As an American living in Latvia, I was unaware of Kapusvētki. We were trying to get to a Purva taka and had to drive through a kapi. Not knowing it was kapusvētki we got stuck in the middle of a forest ( kapi ) in a traffic jam for hours. Never thought I would get out.
Each time i learn something new about Latvia, i get more excited to live there in the new future. I would love to gather in a graveyard and honor the deceased! I find it very wholesome and if i were to be buried in Latvia, i would want to have my loved ones visit so i can see them having a wonderful time. thank you for the video, i can hardly wait to learn more about my future home!
Growing up with Latvian immigrant parents there was always a cemetery “ cleaning” up . Now that most of the people that immigrated have died it’s still being done by my relatives who live close by. They are my generation. I would love to learn more so that they, or I, can continue this tradition.
Thank you for your comment! It always warms my heart to hear about Latvian traditions being nurtured by children of expats :)) it is amazing and wonderful! :)
I was once told by a local Latvian etiquette expert, that the odd/even number of flowers rule only applies till the count of 9. If there are 10 or more flowers in the bouquet, it doesn't matter if you are giving them to your girlfriend or leaving them at the gravesite. Great content, hated going to this "festival" as a kid. Then there is this dumb superstition - don't bring stuff (sticks, stones, pinecones, etc.) from the graveyard to your home or death will follow. Since kids love to collect this kind of stuff, I was repeatedly told to empty my pockets before leaving the cemetery. Oh and the gardening supplies - rakes, shovels, buckets, etc. You name it, Latvians have it in their cemetery. And if you forgot to bring something to tidy up before the great celebration, you can always borrow from your dead neighbors. It's funny to reflect on all of this, but it is 100% true :D
Omg! Spot on! I forgot about the gardening supplies but you’re totally right! I always knew behind which bench there was a rake and behind which there was a... umm.. how it’s called.. kaplis 😅 I’m saving this comment for future reference :)
Congrats to latvians for succeeding to prove that scary tales are wrong and not scary by making a whole new kind of tales .. I really admire how you see death 👉👍 Good Job Germane 👌
Thank you for your Lovely comment! It is exactly the feeling that I get the more I learn about Latvian folklore and mentality! :) glad to know it resonates with others :)
I had a party for my relatives after kapu svetkus at the cemetary.Some folks crashed the party.It is a nice time to remember the folks we lost.It's a bittersweet reunion.
Actually Latvian "Kapu svētki" is some relict from pagan cult of ancestors. This ancient cult are been changed and readjusted among the centuries but survive. The spirits of Latvian ancestors occasionally visit and supervise the next generation's. Still in middle of nineteenth century for ancestral souls (veļi in Latvian) in the autumn a special feast table was set up in the barn. As already described in video, it has survived today as a tradition of careful grave care and as an event twice a year, once in the summer when organized by a local congregation with the worship and for the second time a candlelight evening in the fall as substitution of previous ancestral souls feasting.
Thanks for your comment! I’m planning on doing a video (or two) about vełu laiks and svecisu vakars. I’m saving your comment for future reference :))))
I agree! This one is especially tricky because now in the comments on Facebook NOBODY AGREES on how to celebrate or even how to translate this event. Latvians are such a mixed bunch .. :) it’s amazing
We're hoping to dedicate the restored tombstone for our artist/ancestor next year in Lielie kapi Riga (if and when Americans are allowed to travel to Latvia) and now we have a better idea of the traditions! Thanks for posting this.
Hello Dave! Thanks for your comment, Its always such a boost of energy to read such positive things :)) Actually my hair has not become lighter, it’s just the sun that’s playing tricks on me at 6am hahaha :)))
@@irregularLatvian Ironically I came across this news article regarding the way Indonesia remember their dead, click the link if you dare but it is not for the faint-hearted... www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3553844/Day-dead-Indonesian-community-honour-long-departed-relatives-digging-dressing-modern-fashions-taking-celebrate.html www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2017/oct/13/cleaning-the-dead-the-afterlife-rituals-of-the-torajan-people
Last year in Aug I was there but didn't know about this festival. but it's wired like The Ma’Nene Festival in Indonesia. But how do you celebrate it ? if you can record a video explaining it. would be fine...!! Père Lachaise, France & Highgate Cemetery, England both in my bucket list !!...
