Vilkači

Since 2000, Vilkači have been breathing new life into the masculine side of Latvian folklore. With  roots in the historical reenactment movement and demonstrations of ancient combat, the  ensemble has a strong musical side and a wide repertoire of songs. Its sound is powerful and  evocative, with references to the Late Iron Age and embodying the image of the ancient Latvian  warrior – courageous, skilled, vigorous. The costumes and armour of the participants are  handmade based on finds dating to the 9th–13th century CE. 

Vilkači’s debut album, Ko, kundziņi, Tu domāji?, consists of vocal-instrumental  arrangements of ancient warrior songs and features folk instruments such as bagpipes,  monochord and drums. The song “Vai tādēļi nedziedāju?” has even gained widespread popularity  among Latvians around the world. The group’s next album, Jānis, presents Midsummer songs  from various regions of Latvia arranged in a historical-fantasy style and with a particular focus on  multipart singing and the kokle, a Baltic psaltery. In addition, an animated video was created for  the song “Izkaptiņa” with its lyrics to protect against evil. 

Vilkači released the album Karavīru audzināj’ during the centenary year of the Republic of  Latvia. It contains emotionally profound warriors’ songs about love for one’s homeland and family  as well as fateful signs found in nature. The group’s most recent album is titled Ķezbierēs, a  Latvian word meaning ‘cherry tree’ or ‘cherries’, although it can also be used figuratively to refer  to pretty young women. The programme features songs of young men that tell of courtship,  marriage and family life.

Foto: Gatis Indrēvics