The 15th season of the Latvian Television cultural series Teātris.zip kicks off on August 22 on LTV1 with Valmiera Theatre’s production of Daliņš, according to public broadcaster announcements. Hosted by Ojārs Rubenis, the milestone season features a curated lineup of eight notable theatrical works spanning contemporary drama, historical reflection, and puppet arts, backed by the Boris and Ināra Teterev Fund.
Valmiera Theatre Opens Season 15 With Daliņš
Opening the season on August 22, the Valmiera Theatre production Daliņš brings the life of legendary Latvian race walker Jānis Daliņš to the screen. Daliņš secured a silver medal at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympic Games and claimed the title of Europe’s first-ever European champion in race walking at Turin in 1934, as detailed in production notes. Director Toms Treinis and scenographer Kristaps Kramiņš devised an unconventional staging approach where seven actors of varying generations and both genders portray the athlete. Prior to the broadcast, host Ojārs Rubenis speaks with director Treinis, scenographer Kramiņš, and cast members Eduards Johansons, Januss Johansons, Inese Ramute, and Kārlis Dzintars Zahovskis.
Liepāja Theatre Explores Family Dynamics in Tēvs klusums
On August 29, LTV1 broadcasts Liepāja Theatre’s Tēvs klusums (Father Silence), an emotional exploration of a father and daughter reconnecting late in life. Written by playwright Rasa Bugavičute-Pēce, the narrative follows Maija as she attends her father’s anniversary concert bearing unresolved questions regarding past pain and distance. While drawing on autobiographical elements, the playwright notes the work is not a direct documentary reconstruction of a single life story. Before the screening, Rubenis interviews Bugavičute-Pēce alongside actor Ģirts Krūmiņš, who portrays the father.
Did you know? Since its inception in 2012 with support from the Boris and Ināra Teterev Fund, Teātris.zip has archived 249 distinct Latvian theatrical productions, amassing over nine million total views across more than 300 broadcasts.
Puppet Arts and Classic Literature in Tuntuļu Jurītis
Younger audiences and families take center stage on September 5 at 9:45 AM with the Latvian Puppet Theatre’s presentation of Tuntuļu Jurītis. Directed by Ģirts Šolis, the musical object-theater production adapts Albert Kronenberg’s classic children’s literature featuring the resourceful rural boy Jurītis. TV personality Ketija Šēnberga and actor Juris Hiršs host the companion discussion, talking with young viewers Astrīda Šēnberga, Regnārs Šēnbergs, Matilde Būmeistere, and Edvarts Būmeisteris.
National Theatre Revives Bezkaunīgais vecis
Later on September 5 at 9:10 PM, the National Theatre production of Bezkaunīgais vecis (The Shameless Old Man), written by Anšlavs Eglītis and directed by Gatis Šmits, airs on LTV1. Shifting away from Mihail Kublinskis’ 1990 staging which leaned into sparkling comedy, Šmits directs a production that highlights darker undertones including loneliness, resentment, and aging. Actors Juris Lisners, Voldemārs Šoriņš, and Ainārs Ančevskis join Rubenis for the pre-show discussion.
Historical Memory Explored in Mēs, roks, sekss un PSRS
Valmiera Theatre returns to the schedule on September 12 with Mēs, roks, sekss un PSRS (We, Rock, Sex, and the USSR). Ance Muižniece’s satirical play centers on three 17-year-olds navigating friendship, first love, and rebellion following a 1985 Pērkons concert in Ogre. Prior to the broadcast, Rubenis interviews Valmiera Theatre director Evita Ašeradene, director Jānis Znotiņš, playwright Muižniece, and actor Sandis Ruņģis.
Honoring Uldis Stabulnieks in Dievišķās nejaušības
Commemorating what would have been composer Uldis Stabulnieks’ 80th birthday, the National Theatre concert-production Dievišķās nejaušības (Divine Coincidences) airs on September 19. Conceived and directed by Marija Bērziņa, the tribute avoids a standard greatest-hits format in favor of lesser-known compositions performed by actors. Bērziņa and Aleksandrs Toms Matjušons discuss the musical arrangements with Rubenis ahead of the broadcast.
Solo Performances and Literary Classics Close the Season
Dailes Theatre’s Visas viņas (All Her Women) takes the slot on October 10, featuring actress Ilze Ķuzule-Skrastiņa portraying three distinct female characters across different formats. The season concludes on October 17 with a double look at the National Theatre’s Ilgu tramvajs (A Streetcar Named Desire). Viewers can watch Alfreds Jaunušāns’ historic 1969 stage recording featuring Antra Liedskalniņa as Blanche, alongside discussion segments on a new staging directed by Pēteris Krilovs featuring actors Maija Doveika, Jana Ļisova, and Gundars Grasbergs.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 15th season of Teātris.zip premiere?
The season premieres on August 22 on LTV1 with Valmiera Theatre’s production of Daliņš.
How many total productions are featured in the anniversary season?
The 15th season lineup includes eight distinct theatrical works spanning multiple Latvian theaters.
Are full recordings available for all featured plays?
Most scheduled performances air in full on LTV1 and REplay.lv, though certain contemporary stagings like Ilgu tramvajs feature broadcast excerpts due to copyright limitations.
Who supports the Teātris.zip broadcast series?
The cultural series operates with backing from the Boris and Ināra Teterev Fund.