Well, you clean the grave, then you listen to the priest, sing a song maybe (it changes from parish to parish), then you talk with your friend and neighbors inquiring about their lives. And then you celebrate the informal part according to your idea of a good party :)
How about lasers & fireworks? Are they allowed, or depending on the parish? Or just bad taste/manner? Btw, you really should get in depth with the topic of death. At least, six-feet deep 😎
Well, I can't say I ever went near a cemetary in Riga when I was a child (we left Riga when I was 9 years old) as it was not thought proper at that time, 1939, for children to be taken to cemeteries. And Riga was a completely different place with very few influences from Europe or America, although everyone of course did go to see American films, especially the comedies of Laurel and Hardy. Pre second world war Riga ... and the summer resort of Meluzhi where my grandparents had a datcha ... was heaven. It was at that time that special bathing hours were in force, and for a reason. From 8:00 AM-10:00 AM only men were allowed on the beach, and in the nude. A policeman patrolled to make sure the proprieties were followed. At 10:00 AM he blew his whistle and the men donned clothing and left the beach. This is when the women arrived with their children, all disrobed and enjoyed the beach, naked, for two hours until noon when the policeman blew his whistle and everyone got dressed and went to their datcha to have lunch and a nice, long nap.
I am atheist, I've been going to only clean up the graveyards for about 10 years now. I categorically refuse to go to kapusvētki because my family always flocks to where the priest is and I'm simply just not interested, but doing anything alone in the party is boring. Last time I went to the party I was very little (hence why I found it boring) and I distinctly remember doing anything else, like prancing around (not running because that's rude) or trying to find the edge of the graveyard. My family went to kapusvētki just for the priest, i don't remember a single instance of having a feast/actual party afterwards. I know, boring. It might've played some role in why I am atheist now, but probably not. I've always found religion to be boring and useless, I dont remember ever enjoying it in the first place so.
Interesting take on religion/kapusvetki! I guess for me religion always took the back seat to some kind of golden thread of ancient Latvian traditions that goes through centuries. Or at least I like to look at it that way :)
The priest is never obtrusive and will not hunt you down to convert to religion, he is at the venue 30-40 minutes max usually. You can always quietly linger at the back if religion is not your thing. As author says- kapusvētki is all about socialising and catching up with neighbours/ relatives rather than about religion
@@rolandsv8 well my family always tries to sit close to the priest, they're just very religious in that sense, and I'd literally be anywhere else and do anything else than listen to the priest until i fall asleep, and spending 30-40 minutes listening to those speeches? no thanks
Latvian traditions survive because they are rooted in their ancient ethnic beliefs and not because of some Christian BS. Around 1200 Pope Innocent III caved into some German business interests and began the Northern Crusades into the Baltic countries which lasted for decades. Christian priests have nothing to do with true Latvian identity.
I’m glad you’re considering living in Latvia! I suggest looking up vacancies on cv.lv visidarbi.lv (more official) and ss.lv (the country-wide announcement platform) Good luck!
Man šie svētki vienmēr saistījušies ar ticīgajiem, tiem kas apmeklē baznīcu utt. Pa cik savu dzīvi ar baznīcas ticību nesaistu, nekad neesmu izrādījusi interesi, apmeklējusi šos svētkus. Kapus var uzkopt jebkurā brīvdienā. Varbūt es kļūdos un tam ar baznīcas ticību nav nekāda sakara?
@@irregularLatvian Nu drīzāk Kristīgā baznīca šajā gadījumā rīkojusies pēc principa ja nevari apkarot tad stājies vadībā. Kapu svētku tradīcija ir pagāniska senču kulta relikts. Latvija patiesībā ir unikāla ar to ka patiesi kristīga tā kļuva tikai 18. gs. pateicoties brāļu draudžu kustībai. Un tas ka patiesa kristianizācija Latvijā jau saistījās ar sociālajiem aspektiem.
@@irregularLatvian nu tā, kamēr ansamblis dzidāja tikmēr bija laiks aprunāties ar tiem kuriem nebijām sen satikušies, bet kapos kur mēs bijām ir ļoti mazi un tāpēc mācītājam sanāca aprunāties ar katru kurš bija ieradies vai arī vismaz sasveicinājas. Bet man šie svētki ir vienmēr bijuši bišķīt aizkustinoši.
