“Great littleness leads to greatness” — to Bronislava Martuževa 100

Poet Bronislava Martuževa (1924–2012) is a symbol of inner freedom and strength of spirit, member of the National Resistance Movement, repressed, exiled to Siberia, awarded with the Order of Three Stars. The poet’s creative biography, life story and the contrasting diversity of her personality carry powerful impulses for the understanding of Latvia’s 20th century history and inspiration for the future. B. Martuževa is a legend of an entire era, whose poetry cannot be separated from her personality – it is permeated by the power of faith, the pure vision of life of a Christian person and true love for the motherland.

“Topi strong, heart” – a concert performance dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the outstanding Latvian poet and songwriter Bronislava Martuževa. The artistic concept of the concert performance is created by conductor Aira Birziņa and actress Baiba Broka. Actress Baiba Broka, soloist Ieva Parša, VEF Culture Palace women’s choir “Dzintars” and conductor Aira Birziņa, instrumental group – Mārtiņš Zilberts (piano), Indulis Cintiņš (violin), Ainārs Paukšēns (cello), Laima Jansone (coke) and Valdis Zilveris (accordion). New works created especially for this performance will be played – music by composers Jēkab Jančevskis, Valdas Zilvers and Arturs Maskats with poetry by Bronislava Martuževas. The program will also include songs written by the poet herself in special arrangements for choir and instrumental group. In the musical story, the values ​​encoded in the literary heritage of the poetess and lived throughout her life will be intertwined – gratitude and humility before God, love of the native land, nature and people, the strength of the personal spirit and life-affirming energy. Another very human facet of B. Martuzheva’s personality will be revealed in the poetry of love – a deeply and passionately feeling woman. “Great littleness leads to greatness” – these are the words of Bronislava Martuževa, which have been chosen as the symbolic slogan of the poet’s centenary and aptly describe her personality and vision of the world.

Baiba Broka says about the concert performance: “Bronislava Martuževa’s poetry, her sharp, tenacious, full of life force, relentlessly creative personality arouse in me not only great respect as an artist and a strong person, but also challenge me not to give up in the face of the difficulties and compromises of this time, to search and feel the strength that faith in God gives and to endure everything that life – so different for each one – has planned for us. In Martuzheva’s poetry, I find words of strength for my life as well. May they inspire us all!”

The premiere of the concert performance “Topi stirpa, sirds” will take place on April 13, 2024 at the Latgale Embassy GORS. The performance will also be performed on May 19 at VEF Culture Palace Kamerzāle, Riga, and on May 26 at Lubana Evangelical Lutheran Church.