Tarkšķi

Tarkšķi perform traditional music from the cultural and historical region of Zemgale, ranging from songs sung outdoors in the springtime (which had been more or less forgotten since the end of the 19th century) to popular dances and folk songs of the first half of the 20th century. The group consists of children and youths from the town of Iecava, who learn music skills and folk songs from Kristīne Karele, who founded the group thirty years ago and still serves as its leader. Tarkšķi have recorded four albums and made several videos. In cooperation with the American Latvian Association, they have also created animated videos of folk songs performed by members of Tarkšķi. The group’s latest release, "Sadziedam?" (Shall We Sing?), is aimed at children and features popular children’s folk songs with accompanying instrumental accompaniments.

Several former members who grew up with Tarkšķi have gone on to work professionally in the field of music, passing on to others what they learned in the group. They are now perhaps themselves unable to live without Latvian folk songs and the native worldview. As an example, the singing of Tautumeitas members Laura Līcīte and Laura Vārpiņa bring to mind Karele’s own bright vocal timbre.

Everyone in Tarkšķi sings and learns a folk music instrument: kokle, violin, zither, harmonica, bass, wooden flute, etc. Among these instruments, however, the mandolin holds a special place. Its revival as a traditional musical instrument in Latvia began only quite recently, in the 2010s. Special courses were organised and interest grew in the mandolin-only ensembles popular in the 19th and 20th centuries. The Tarkšķi Mandolinists, a subgroup consisting of 15 people, perform dances and songs from the first half of the 20th century, accompanied by violin, guitar, bass and accordion.

Lauma Bērza, 2022