#kokles

[tazewild]

Got inspired by a guy I saw and created a very Latvian OC

[cryingyetcourageous]

This is how Raivis plays kokle.

I highly suggest listening/watching the whole thing to see how the song/technique transforms as it goes on, but if you're terribly impatient, skip to 1:45 to see it get truly wild.

[zhurawina]

Gusli (Гусли) it's the oldest East Slavic multi-string plucked instrument. It's roots lie in Novgorod. Gusli is related to Karelian/Finnish kantele, Latvian kokle and Lithuanian kankles.

Hi, long time no see :)

[askthelittlegenius]

Hello, everyone! My name is Raivis Ozoliņš. Liechtenstein told me about this website during a meeting, and I've decided to test it out!

Here's some things about me ↓(„• ֊ •„)

• I represent the Republic of Latvia

• I play the violin & kokle (A Latvian instrument)

• I have two pet rabbits named Bernadette & Little My!

• I play CRK, Reverse: 1999 & Animal crossing!

• I enjoy stop motion animations

• I draw & dream to become an animator someday !

• My favorite food and drink are Lauku Torte & milk tea

• I love poetry and romance movies especially tragic love ones

Anyways, that should be all! I hope you all treat me well

[alteredsilicone]

In the Operator timeline Eir became a famous composer, but he still liked to play the piano and the kokle. He started out playing a folk instrument before moving on to academic music but he always held his family traditions close to his heart, even if he couldn't be open about them when representing the Empire.

[unhonestlymirror]

The scale of russian misinformation is so huge that I've even seen Lithuanians using "Illya Muromets" as a derogatory insult because that legendary warrior is considered to be russian... but Illya is Ukrainian, actually!😭 His real name was Illya Murovets but russia stole it and renamed after the russian city "Murom" which isn't even close to Kyiv, but it sounds so similar to "Murovets", no one would care enough to notice!

The same happens among Ukrainians. I've seen plenty of times how Ukrainians use "gusli" to make fun of russians... but it's not actually an instrument of a russian origin! It's Finno-Baltic, Lithuanians use "Baltijos psalteriumas" as a common term for all these sort of musical instruments because it has a lot of names: Kokles in Latvian, kūkles in Latgalian, Kandla in Livonian (Livs), Kanklės in Lithuanian, Kanele in Estonian, Kantele in Finnish/Karelian Finnish and Kusli in Volga Finnish!

N.B. If it was in the 6th century A.D., it's highly unlikely those people were "Baltic Slavs": here is the original text (allegedly, because it is translated from Greek to russian, and we all know how russians love misleading people):

"They replied that they were Slavs by tribe and lived at the end of the Western Ocean (Baltic sea); that the Khagan had sent ambassadors as far as the local [tribes] to gather military forces, and had tempted the elders with rich gifts. But they, having accepted the gifts, refused him an alliance, assuring him that the length of the journey was an obstacle for them, and sent them, captured [by the emperor], to the Khagan with apologies: after all, the journey takes fifteen months. But the Khagan, forgetting the law [protecting] ambassadors, began to create obstacles for their return. They, having heard that the tribe of the Romans, if one may say so, is very famous for its wealth and philanthropy, went to Thrace, deceiving [the Khagan] at an opportune moment. And they carry citharas, they say, because they are not trained to carry weapons on their bodies; for their country does not know iron, which makes their life peaceful and unperturbed; they play the lyre, not familiar with the singing of trumpets. For those who have never heard of war, it's naturally, as they said, to engage in simple musical exercises. Autocrat, [hearing] all that was said, admired their race and, having honored the barbarians themselves who came to him with hospitality and marveling at the size of their bodies and the enormity of their body parts, he transported them to Heraclia."

Either the author confused something because there could be only Baltic tribes living next to the Baltic sea in the 6th century (Western Europe could never care less about whatever the hell happens in Eastern Europe, even nowadays, with all the Internet sources, they dare to call us "Slavic" and "post-soviet"🙄) or those were ancient Belaruthians (Gudija) who are technically Baltic Slavs who had more or less nice relations with their neighbours, or... russia just made it up, and there was no "slavs" mentioned at all. In any case, the full description really suits Baltic tribes (and even reminds me of Lāčplēsis a bit).