Bet tas izklausās jauki! :) manī arī jau kņud vēlme aizbraukt mājās, bet redz korona visus nokodusi. Vismaz es dzīvoju latviskas lietas caur jums visiem, kas pastāsta :)
Hahah, I guess since this was the churches initiative (at least mostly), they were happy to forget to mention for people to bring their spanking gear 😅
As an American living in Latvia, I was unaware of Kapusvētki. We were trying to get to a Purva taka and had to drive through a kapi. Not knowing it was kapusvētki we got stuck in the middle of a forest ( kapi ) in a traffic jam for hours. Never thought I would get out.
Je suis allé à mon premier Kapusvetki cet été dans la région de Madona/Laudona. En tant que Canadien, j'ai été très touché par cette cérémonie.
Each time i learn something new about Latvia, i get more excited to live there in the new future. I would love to gather in a graveyard and honor the deceased! I find it very wholesome and if i were to be buried in Latvia, i would want to have my loved ones visit so i can see them having a wonderful time. thank you for the video, i can hardly wait to learn more about my future home!
Growing up with Latvian immigrant parents there was always a cemetery “ cleaning” up . Now that most of the people that immigrated have died it’s still being done by my relatives who live close by. They are my generation. I would love to learn more so that they, or I, can continue this tradition.
Thank you for your comment! It always warms my heart to hear about Latvian traditions being nurtured by children of expats :)) it is amazing and wonderful! :)
Also special part of those festivals are candles - especially if this happens later in autumn, then it looks specially beautiful.
Oh yes, I decided to do a separate video on Candle Evenings :)
I was once told by a local Latvian etiquette expert, that the odd/even number of flowers rule only applies till the count of 9. If there are 10 or more flowers in the bouquet, it doesn't matter if you are giving them to your girlfriend or leaving them at the gravesite. Great content, hated going to this "festival" as a kid.
Then there is this dumb superstition - don't bring stuff (sticks, stones, pinecones, etc.) from the graveyard to your home or death will follow. Since kids love to collect this kind of stuff, I was repeatedly told to empty my pockets before leaving the cemetery.
Oh and the gardening supplies - rakes, shovels, buckets, etc. You name it, Latvians have it in their cemetery. And if you forgot to bring something to tidy up before the great celebration, you can always borrow from your dead neighbors. It's funny to reflect on all of this, but it is 100% true :D
Omg! Spot on! I forgot about the gardening supplies but you’re totally right! I always knew behind which bench there was a rake and behind which there was a... umm.. how it’s called.. kaplis 😅
I’m saving this comment for future reference :)
Amazing!! The local Latvian Cultural Centre is sharing this video!🤩🤩🤩🤩🇱🇻🇱🇻🇱🇻🇨🇦🇱🇻🇱🇻🇱🇻
That’s so amazing! Yaaay 🥳🥳🥳! Thanks for letting me know :)))
Congrats to latvians for succeeding to prove that scary tales are wrong and not scary by making a whole new kind of tales .. I really admire how you see death 👉👍 Good Job Germane 👌
Thank you for your Lovely comment! It is exactly the feeling that I get the more I learn about Latvian folklore and mentality! :) glad to know it resonates with others :)
I had a party for my relatives after kapu svetkus at the cemetary.Some folks crashed the party.It is a nice time to remember the folks we lost.It's a bittersweet reunion.
“Bittersweet” is pretty much a synonym of “Latvian” :)
I want a general "Latvian humor" video. That'd be great 😻
Noted :)
Most likely it would be a very short video ;-)
@@briancunningham4112 😅
Actually Latvian "Kapu svētki" is some relict from pagan cult of ancestors. This ancient cult are been changed and readjusted among the centuries but survive. The spirits of Latvian ancestors occasionally visit and supervise the next generation's. Still in middle of nineteenth century for ancestral souls (veļi in Latvian) in the autumn a special feast table was set up in the barn. As already described in video, it has survived today as a tradition of careful grave care and as an event twice a year, once in the summer when organized by a local congregation with the worship and for the second time a candlelight evening in the fall as substitution of previous ancestral souls feasting.
Thanks for your comment! I’m planning on doing a video (or two) about vełu laiks and svecisu vakars. I’m saving your comment for future reference :))))
Those memes are just priceless.. 😂😂
Kapu Svetki is the bizarre cultural gift that keeps on giving ... every year :)
HAha right? :)
Thanks for showing your culture to the world. I'm your subscriber.
