Six months of rehearsals for a single performance: what the military is preparing for Lāčplēsis Day in Riga

The program has been rehearsed for almost six months, and some participants had to overcome serious difficulties with their sense of rhythm, reports the program [TV3](https://tv3.lv/zinas/latvija/valsts-aizsardzibas-dienesta-karaviri-menesiem-gatavojusies-lacplesa-dienas-defile/) "900 seconds." ### Six months of training for the performance The preparation of the servicemen is led by the commander of the honor guard company, Liga Velvere-Krumina. Currently, the participants are conducting their final intensive rehearsals before the festive performance. For Karlis Vilde, who is completing his final, eleventh month of service, participating in the parade has become one of the most memorable challenges. > "We train every day, we have evening sessions, and there are long evenings when we dance together with the girls in folk costumes. As our company commander says — it’s an honor that not everyone gets to experience," the serviceman said. The young people participating in the program have mastered service in the honor guard company after basic training. They can be seen at the Freedom Monument, the Riga Castle, and during state ceremonial events. However, their everyday service is much more diverse than it may seem from the outside. > "There are weeks when we are in the forest, and on the same week, there is an event we need to attend. Every day is different from the other. One day you perform a task, the next you need to stand by Milda. It’s quite a busy life," said Alexander Orbidans, who will be marching in the flag group during the festive parade. ### "This year, the guys are having a hard time with musical ear" On November 11, the servicemen will perform together with the dancers of the Zemessardze ensemble "Bramaņi." The artistic director of the ensemble and choreographer of the parade, Taiga Ludborža, admits that the preparation required a lot of patience. According to her, each year the servicemen become more open to creative experiments and are more willing to accept new challenges. However, the current group has one particular feature. > "This year, guys, I’m sorry, is special in that they have a very weak musical ear, almost all of them," the choreographer admitted with a smile. To achieve the necessary precision in performance, the servicemen had to train especially hard. > "To achieve the performance of the program exactly as I want, they really trained a lot and learned. Thank you, guys," Ludborža added. As a result, the audience will see a performance where military drill and discipline will be combined with elements of Latvian folk dance. ### Where and when to watch the parade on November 11 Wednesday, November 11, 2026 Shortly before 13:00 Freedom Monument, Riga The performance will be part of the ceremonial event of the Headquarters Battalion, dedicated to the 34th anniversary of the restoration of the honor guard. The musical accompaniment of the parade will be the song "Tavs karogs" ("Your Flag"), which will be performed live by one of its authors, musician Jānis Aišpurs.