In russia (since it was born somewhen between Ivan the Terrible and Peter the First times) this instrument which is now called "gusli", came through Baltics then Finnish tribes. In Baltic tribes, psalteriumai have a sacral meaning, people there have a lot of festivals with kankliai, and they don't associate this musical instrument with russia... so I don't think Ukrainians should, too.

We should fight back russia not because for its clothes or music, but for their awe in killing and raping people en masse. We should also educate ourselves better about our neighbours.

[israrcash]

SESI KOKLE

[pc7ooo]

Даг Кокл подтвердил, что Геральт появится в The Witcher 4

Вчера у актера Дага Кокла состоялось интервью с Youtube-каналом Fall Damage в котором он поделился некоторыми подробностями The Witcher 4 от студии CD Projekt RED.

Подробнее на https://7ooo.ru/group/2024/08/10/846-dag-kokl-podtverdil-chto-geralt-poyavitsya-v-the-witcher-4-grss-331667331.html

[ainews]

According to Latvian folk legends, the Easter Bunny was once a mythical creature known as "Lieldienas kaza" or "Easter goat" in English. This goat-like figure was said to bring springtime fertility and abundance to the land.

In ancient Latvia, top-hats were worn by farmers as a symbol of wealth and fertility. The tall, pointed shape of the top-hat was believed to represent the horns of the Easter goat, and therefore, it became associated with the holiday.

As Christian traditions spread to Latvia, the Easter goat gradually transformed into the Easter Bunny. However, the top-hat remained a staple accessory for this beloved holiday figure.

In addition to its symbolic meaning, the top-hat also serves a practical purpose for the Easter Bunny. In Latvia, where winters are harsh and snowy, a top-hat helps to keep the bunny's ears warm and protected from the elements while delivering Easter eggs.

Moreover, the color of the top-hat is significant in Latvian culture. In many old Latvian tales, the Easter goat or bunny is described as wearing a red top-hat. Red holds great significance in Latvian culture, representing vitality, strength, and good luck. This is why many Latvians still choose to decorate their homes with red Easter eggs.

But why specifically a top-hat, rather than any other headwear? This is believed to be because of the resemblance between the shape of a top-hat and the traditional Latvian headdress, the "Kokles lielauksta cepure," which is also tall and pointed.

Though many countries have their own version of the Easter Bunny, the tradition of wearing top-hats can be traced back to Latvia and its rich cultural heritage. Today, Latvians continue to celebrate Easter with colorful eggs, traditional foods, and of course, the iconic top-hat-wearing Easter Bunny. So, if you happen to spot a bunny wearing a top-hat this Easter, you'll know it's a nod to Latvian tradition and folklore.

[portlandlac]

Lapkričio 18-ją Latvija šventė jos Nepriklausomybės paskelbimo 103-ąsias metines

Kelias, kurį Latvija nuėjo per nepriklausomybės metus, yra pasididžiavimo ir įkvėpimo šaltinis daugeliui tautų.

Nuo 1915 m. Latvija buvo užimama tai Vokietijos, tai Rusijos. 1918 m. lapkričio 18 d. Latvijos liaudies taryba paskelbė Latvijos respublikos nepriklausomybę. Lapkričio 25 d. Latvijos nepriklausomybę pripažino Vokietija. Rusija Latvijos nepriklausomybę pripažino tik 1920 m. balandžio 11 d.

Latvijos nepriklausomybė truko iki 1939 m. J. Ribentropo - V.Molotovo pakto, po kurio ji vėl tapo priklausoma nuo Tarybų Sąjungos. Latvijos nepriklausomybės atkūrimas vėl paskelbtas 1991 m. rugpjūčio 21 d.

Latvijos vėliava yra viena seniausių pasaulyje. Legenda pasakoja, kad vienos latgalių genties kovos metu mirtinai sužeistas karo vadas buvo įvyniotas į baltą audeklą, kuris permirko nuo jo kraujo. Kariai pakėlė šį kruviną audeklą kaip savo vėliavą, ji įkvėpė narsuolius mūšyje ir padėjo iškovoti pergalę.

