In Latvia, the rich wedding traditions of the Suiti community were demonstrated for the wider audience in the Latvian film “Dzimtene sauc. Kāzas Alsungā” (Motherland calling. Wedding in Alsunga) (1935). The director of the film was Aleksandrs Rusteiķis. The leading roles of the bride and groom were played by Milda Zīlava and Kārlis Pabriks, professional actors. The supporting roles were played by the local Suiti residents. As an example and informative material for the next generations, the film has remained relevant up to nowadays.

A theatrical staging of the Suiti wedding customs was produced and demonstrated in the 1970’s, with Suiti amateur collectives from Alsunga and Gudenieki – the show was called “Senās suitu kāzas” (The ancient Suiti weddings) – directed by Andrejs Migla. 70. The show was demonstrated more than 50 times in various Latvian towns, including several shows in Riga, Latvian National Theatre. The co-production by the director and the Suiti community made a solid impact on the Latvian culture, since by that time many other Latvian regions had lost their ancient wedding traditions entirely.

“Etniskās kultūras centrs “Suiti”” association was happy to offer the Suiti wedding show as a gift to Latvia in its one hundred years anniversary.

Under the direction of Juris Jonelis, more than 50 local participants were involved; including the six Suiti collectives specialized in singing, music-making and dancing: “Suitu sievas”, “Gudenieku suiti”, “Maģie suiti”, “Suitu dūdenieki”, “Suitu vīri” and “Suiti” (dance company of the middle generation). In form of singing, making music and dancing, the Suiti show off their spectacular customs, from dressing up the bride and groom to mičošana ritual.

The show “Suitu kāzas” (The Suiti Wedding) was premiered at the summer solstice on June 23, 2018 on Zieduleja outdoor stage in Alsunga. After, on July 7th, 2018, it was played also in the Kurzeme Peasent’s Homestead of the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia, when the Day of Folklore “Taisiet, tautas, augstas durvis!” (People, make high door!) was celebrated as a part of the XXVI Nationwide Latvian Song and XVI Dance Celebration.

The show was funded by the State Culture Capital Foundation, Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia and the municipalities of Alsunga, Kuldīga and Ventspils.

These photographs were taken during the rehearsals and the gala following the premier on June 23, at the Zieduleja stage.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

The actors of the previous staging version were invited to the gala. Several of them did come. A special welcome and celebration were offered to the bride and groom from the previous show “Suitu kāzas” – Daina Mūrniece and Jānis Mūrnieks.