Im.Ka. Music Festival “Imantdienas”

On July 5th at 8:00 PM in Cēsis, at the Castle Park Open-Air Stage, the music festival “Imantdienas”, which has become a cultural and historical tradition, will take place, bringing together many well-known performers of Imants Kalniņš's music. It should be noted that in 2026 “Imantdienas” will celebrate its 50th anniversary.

This year's concert will be presented in three parts. First to take the stage will be the legendary band “Turaidas Roze”, which this year celebrates its 40th anniversary, offering listeners their golden repertoire: songs like “Festival Day”; “Mother, Don't Let the Children Go into the Forest” and others.

In the second part of the concert, the musical ensemble “Raxtu Raxti” will perform. Their musical journey began by seeking folk music motifs in the compositions created by ImKa (composer Imants Kalniņš) and interpreting them with modern instrumentation, which has gained audience acclaim. The concert will feature songs like “Rakstu Raksti”, “My New Song is Hot” and many others.

In the final part of the concert, the popular band “Autobuss debesīs” will take the stage, also continuing to celebrate their 25th anniversary. A traditional sing-along with the audience will also be an indispensable part of the concert, underscoring the importance of Latvian music and communal singing in every Latvian's life.

The band's vocalist Marts Kristiāns Kalniņš says about “Imantdienas”: “Since early childhood, these have been eagerly awaited festivals for me – one of the biggest musical events of the year. Undoubtedly, being in music, meeting with audiences, musicians, and singing together has influenced me throughout my life. Here, I have developed as a person, improved, and gained experience. Of course, I feel responsible for this tradition – so that it lives on, resonates near and far, and so that my children, too, in this hurried and complex world, can experience, feel, and sing their song.”

The tradition of Imantdienas began in 1976, which, thanks to Imants Kalniņš's music, became an annual event in Latvia's cultural life. The bands “Menuets”, “Turaidas Roze”, later also “Autobuss debesīs”, “Raxtu Raxti” and well-known solo artists in Latvia contributed to the promotion of Imantdienas and Imants Kalniņš's music, strengthening the sense of Latvian belonging and identity.