Raimonds Pauls, the Latvian composer whose melodies have soundtracked generations, marked his 90th birthday on January 12, 2026, with a revelation that challenges his public persona. Even as celebrated for his elegant compositions and collaborations with iconic artists like Alla Pugacheva, Valery Leontiev, and Laima Vaikule, Pauls finds solace and inspiration in a decidedly more practical pursuit: home maintenance and repair.
The Maestro, a former cultural minister, is known for his prolific output across genres, from simple songs to film scores, jazz, and musicals. However, away from the concert hall and recording studio, Pauls dedicates considerable time to hands-on work around his property in Baltezers, Latvia. This passion for practical tasks, described by some as an unexpected facet of his personality, has become a well-known anecdote among those close to him.
According to a report in the Latvian magazine “Privātā Dzīve,” Pauls views visits to local hardware stores not as errands, but as restorative experiences. “I adore hardware stores. I can walk through them like a museum. I like to study, to tinker around with those instruments,” Pauls is quoted as saying. He admits to impulse purchases, acquiring tools even without a specific project in mind. “I buy something new if I see it. Whether I then employ it is another question.”
This aptitude for practical work extends to a wide range of household tasks. Pauls is reportedly capable of handling most repairs himself, from hanging pictures to fixing plumbing issues. This self-sufficiency has been a lifelong trait, helping him maintain both his physical and mental acuity, even at an advanced age. His workshop and collection of tools in Baltezers serve as a testament to this dedication, demonstrating a creative energy that extends beyond music.
Normunds Rutulis, a Latvian singer who first collaborated with Pauls in the early 1990s at the Latvian State Conservatory (now the Latvian Academy of Music), described Pauls as possessing a keen intuition, stating, “He has the right nose,” according to a report in Delfi. While Rutulis’s comment speaks to Pauls’s musical sensibility, it also hints at a broader perceptive ability that may contribute to his success in practical matters.
A documentary film, “Maestro Raimonds Pauls. Dziesmiņa par prieku” (Song About Joy), released in 2025, offers a glimpse into Pauls’s creative process, including his work on the concert program “Shakespeare. Sonnets. Pauls. Busulis. Keišs,” as well as preparations for Latvian midsummer and Christmas celebrations. The film features interviews with musicians and colleagues including Andris Keišs, Intars Busulis, Raimonds Macats, Uldis Marhilevičs, Māris Briežkalns, Mārtiņš Egliens, Anda Zadovska, and Māra Eglīte. The film’s script was consulted by Mārtiņš Egliens, and Jānis Verdens and Edgars Bite served as lead cinematographers.
The juxtaposition of Pauls’s artistic achievements with his down-to-earth hobbies offers a compelling portrait of a man who finds fulfillment in both the abstract world of music and the tangible realities of everyday life. This blend of creativity and practicality resonates in a contemporary world often characterized by increasing specialization and detachment from manual skills.
On January 12, 2026, Pauls marked his 90th birthday with a concert at the National Theatre in Latvia, featuring songs from theatrical productions and his most beloved compositions performed by singing actors.
