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The folklore movement in Latvia started at the very beginning of the 80-s. At that time it was more of a political action than a musical trend - singing and playing was inevitably accompanied by interest in Latvian history, the very beginnings of Latvian nation, archeology, ethnography, mythology and traditions. All these subjects were at least partly forbidden and never talked about during the communist regime. At that time folk bands were more like centres of national studies and cognition.
In 1981 Ilga Reizniece formed IĻĢI folk band. Like other folk musicians IĻĢI visited old people - bearers of this ancient knowledge, learnt songs and mastered various folk intruments, made their national costumes and musical instruments themselves. Like other folk musicians IĻĢI toured the country teaching people long forgotten songs, dances and traditions and striving to revive them.
From the very beginning IĻĢI have been more interested in the most ancient and sacred levels of folk music, both musically and conceptually - in the ancient Latvian mythology, traditional way and rhythm of life, its harmony with rhythms of nature, times of year and family celebrations. Nevertheless IĻĢI have gradually developed from a traditional folk band into a band that considers folklore only an impulse for creating music of their own.
After several changes in the line-up the present band members are Ilga Reizniece, Māris Muktupāvels, Mikus Čavarts, Gatis Gaujenieks un Arnolds Kārklis. IĻĢI have performed abroad as well - in Lithuania, Estonia, Russia, Swden, Finland, Norway, England, Switzerlans, Australia and the U.S.A.
There is no doubt that IĻĢI is the most important world music band in Latvia.