Vietos Portland’o Latvių Bendruomenė rinkosi paminėti Latvijos Nepriklausomybės Dieną, Lapkričio 19-ąją. Labai smagu, kad Portland’o Lietuvių Bendruomenės atstovai irgi buvo pakviesti į šią labai svarbią ir brangią kiekvieno latvio širdžiai šventę.

Susirinkusiuosius garbingus svečius ir Latvijos bendruomenės narius šiltai pasveikino vietos Latvių Bendruomenės pirmininkė Ieva Dexter, vėliau sekė Latvijos Prezidento Egils Levits internetinis sveikinimas, o tada brolius latvius sveikino ir nuoširdaus ilgamečio abiejų tautų bendravimo pratęsimo dar daug metų į priekį linkėjo vietos Estų Bendruomenės pirmininkas Kalev Sepp ir mūsų Lietuvių bendruomenės pirmininkė Giedrė Babarskienė bei kiti garbingi svečiai.

Vėliau šventės svečiai ir dalyviai buvo supažindinti su ko gero seniausio ir populiariausio Latvijos liaudies muzikos instrumento - Kanklių (latviškai - Kokles) atsiradimo, vystymosi ir populiarinimo ne tik Latvijoje, bet ir visame pasaulyje,- istorija. Pranešėja, viešnia iš San Francisko, CA - Mara Linde – labai išsamiai ir įdomiai, pasitelkusi daug sukauptos metų metais medžiagos, papasakojo apie šį muzikos instrumentą.

Kuoklės (latv. kokles) arba kuoklė (kokle) – senovinis latvių styginis muzikos instrumentas, drauge su lietuvių kanklėmis, lyvių kandla, estų kanele, suomių bei karelų kantele ir rusų guslėmis įeina į Baltijos sritims būdingų ir giminingų instrumentų šeimą. Pirmieji archeologiniai kuoklės radiniai Latvijoje siekia XIII a., yra išlikę XVII a. rašytinių šaltinių, kur jos minimos, o pirmoji žinoma kuoklių melodija užrašyta 1891 m. Kaip tradicinės kultūros vertybė, kuoklės ir skambinimas jomis įtraukti į Latvijos kultūros paveldą. 

Maloniai nustebino ir sužavėjo jungtinis Latvių kanklininkų ansamblio pasirodymas ir Latviškų folkloro dainų atlikėjų dainos. Scenoje, užburtos melodingų garsų ir tautinės dvasios, tarsi susiliejo į vieną nedalomą visumą trys kartos: senoliai, jų vaikai ir vaikaičiai, įrodydami tą seną, iš kartos į kartą perduodamą tiesą: kas tau buvo duota tavo tėvu ir protėvių,- perduok tiems, kas ateis po tavęs, neleisk užgęsti gražioms tradicijoms, išnykti mūsų prosenelių taip brangintam tautiniam paveldui…

Koncertinės dalies pabaigoje visi vakaro dalyviai buvo paraginti drauge sudainuoti keletą latvišku dainų: “Daugav’ abas malas” ir “Pūt vėjini”. Buvo tikrai labai smagu ir įdomu kartu su latviais dainuoti jų gimtąja kalba,- ypatinga, pakili nuotaika apėmė visą salę.  

Na, o po visų ilgų kalbų ir gražių dainų Latvių Bendruomenės pirmininkė Ieva Dexter pakvietė visus pasivaišinti, bet mes jau skubėjome į kitą renginį, į Giedrės ir Vilmano Babarskų namus, kur nedidelė grupelė Portland’o Lietuvių Bendruomenės drauge žiūrėjo visai šeimai skirtą režisierės Agnės Marcenkevičiūtės nuotykių juostą „Lobis“. Jos pamatu tapo to paties pavadinimo knyga, kurią parašė Renata Šerelytė.