Thats Lovely to know!! Thank you :)
This is one of my favourite videos you've made! Returning to the bosom of Mother Earth, ah yes! so beautiful.
Sveiki! Liels paldies for your lovely comment :)))))
That's so cool! Last year I was on the day of the death in Mexico and it's so beautiful how they celebrate death with such a passion!
I should go and see it as well! I find comfort in such an approach.. :)
@@irregularLatvian Yeah it's a must go! Also missed half of my comment. Hopefully I can witness that tradition in Latvia next year!
Germane is the cute and melodious teacher😆😊😊
I missed your videos!!! Latvian culture continues to intrigue me....
Hello! :) ahh thanks so much! Always Looking forward to your comments :)
Ah, i look forward to your videos. :) Someone needs to give you a job on TV, you're great. Humour on point. 👌
Until next time!!
latvian traditions are more and more interesting each time and confusing, not gonna lie haha
I agree! This one is especially tricky because now in the comments on Facebook NOBODY AGREES on how to celebrate or even how to translate this event. Latvians are such a mixed bunch .. :) it’s amazing
We're hoping to dedicate the restored tombstone for our artist/ancestor next year in Lielie kapi Riga (if and when Americans are allowed to travel to Latvia) and now we have a better idea of the traditions! Thanks for posting this.
Thanks for the lovely comment! I hope your project succeeds! :)
Guide in dating a Latvian please 🤣🙈 my husband needs it
Noted :))) but I need to recruit Latvian ladies for a survey. Otherwise it might be too influenced by me and become a guide on how to date Anete 😅
Another awesome and informative video Anete, appreciate the research and editing you do. Your lighter hair colour suits you...
Hello Dave! Thanks for your comment, Its always such a boost of energy to read such positive things :))
Actually my hair has not become lighter, it’s just the sun that’s playing tricks on me at 6am hahaha :)))
@@irregularLatvian Ironically I came across this news article regarding the way Indonesia remember their dead, click the link if you dare but it is not for the faint-hearted...
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3553844/Day-dead-Indonesian-community-honour-long-departed-relatives-digging-dressing-modern-fashions-taking-celebrate.html
www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2017/oct/13/cleaning-the-dead-the-afterlife-rituals-of-the-torajan-people
Yes more Death Humour please? Paldies!
I'd like to know more about death in Latvian humor
Last year in Aug I was there but didn't know about this festival. but it's wired like The Ma’Nene Festival in Indonesia. But how do you celebrate it ? if you can record a video explaining it. would be fine...!!
Père Lachaise, France & Highgate Cemetery, England both in my bucket list !!...
Well, you clean the grave, then you listen to the priest, sing a song maybe (it changes from parish to parish), then you talk with your friend and neighbors inquiring about their lives. And then you celebrate the informal part according to your idea of a good party :)
How about lasers & fireworks? Are they allowed, or depending on the parish? Or just bad taste/manner?
Btw, you really should get in depth with the topic of death. At least, six-feet deep 😎
If It is not forbidden, it is allowed :)
Have you done a video on Latvians issue with throughdrafts? Because apparently that's an issue. One which I've never understood 🤔
Love that idea! Will do :)
@@irregularLatvian Caurvezis ?
Well, I can't say I ever went near a cemetary in Riga when I was a child (we left Riga when I was 9 years old) as it was not thought proper at that time, 1939, for children to be taken to cemeteries. And Riga was a completely different place with very few influences from Europe or America, although everyone of course did go to see American films, especially the comedies of Laurel and Hardy. Pre second world war Riga ... and the summer resort of Meluzhi where my grandparents had a datcha ... was heaven. It was at that time that special bathing hours were in force, and for a reason.
From 8:00 AM-10:00 AM only men were allowed on the beach, and in the nude. A policeman patrolled to make sure the
proprieties were followed. At 10:00 AM he blew his whistle and the men donned clothing and left the beach. This is when the women arrived with their children, all disrobed and enjoyed the beach, naked, for two hours until noon when the policeman blew his whistle and everyone got dressed and went to their datcha to have lunch and a nice, long nap.
