor of the concert was the Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the LNSO, Andris Poga.