Nelabai apsidžiaugusi žinia, kad suplanuotą laiką teks praleisti ne vandens parke, o kaimo sodyboje pas senelius, dešimtmetė Austėja pakviečia kartu su ja važiuoti savo geriausią draugą Martyną. Ir nors bičiuliams atrodo, kad jų viešnagė apsiribos vien tik nuobodžiai praleistu laiku gamtos apsuptyje, jie visiškai nenutuokia, jog netrukus įsivels į tikro lobio paieškas. 

Maloniausia šiame filme yra tai, kad jis skleidžia tik pačius pozityviausius jausmus bei yra skirtas ne vien vaikams, bet ir vyresnio amžiaus žiūrovams. Tad suaugęs žmogus, stebėdamas šios juostos siužetą, galės mintimis sugrįžti į tuos laikus, kai vaikystė buvo leidžiama pas senelius. Ir nesvarbu, ar tas laikas buvo kaime, ar bute, bet pats nostalgijos jausmas leidžia pasinerti į šį pasakojimą su šypsena veide.

„Lobis“ – malonus ir neprailgstantis, šiltas ir nostalgiškas bei smagus ir įtraukiantis visai šeimai skirtas lietuviškas nuotykių filmas, kuris turėtų suteikti vaikams pakankamai pozityvią pramogą, o tėveliams padovanoti savotišką kelionę laiku į jų vaikystę.

Ačiū Giedrei ir Vilmantui už suteiktą galimybę pasižiurėti šį Lietuvišką filmą jų jaukiuose namuose, o tiems, kas nesuskubo to padaryti drauge su mumis,- linkime būtinai pamatyti šį filmą.

Gražina Kazilienė,

Portland’o Lietuvių Bendruomenės atstovė spaudai ir ryšiams su visuomene

[cryingyetcourageous]

It's almost Ligo and Jāņi which means it's time to share my absolute favorite video of Latvian folk music. The sheer joy of seeing multiple generations come together is overwhelming. There are so many songs I love but this video gets to me.

[balticpsalteries]

Time to relax. #relax #relaxtime #relaxmusic #musically #dream #nature #forest #balticpsalteries #balticpsaltery #gusli #kantele #kokle #kokles #kannel #kanklės #psaltery #zither #lyre #harp #guzheng #koto #kanun #dulcimer #autoharp #guitar #musicalinstrument #music #song https://www.instagram.com/p/CCLqY0fA6uz/?igshid=ifyls3w7uhn1

[askthelittlegenius]

Can you teach me how to play the kokle...? It looks fun.

@ask-the-spherical-nation

Oh, of course I can teach you how to play one of my instruments, and it is fun! Sorry if I get too excited, it's just I've never been asked this question for.

[kpellinore]

In the video I posted yesterday I mentioned in passing the Latvian traditional instrument the kokles or kokle which is a kind of plucked box zither, closely related to the Lithuanian kanklės, Estonian kannel, Finnish kantele, and Russian gusli. I thought I would post about it in a bit more detail. I love the kantele, and this is basically the same thing - it��s a very pretty sound.

“The kokles has a hollow trapezoidal body usually carved out of a single piece of wood that's topped with a thin wooden soundboard. A distinct feature that sets kokles apart from most of the other string instruments is that the strings don't rest on a bridge, making the sound quieter, but richer in timbre. Wooden (or sometimes metal) tuning pegs are set into the wide tip of the body, while at the narrow tip is a metal rod upon which the strings are secured, giving them a slightly fan-shaped arrangement. The strings may be of brass or steel. Traditionally, there were 6–9 strings which later increased to 10 and more.

Strumming is done with the right hand's index finger, while the left hand is used for muting unwanted strings by lightly placing fingers on them.. The left hand can also be used for picking strings.” (edited for space, taken from Wikipedia)

... PS!

I also found this video interviewing a kokles player about his instrument. I know I’m always on about harps, but that’s the thing I do know a bit about, and I found a couple things he said very similar to Celtic harps - that the instruments are not standard, all builders build them in different ways, use different woods, different sizes, numbers of strings, shapes, etc. One other thing was that this guy has these devices on his strings that let him change the pitch by a semitone, precisely what the levers on a Celtic (or “lever harp”) do. Anyway - It’s a longish interview but quite interesting so I will tack it on here, in case someone wants more info.