We are an active dance group of around 25 dancers, keeping the tradition of Latvian folk dance alive in London.
Founded in 2012, our group brings together dancers of varied backgrounds — long-time dancers from Latvia, those who danced during their school years, and newcomers to folk dance.
Under the leadership of Aldis Salms and Elīna Symon, we learn dances, perform at concerts and prepare for the next Latvian Song and Dance Festival.
Leaders
Elīna Symon
Elīna started dancing at the age of two with the folk-dance group "Dzintariņš" in Riga, under Olga Freiberga. After moving to Belgium, she attended ballet school for ten years. In 2011 Elīna moved to London and a few years later in 2015 returned to folk dance taking part in the Latvian Song and Dance Festivals in 2018 and 2023. Together with Aldis, Elīna took over the leadership of Salinieki in September 2020.
Aldis Salms
Aldis began dancing in first grade and participated in his first school children's dance festival. He then took a break from dancing and returned to dance in 2002, developing his skills in various Latvian dance groups across A, B and C categories and training with well known choreographers. In 2018 Aldis moved to London and joined Salinieki. Together with Elīna, he took over the leadership of Salinieki in September 2020.
Leaders through the years
- From September 2020 – Elīna Symon, Aldis Salms
- March 2017 – Kaspars Frīdmanis
- January 2015 – Anita Petrovica
- September 2013 – Dace Jankova–Priede
- January 2012 – Baiba Freidenfelde
Concerts
- June 2026Dancing the Sun's Journey, Portlaoise, Ireland
- May 202610th Latvian Culture Day in the United Kingdom, Leicester, UK
- February 2026Dejo Ar Mani, Aberdeen, UK
- November 2025Latvian Independence Day concert, London, UK
- August 2025Dziesma Dejo Deja Skan, epic "Düna", Mežaparks, Latvia
- July 2025ELKS III, Bradford, UK
- February 2025Dejo Ar Mani, Aberdeen, UK
- November 2024Latvian Independence Day concert, London, UK
- November 2023Latvian Independence Day concert, London, UK
- July 2023XXVII Latvian Song and XVII Dance Festival, grand dance concert "Mūžīgais Dzinējs", dancing in group E and the diaspora group
- November 2022Latvian Independence Day concert, London, UK
- June 2022Latvian Song Festival, Esslingen, Germany
- November 2021Latvian Independence Day concert, London, UK
- November 2020Latvian Independence Day concert (online), London, UK
- October 2020Peterborough Latvian Society 10th anniversary concert (online), UK
- March 2020Vēju danči, Aberdeen, UK
- November 2019Event marking the 101st anniversary of Latvia, London, UK
- October 2019TDK Zibenītis 5th anniversary concert, Stockholm, Sweden
- July 2019XV Latvian Song and Dance Festival in Canada, Toronto, Canada
- May 2019Latvian Culture Days, Mansfield, UK
- April 2019Latvian Culture Days, Edinburgh, UK
- July 2018XXVI Latvian Song and XVI Dance Festival, grand dance concert "Māras Zeme", dancing in group C and the diaspora group
- July 2018World Latvian Day, concert "Cilvēks. Mūžs. DIMD!" at the Latvian Society House, Riga, Latvia
- May 2018Latvian Culture Days, London, UK
- April 2018Latvian Culture Days, Antalya, Turkey
- February 2018Latvian Culture Days, Roosendaal, Netherlands
- November 2017Latvian Culture Days, Stockholm, Sweden
- June 2017Midsummer celebration, "Black Shark Event", UK
- January 2017Salinieki 5th anniversary concert, Daugavas Vanagu Nams, London, UK
- June 2015Bērzes Strazdi Midsummer Festival, Straumēni, UK
- November 2014Concert marking November 18 in London, Westminster Cathedral Hall, UK
- June 2014Bērzes Strazdi Midsummer Festival, Straumēni, UK
- May 2014Latvian Culture Days, Peterborough, UK
- May 2014Wisbech town festival, Wisbech, UK
- November 2013Concert marking November 18 in London, Westminster Cathedral Hall, UK
- October 2013Friendship concert with TDA "Liesma", UK
- June 2013Bērzes Strazdi Midsummer Festival, Straumēni, UK
- June 2013Latvian Culture Days, London, UK
- May 2013Wisbech town festival, Wisbech, UK
- March 2013Friendship concert with TDK "Trejdeviņi", Estonian Society House, London, UK
- July 2013XXV Latvian Song and XV Dance Festival, grand dance concert "Tēvu laipas", dancing in group C