Latvian Voices’ New Song & Video Promote Inclusion with Down Syndrome Community

A new a cappella song and music video, “Mums pieder šodiena” (We Own Today), released today by Latvian Voices, aims to promote inclusivity and understanding on World Down Syndrome Day. The project was initiated by the Latvian Down Syndrome Association.

The song’s creation followed nearly a month of research into facts about Down syndrome, according to composer and lyricist Laura Jēkabsone. “This process was very educational and creative at the same time, as I received various facts about Down syndrome almost every day for a month, which inspired ideas for our a cappella song,” Jēkabsone stated. She noted that the prevalence of hugging among people with Down syndrome was a particularly strong influence on the song’s direction.

The music video features young people with Down syndrome and was directed by Amanda Grīnberga. Grīnberga described the video as an invitation to increase joy, even through simple gestures like smiling at strangers. “Cinema and theater halls unite the most diverse people in shared experiences,” she said. “But rarely do we share, talk, or even develop into friends with those sitting next to us. We created this video as a call to increase joy, even by simply smiling at a stranger who lives right next to us.”

Velga Polinska, a board member of the Latvian Down Syndrome Association, highlighted the ongoing collaboration. “This is the fourth year that we have been cooperating with great Latvian musicians and artists to create a song and video to mark Down Syndrome Day,” Polinska said.

The song and video seek to emphasize the value of learning from individuals with Down syndrome, particularly their ability to find joy in the moment – a quality often overlooked, according to the creative team behind the project. The initiative underscores the benefits of diversity and the opportunity for mutual learning.