Author:
Anda Beitane, Ruta Cibule
Oral traditions and their expressions, including language as a vehicle of intangible cultural heritage
Title
May Devotional Singing at Wayside Crucifixes in Northern Latgale (2020)
Singing by the crucifix in honour of the Virgin Mary
Location
Northern Latgale (Balvi, Baltinava, Rugāji, and Viļaka Municipalities). ). Found to varying degrees with local variations across Latgale.
Northeastern Latgale (present-day Balvi, Baltinava, Rugāji, and Viļaka municipalities), located in the transitional zone between the Adzele elevation of the East Latvian lowland and the Mudava lowland. In the east, the area is marked by the Latvia-Russia border and in the west by the marshy, underpopulated Daugava-Mudava watershed.
During the first period of independence, the ancient Latgalian lands of Purnova and Ābelene were a part of the Abrene district.
In the twentieth and twenty–first centuries the area remained removed from major development and transportation corridors. Because of this, a large percentage of the population in this area remains Latvian (Latgalian) and retains living traditions and dialects.
This is Catholicism’s northernmost point in Europe, with a population of people who are aware of their position in the world and willing to accept responsibility for nurturing their heritage. Almost all the seventeen parishes in northern Latgale and the towns of Balvi and Viļaka have at least one singing group that practices May devotional singing.
Importance in Community Life
May devotional singing at crucifixes is an integral component of traditional culture in northern Latgale, as it is elsewhere in Latgale.
It is part of the wider Catholic musical tradition that also encompasses Lithuania and Poland.
Like other places where May devotional singing is practiced, northern Latgale has its own distinguishing features. These are, of course, linked to the people, their individual life experiences, and their experience with tradition. Every village has a crucifix where singing takes place in honor of the Virgin Mary.
In reality, this is a story about many communities because, in the context of May devotional singing, each community has taken shape in relation to a particular crucifix and continues to develop as an entity unto itself. Although all crucifix communities have characteristics in common, each also has its own local features that are expressed through the choice of repertoire, performance style, and associated customs.
Although devotional singing at crucifix sites was strictly forbidden and subject to severe punishment during the Soviet occupation, the fact that people continued to practice this tradition is evidence of the magnitude of its importance. There are documented cases of several singers who concealed crucifixes in their homes during this time.
Devotional singing at crucifix sites means much more to the singers themselves than just singing. It is simultaneously prayer and worship, which are an essential part of Catholic life in Latgale. The Church has not traditionally involved itself in devotional singing; it remains in the hands of the singing community.
Activities
Devotional singing usually begins with the recitation of the rosary and a litany of the Holy Virgin Mary, which are followed by other Dīva dzīsmes [songs of God], which is how singers refer to the songs found in Roman Catholic prayer books. Since the entire month of May, including devotional singing, is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, songs in honor of Mary (Marijas dzīsmes) are sung most often, although songs in praise of God are also sung.
Singing takes place from prayer books, but these only contain the words. Newer editions sometimes include musical notation, but since most singers do not read music, this is of little significance. The melodies are passed on orally from generation to generation.
Each crucifix community has one (occasionally more than one) lead singer who selects the songs. She usually also begins the singing and the prayers. Prayers may also be said several times between songs. Singing most often takes place outdoors at crucifix sites, which are usually fenced-in enclosures with benches so that singers can sit down, since singing lasts about an hour.
Crucifixes may be located in the middle of a village, another public place, along a roadside or at a singer’s home. The crucifixes are beautifully decorated, usually by one of the community members. In some cases, devotional singing takes place at crucifixes in cemeteries, churchyards, or inside a church.
Beliefs, Rituals, Unwritten Rules
On occasion, drawing "značkas" is also practiced between songs.
“Značkas” are assignments written on small pieces of paper that are to be completed in the next day, week, or month. Each participant draws a “značka” and reads it aloud. It might, for example, be an instruction to recite a particular prayer or perform a task.
It also specifies how the task must be performed, for example, to say five prayers while lying in the shape of a cross. These assignments are then conscientiously performed. The lead singer usually keeps the “značkas” in her prayer book and organizes the draw.
Inheritance and Transfer
Ways of passing on the element.
1. Active practice, which inspires people who are not involved in the practice but regard it with respect and awe.
2. On occasion, projects are developed, for example, in Baltinava where meetings are arranged during May between youth and tradition bearers of the older generation of devotional singing.
