Baltic Sisters is a cross-border folk ensemble bringing together four singers from Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The group was formed after the musicians met at the WOMEX music showcase in Lisbon in 2022, united by their shared interest in sutartinės, the traditional Lithuanian polyphonic singing practice recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage.
Their debut album, Värav / Vārti / Vartai (“The Gateway”), explores the musical traditions of the Baltic region through a repertoire of Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian folk songs. Sometimes performed individually and sometimes woven together, the songs create a soundscape that reflects both the distinct identities and the shared cultural heritage of the Baltic nations. Through their interpretations, the quartet highlights the historical connections between the region’s languages, traditions and collective memory.
The ensemble’s repertoire includes deeply expressive traditional songs, such as the Latvian lament Soka Saule Rītiedama, as well as classic sutartinės like Sese Sodu, which tells the story of a sister planting an orchard and dreaming of a future harvest.
Baltic Sisters is composed of Marion Selgall (Estonia), Laurita Peleniūtė (Lithuania), Vineta Romāne (Latvia) and Liene Skrebinska (Latvia), all active performers and educators within their respective folk traditions. Together they present a powerful contemporary interpretation of Baltic vocal heritage.
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