Šis labs :)
CRAZY! - like it :)
Hello from Brazil
Hellooo! :)))
Well this makes sense why I am the way I am but nobody in the Latvian Church does this over here! 😂
I am atheist, I've been going to only clean up the graveyards for about 10 years now. I categorically refuse to go to kapusvētki because my family always flocks to where the priest is and I'm simply just not interested, but doing anything alone in the party is boring. Last time I went to the party I was very little (hence why I found it boring) and I distinctly remember doing anything else, like prancing around (not running because that's rude) or trying to find the edge of the graveyard.
My family went to kapusvētki just for the priest, i don't remember a single instance of having a feast/actual party afterwards. I know, boring.
It might've played some role in why I am atheist now, but probably not. I've always found religion to be boring and useless, I dont remember ever enjoying it in the first place so.
Interesting take on religion/kapusvetki! I guess for me religion always took the back seat to some kind of golden thread of ancient Latvian traditions that goes through centuries. Or at least I like to look at it that way :)
The priest is never obtrusive and will not hunt you down to convert to religion, he is at the venue 30-40 minutes max usually. You can always quietly linger at the back if religion is not your thing. As author says- kapusvētki is all about socialising and catching up with neighbours/ relatives rather than about religion
@@rolandsv8 well my family always tries to sit close to the priest, they're just very religious in that sense, and I'd literally be anywhere else and do anything else than listen to the priest until i fall asleep, and spending 30-40 minutes listening to those speeches? no thanks
Latvian traditions survive because they are rooted in their ancient ethnic beliefs and not because of some Christian BS. Around 1200 Pope Innocent III caved into some German business interests and began the Northern Crusades into the Baltic countries which lasted for decades. Christian priests have nothing to do with true Latvian identity.
Hello Kailash I am a good computer networking engineer and want to work in Latvia, so help me
I’m glad you’re considering living in Latvia! I suggest looking up vacancies on cv.lv visidarbi.lv (more official) and ss.lv (the country-wide announcement platform)
Good luck!
Would this be comparable to the day of the dead for mexico? :D
A (at least on the surface) much more tame version perhaps. :)) I’ll have to compare the two sometime
graveyard festivals > techno festivals
Man šie svētki vienmēr saistījušies ar ticīgajiem, tiem kas apmeklē baznīcu utt. Pa cik savu dzīvi ar baznīcas ticību nesaistu, nekad neesmu izrādījusi interesi, apmeklējusi šos svētkus. Kapus var uzkopt jebkurā brīvdienā. Varbūt es kļūdos un tam ar baznīcas ticību nav nekāda sakara?
Ir, ir! Latviešiem vienmēr ir bijuši ar apbedīšanu saistīti rituāli, bet kapusvētki ir baznīcas radīts pasākums.
@@irregularLatvian Nu drīzāk Kristīgā baznīca šajā gadījumā rīkojusies pēc principa ja nevari apkarot tad stājies vadībā. Kapu svētku tradīcija ir pagāniska senču kulta relikts. Latvija patiesībā ir unikāla ar to ka patiesi kristīga tā kļuva tikai 18. gs. pateicoties brāļu draudžu kustībai. Un tas ka patiesa kristianizācija Latvijā jau saistījās ar sociālajiem aspektiem.
Yep biju kapu svētkos 2 nedēļas atpakaļ kas ir laukos.
Un kā gāja? :)
@@irregularLatvian nu tā, kamēr ansamblis dzidāja tikmēr bija laiks aprunāties ar tiem kuriem nebijām sen satikušies, bet kapos kur mēs bijām ir ļoti mazi un tāpēc mācītājam sanāca aprunāties ar katru kurš bija ieradies vai arī vismaz sasveicinājas. Bet man šie svētki ir vienmēr bijuši bišķīt aizkustinoši.
Bet tas izklausās jauki! :) manī arī jau kņud vēlme aizbraukt mājās, bet redz korona visus nokodusi. Vismaz es dzīvoju latviskas lietas caur jums visiem, kas pastāsta :)
Es bija Kapos un pec to dzeru Alu...
Labs plāns!
Hungry Latvians at cemetary make delivery order from Mcdonalds. Very uniqe..
😂😂
at this point.. i expected spanking to be part of the festival 🤷♀️
Hahah, I guess since this was the churches initiative (at least mostly), they were happy to forget to mention for people to bring their spanking gear 😅
@@irregularLatvian but do you also have the 1st of november as a holiday? this is the traditional catholic "day of the dead". not that festive tho 😂
We do... but not always on the same date :)