When Ai from Japan chose Latvia as her exchange destination, she had no idea how deeply this experience would move her. Having sung in a choir back in Japan, she dreamed of the chance to be part of a festival that, in Latvia, is much more than just a concert – it is a celebration of identity, history, and togetherness.
Why did you chose Latvia?
I choose this country, because I’m interested in the similarities between Latvian mythology and Japanese mythology. Also, I belonged to choir in my Japanese school, and I watched some video of song and dance festival on YouTube.
I love Riga so much! It’s a capital city, but you can see green trees and grassfield even in the city center. All architectures are super beautiful and romantic, I was so surprised even if fast food restaurants were in those really historical buildings.
Unlike in Japan, the sunlight here is so gentle. I loved walking through Riga while the sky was still bright on summer afternoons, enjoying cool air. In winter, I was enchanted by the fairytale-like scenery, with Art Nouveau buildings covered in white. It was a bit too cold for me, though.
What are the things you like the most about Latvia?
My favorite part of Latvia is always events !
In Japan, we have a lot of national holidays, but we rarely celebrate them. In contrast, in Latvia, everyone celebrates national holidays in really traditional way. I firmly respect the attitude of people loving this country, and trying to inherit those cultures to upcoming generations.
Kā tu atklāji kori un kā tu juties, piedaloties Skolēnu Dziesmu un Deju svētkos?
Tas bija jaudīgi, brīnumaini skaisti un jautri. Es biju braukusi uz Latviju ar mērķi piedalīties šajos grandiozajos svētkos. Man īpaši patīk dziesma “Gaismas pils”.
Domājot par to, kā Latvija tapa — kā tā tika veidota caur tautas asinīm, apņēmību un cerībām visa vēstures gaitā — nav brīnums, ka latviešiem ir tik dziļa aizrautība ar Dziesmu svētkiem.Esmu ļoti lepna, ka varēju tajos piedalīties un kļūt par mazu daļiņu no šīs vēstures.
What is your favourite memory with your host family?
My host family always means to me that I have a place to come back whatever happens to me. They kindly answered all of my questions, no matter how stupid questions are. I experienced almost all of the traditional events together with them. One of my favorite memories is when we went to Jūrkalne for līgo. We picked flowers in a wide meadow, made flower crowns and took pictures, and watched the setting sun together from the seaside! It was one of the most beautiful days of my whole entire life.
What have you learned thanks to this year in Latvia?
I learned to believe in myself. Before this exchange, it was hard for me to be confident, I’m afraid of making mistakes, even if they are just small and trivial. However here in Latvia, so many times I had to get out from my comfortable zone and try something new and unfamiliar. Always in the beginning it seemed difficult, but once you try and do your best to reach goals, there’s nothing that you can’t achieve.
What has surprised you the most in Latvia?
Latvians put sour cream on all sorts of food—even at McDonald’s, they sell sour cream, which was unthinkable to me coming from Japan. At first, I was really surprised, but now I honestly can’t live without it.
And when it comes to sour cream, there are so many different kinds! Every time I go to the supermarket, I find myself struggling to decide which one to buy.
How did you discover choir? How do you feel while singing on song and dance festival?
It was so intense and amazingly beautiful and fun. I almost came to this exchange in order to participate this grandiose festival. I especially love the song “Gaismas pils”.
Thinking about how Latvia came to be how it was built through the blood, determination, and hopes of its people over the course of history. No surprise that Latvian’s passion for the Song Festival runs so deep. I am so proud of taking part in it this time and becoming a small part of that history.
