#FKUpīte

Folklore Group “Upīte” (Latvia)

About the Group

Founded in 1980 in Northern Latgale by Ontons Slišāns—the most prominent folklorist and local historian of the region—Folklore Group “Upīte” currently continues his legacy under the leadership of his son, Andris Slišāns. FKUpīte is a dynamic and evolving cultural force: deeply rooted in authentic regional traditions, multi-part vocal styles, and traditional instruments played by professional musicians who have studied ethnomusicology, while actively driving modern music creation and cultural revitalization.

Heritage, Repertoire & Artistry

·        Authentic Heritage & Visual Storytelling: The group's repertoire is rooted in the rich traditions of Northern Latgale, featuring traditional songs, dances, games, and modern folklore. Performances feature ethnographic folk costumes native to the region, with a special emphasis on the striking and historic Abrene white costumes. Beyond live shows, FKUpīte creates high-impact music videos and digital content to bring rural Latgalian culture and language into modern media spaces.

·        Vocal & Instrumental Traditions: FKUpīte performs complex polyphonic arrangements and traditional multi-part vocal styles, both a cappella and with live instrumental accompaniment on traditional Latvian instruments.

·        Contemporary Arrangements & New Creation: Authentic folk roots are transformed into fresh, modern arrangements and original works that connect with today's world and indie-folk audiences.

·        Dance & Engagement: Specializing in authentic couple dances, quadrilles, and round dances, FKUpīte leads interactive Latvian dance workshops, inviting international audiences to join in the movement.

Stage Performance & Global Presence

FKUpīte is one of Latvia’s leading traditional music ambassadors and regular performers at major national festivals. The group is also the founder and organizer of the international folklore festival “Lipa kust”.

Since 2016, FKUpīte has toured extensively across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America, performing in:

Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, France, Italy (including Sardinia), Turkey, Romania, Portugal, Kosovo, Georgia, Egypt, South Korea, and Costa Rica.

Lineup & Format

Highly adaptable for international festivals and showcase events (from intimate acoustic acts to full-scale stage productions).

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