Silhouette Letters. A Dance Performance at Hanzas perons

On Tuesday, 9 December, the contemporary dance performance “Silueta burti” (“Silhouette Letters”) by choreographer Artūrs Nīgalis—highly acclaimed both in Latvia and internationally—returns to Riga’s cultural venue Hanzas perons, now in an expanded and renewed form.

In the softly lit centre of the space, a long rope hangs from the ceiling. Two dancers coil around it until they are paralysed; spin until they feel dizzy; cling to it as if it were a lifeline. Through it, they reveal “Silhouette Letters”—a bittersweet duet about relationships that exist and even flourish in silence and in the imagination with those who are no longer, or have never been, beside us. These invisible ties evoke emotions without a clear recipient, yet they have a space—and in this space, they dance.

The performance premiered in mid-2024 as Artūrs Nīgalis graduated from the Latvian Academy of Culture (Contemporary Dance programme). Since then, it has earned praise not only from Latvian audiences and critics but also internationally. Nīgalis was selected for the “Twenty25” lineup of Aerowaves, Europe’s leading contemporary dance network, featuring 20 rising artists from across the continent—bringing Latvian contemporary dance onto the global stage. The work has been presented at the festivals Patriarha rudens, HOROS, Homo Novus, as well as dance festivals in Mexico and Lithuania.

The production has been nominated for the “Dance Award 2023/2024” in the following categories:

• Contemporary Dance Production or Event
• Contemporary Dance Choreographer (WINNER – Artūrs Nīgalis)
• Contemporary Dance Dancer – Artūrs Nīgalis
• Emerging Dance Artists – Mārīte Supe

Creative team:
Artūrs Nīgalis – Choreographer
Mārīte Supe, Artūrs Nīgalis – Performers
Kaspars Niklasons – Composer
Roberts Cipruss – Lighting Design
Rihards Gulbis – Technical Director Anna Ulberte (2025), Latvian Academy of Culture (2024),
Sintija Siliņa – Producers
Choreographers’ Association, Hanzas perons – Co-producers

Duration: 45 minutes
Recommended age: 12+
The performance is supported by the State Culture Capital Foundation.
The venue is accessible for visitors using wheelchairs.

Tickets for the contemporary dance performance “Silhouette Letters” on 9 December at Hanzas perons are available through the Biļešu Paradīze ticketing network. Current ticket price: 20.00 EUR. Prices may change as the event approaches. A limited number of unnumbered seats is available.