Belonging to Latvia offers a great opportunity. Andra Zobens-Real – London and "Latvian" / Article / LSM.LV



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Head of the London Symphony Orchestra on weekdays, conductor of Latvian choir in London on Wednesday evenings and public holidays, as well as cello of the postfolklor group "Austrumkalns" – it is the Latvians in exile Andras Zobens-Real (Andra Zobens-East) every day in London. Andra is also known in the UK as "the machine" and "Latvian" and therefore deserves to do more knowledge.

Family And Friends Andra is called "the machine" – simply because it's a man who can handle everything and seems to be more than one day at a time. It is a pbadion and excitement that characterize her and enhance her ability to combine full-time work at the London Symphony Orchestra with many activities of Latvian cultural life, not to mention to keep her smile and her sunny life everyday. .

A graduate of London's Royal Holloway University and a graduate in cultural management from London City University, Andra directs the London Symphony Orchestra, which runs various projects as part of educational programs. Their goal is to attract more and more people to clbadical music – especially those who, for financial or other reasons, do not have the chance to learn a game.

Photo: Sandijs Skujiņš

London Latvian Choir 70

Andra's work is very important: she sang and played cello in the footsteps of her child. She can not imagine a life without music.

"I am aware of my joy as I grow up in a family that would afford to buy instruments, pay for music lessons and participate in a local youth orchestra because much of the company does not have this opportunity because of financial problems or health problems, "says Andra.

Music is not just a profession; A number of studies show that it helps children to develop in other important areas of life, thus improving their academic performance and their ability to learn language, mathematics and others. materials. Participation in music clbades also improves mental health, develops creative and social skills.

"By being in this environment and managing music projects, I can see how huge it is, and that is what gives me the most joy, motivation and power of being able to do it. moving forward. I feel that

working in music education has become the mission of my life! I have recently found old school books where I was 12 years old when I wrote that I wanted to be head of a music school! "

The London choir of London occupies a very important place in the life of the entire Sword-Real family since Andra's mother, Lily Zobens, took over her leadership in 1976 from her longtime friend, founder of the choir, Albert Jerome. All the while, the Latvian diaspora and the Latvian choir have taken an active part in the life of Lilian Sword, Andras Daddy, Leslie, (Leslie East). He started directing the choir immediately after the birth of his daughter.

"I have participated in rehearsals from an early age, and we continue to actively lead the choir alongside my mother this morning," said Andra.

Photo: from a private archive

For this, the popular image of the people, in which Lily Zobens' little girl is tightly wrapped in the nose, with her second hand, is a powerful choir leader.

Photo: from a private archive

Mom, Andra and the choir

"I draw a lot of power from people and music itself, and I often see the positive changes that happen when we sing a great Latvian song during a choir rehearsal."

Apart from work and culture, family and friends, whose society is the port of rest and support, constitute the most important element of Andra's life. London's diverse cultural life also makes everyday life more enjoyable – she enjoys visiting the city's art galleries, as well as supporting her loved ones in the creative process, most of them playing d & # 39; 39, a musical instrument or singing in concerts of clbadical and popular music. "It's a wonderful feature of London: you can find something interesting to do every day / every evening."

Andra is pleased to acknowledge that relations with Latvia, its language and culture have played an important role in its personality. His parents and family, whose respect and love for music have been inherited, have also played an important role.

"My roots and my belonging to Latvia have provided me with a great opportunity and there are so many Latvians that I consider myself to be my family. I know that it is not easy to raise children abroad and to teach the Latvian language, especially in the family, when one of the parents is not Latvian. But my parents are a great example of what it is possible – my children will also speak Latvian! "

Photo: from a private archive

Austrumkalns Group

The world often meets Andras to participate in various cultural events and occurs in the group of postcolumns "Austrumkalns", founded by Andra with his sister Karolins Zobens-Genuine (Caroline Sword-East) and the grandchildren of Alberta Jēruma – Ann Grinberg and Lail Grinberg.

Photo: from a private archive

Dancers in Eslingen in June 2017 with the group "Austrumkalns"

Thus, the name of Latvia is presented to distant countries by participating in various projects, festivals and events, playing with different countries of the world and uniting with them. Girls often have the honor of conducting and giving festive concerts for Latvian communities outside Great Britain (Germany, Belgium, Ireland, etc.). In addition to concerts abroad, collectives and choirs often meet in Latvia. This is a particularly important and unforgettable adventure for Latvians living abroad. Andra remembers the events of last year, with great emotion: its participation in the festival of the centenary of the song in the summer and the rock opera Lāčplēsis in the autumn.

"I know someone could look at me and think – but she has never lived in Latvia!" But Andras considers a Latvian as a man who keeps Latvia in his way of life, wherever he is. For her, Latvian is a language, a culture, a family and friends.

"It's my life. I have one leg in each country, I feel at home in Latvia. As a Latvian in the UK, I think that Latvian society and I have an important role to play here: bringing and spreading the name of Latvia abroad.

All my non-Latvian friends see me and call it "Latvian". Many of them visited Latvia and found a way to learn more about this small country.

and its rich and interesting story, because we told them about it. Some even start learning Latvian and knitting Latvian gloves!

Photo: from a private archive

Andra with Mom Straumeni

Andra has close links with Latvia at every stage of the journey, even if it lives far away from its home country. Although it is impossible to combine the daily work in the orchestra, the direction and direction of a choir, as well as many other cultural activities of the Latvian diaspora, these elements are closely linked by an essential element. "The love for music and culture, more than anything else, can bring together so many people in one place," is a statement that motivates Andras in all his works.

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