Silvia Zalts Sīpoliņš – vicar of a Lutheran congregation – shares her impressions of her trip to Latvia.
Silvia Marisa Zalta-Sīpoliņa was born on June 25, 1960, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Silvia studied art history and systematic theology in Argentina, Israel, Canada, and Brazil.
On March 7, 1988, she was ordained as a pastor of LELBāL and of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Argentina and Uruguay. At present Silvia serves as a vicar in Canada—in Canadian and Latvian congregations.
Silvija is married and has one child. “The first time I was in Latvia was 24 years ago, the second time 16 years ago, the third time this summer, in 2013.
Every time I have been in my parents’ homeland, I have experienced it deeply. And this time the XXV Song and XV Dance Festival simply enchanted me!
I could not stop admiring Riga—its towers, monuments, the restored buildings in Old Riga, the Art Nouveau architecture, the delicious cuisine, the blackcurrant balsam ice cream… and the Vērmane Garden market with all the works of craftsmen and masters… theater, choir, and instrumental ensembles at every step… Everything, everything so enchanting and powerful!
Music, Latvianness, and the bond with this land, with my roots, and with God vibrated within me. They vibrated as I watched and listened to the Opening of the Festival, the Sacred Music concert in Riga Cathedral, the Psalm and Early Music concert in St. John’s Church, the grand performance of folk dance, the Symphonic Music concert at the “Riga Arena,” the procession, and the Closing concert in Mežaparks. This cultural and spiritual richness is impossible to describe. But it became clear to me that for Latvians MUSIC—sung, played, or danced—is their soul, their strength. Music and the unity found in it have sustained and taught that great reverence which the Latvian people felt for their land, for creation, for God, and for His presence in the relationships between people and nature.
This journey also gave me the opportunity to meet some very dear people, with whom a friendship has developed over the years and who are connected with my parents’ families. Yes, each meeting was a blessing that gave cause to reflect on the past and also gave rise to visions and dreams.
It was a great joy for me to meet the pastor Vaira Bitēna. The last time we met was in 1989 in Saulkrasti, and since then Vaira has been and is a model of a pastor for me. Her bearing, her deep faith, her work of love, her life, which like coal has passed through fire, has made her like a diamond that shines with divine light! …and I feel so happy about her friendship and her gift. It was also a joy to meet the pastor Sarmīte Fišere, whom I got to know in 1990, when she was an ELCL youth delegate at the LWF (Lutheran World Federation) conference in Argentina and Brazil. Yes, those were the times when women pastors were fully recognized in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia.
On July 3 we experienced a historic event in Riga Cathedral, where the congregation, congregation workers, pastors (both men and women), and the archbishops of both churches united in a worship service! Some knelt, as is customary in the ELCL, while others, including myself, remained standing; both archbishops preached, and ordained and non-ordained members of the church took part in the Bible readings and prayers. Accompanied on the organ by Larisa Bulava, Evita Zālīte and Ansis Sauka sang, filling this historic space with the blessing of music. Those of us who had taken part in the procession of clergy sat near the altar, from where it is hard to see the congregation, but we could observe one another… The institution of the Holy Communion was carried out by Bishop Jāna Jēruma-Grīnberga and both archbishops. These are all important moments in the Lutheran liturgy, and even more complete when ordained women and men can serve together, each making his or her own contribution!
After the worship service, in the sacristy, we warmly greeted some colleagues, and then in the Cathedral Garden there was still an opportunity to talk and get acquainted.
This worship service, as well as the ecumenical worship service on the previous Sunday, were fine introductions to the Song and Dance Festival!
I have already been back home for a few weeks and continue to listen to the Song Festival music every day. I look through the photos, I have begun to study the ethnographic ornaments and patterns, and I tell my Latvian and non-Latvian friends how beautiful Latvia is!
First from the left in the photo is the pastor Anita Vārsberga , second the deacon Ieva Puriņa, third the chair of LLSTA, chaplain R.Losāne, fourth the vicar S.Zalts-Sipoliņa.
May God bless our fathers’ land and give each of us the awareness and love to multiply those values that make the nation and the church bloom and bear fruit!”
Silvia Zalts Sīpoliņš
Proofreader Milda Klampe