For Latvian actor Eduards Bondars, a career on stage wasn’t a sudden ambition—it was a homecoming. Bondars, who has been steadily building a presence in Latvian theatre and film, grew up immersed in the world of the Valmiera Drama Theatre, a formative experience that ultimately shaped his path. “My first role was at six years old in a Christmas play,” Bondars recalled. “Then, at 12, I participated in a production of ‘Baltais’ directed by Feliks Deičs. I grew up in a theatre environment, seeing the entire Valmiera Theatre repertoire during my school years.”
A Family Affair, Initially Kept Secret
Bondars’s dedication to acting wasn’t immediately shared by his father. He revealed that his father once expressed a preference for neither of his sons pursuing a career in the arts. “I didn’t tell my father about applying to acting school at first, because he had mentioned at a family gathering that he wouldn’t want either of his sons to become actors,” Bondars admitted. Despite his father’s reservations, Bondars followed his passion, eventually enrolling in the Latvian Academy of Culture after a year studying Baltic philology at the University of Latvia, graduating in 2015. He now shares a professional connection with his father, having worked alongside him for the past decade.
Bondars credits his early experiences at the Ādažu Free Waldorf School with further igniting his love for performance. The school’s annual large-scale productions, involving all students, provided a space for exploration and discovery. “We tried improvisation during the casting and that’s when I felt the magic of theatre, which I had felt before when participating in ‘Baltais’,” he explained. This early exposure, combined with the immersive environment of the Valmiera Drama Theatre, laid the foundation for a career that continues to unfold.
Bondars’s story highlights the enduring power of early exposure to the arts and the complex dynamics within families when pursuing a creative career. His journey, from a child actor in a Christmas play to a working professional sharing the stage with his father, is a testament to the lasting impact of a supportive artistic community.
As Bondars continues to build his career, one can’t help but wonder how his father now views his chosen path, and what latest collaborative opportunities might arise from their shared profession.