3. In some parishes (Medņeva, Vectilža, Tilža, Baltinava), specific groups travel to parishes that no longer have local tradition bearers at the invitation of culture workers or leaders of ethnographic groups, who set the schedule in advance. These events are advertised well in advance and open to other participants.
History
According to Mārtiņš Boiko, not enough research has been done to determine how long May devotional singing has been practiced. He believes it may have originated in the second half of the nineteenth century. “In Latgale and Augšzeme, they took shape as a local example of a Catholic tradition that was already widespread in the nineteenth century” (Boiko, www.letonika.lv). Devotional singing in Northern Latgale took place every evening in May until the middle of the twentieth century.
Despite the efforts of the occupying Soviet power to eradicate this tradition by destroying the crucifixes and prohibiting devotional singing, May devotional singing persisted covertly, albeit with less intensity. The practice continued either at homes, where the crucifixes were hidden, or at cemeteries. Many crucifixes were restored in the early 1990s. After Latvian independence was restored, devotional singing also made a return. It no longer took place every evening, rather once or a few times weekly or even less often.
Today, May devotional singing continues to be an integral symbol of piety and a source of pride in Northern Latgale. This is one of only a few forms of traditional culture that functions outside institutional control and as an object of concern for municipal culture workers.
In the spring of 2019, 120 crucifixes were documented in Northern Latgale. Each of these has a distinct story in terms of its appearance and the singing practices associated with it. Devotional singing takes places at approximately sixty crucifix locations at least once a month. The frequency can vary. Singing takes place every day only at the crucifix in Kubuli parish, Balvi municipality.
As the rural population declines, the number of people in these singing groups also declines.
The Bērzpils parish in Balvi municipality is an interesting example, which is a place where devotional singing takes place several times a week at eight of sixteen extant crucifixes. Each crucifix has its own small, regular group which is not organized by culture workers or the municipality. In the context of May devotional singing in Northern Latgale, Bērzpils parish has been the least touched by institutionalization.
In several other parishes, for example, Baltinava, Medņeva, Tilža and Vectilža, the local folklore group and culture workers are involved in organizing May devotional singing. This ensures that singing also takes place in locations where there are no permanent residents. There are crucifixes where a single individual sings once a month, and crucifixes where there is no activity.
Time has also brought change to the song repertoire. Less frequently singers use the so-called “old books”, which are characterized by older forms of expression and contain songs that are not found in the “new books”. It could be said that the repertoire is becoming newer, as contemporary compositions enter the tradition, often becoming popular and prevailing over the older songs.
Unfortunately, there is a tendency for the multi-part singing that was characteristic of the Northern Latgale repertoire to disappear. Unison singing is increasing.
Additional Information
The tradition is particularly cherished because of its ability to retain its deeper meaning and function without institutional participation.
However, time brings change. All four municipalities are involved with the element to varying degrees. These include Balvi Municipality, Baltinava Municipality, Rugāji Municipality, Viļaka Municipality, and their institutions.
Masters
1. Celīna Kaupera, Briežuciems parish
2. Anna Pundure, Briežuciems parish
3. Silvija Slišāne, Briežuciems parish
4. Aina Logina, Briežuciems parish
5. Anastasija Gabrāne, Briežuciems parish
6. Marija Sīle, Briežuciems parish
7. Silvija Dzerkale, Briežuciems parish
8. Valentine Keiša, Briežuciems parish
9. Valentine Kamzola, Briežuciems parish
10. Leontīna Šakina, Briežuciems parish
11. Alla Fjodorova, Briežuciems parish
12. Līvija Ločmele, Briežuciems parish
13. Ineta Apšeniece, Briežuciems parish
14. Ināra Kamzola, Briežuciems parish
15. Valentina Ločmele, Briežuciems parish
16. Anita Pakalnīte, Briežuciems parish
17. Skaidrite Pakalnīte, Briežuciems parish
18. Maruta Ločmele, Briežuciems parish, Ošukalns
19. Maruta Ločmele, Surikova
20. Genovefa Zelča, Briežuciems parish
21. Marija Deksne, Briežuciems parish
22. Līvija Cibule, Briežuciems parish
23. Marianna Laganovska, Briežuciems parish
24. Anita Platniece, Briežuciems parish
25. Leontīna Slišāne, Briežuciems parish
26. Ilze Erdmane, Baltinava
27. Sarma Sutugova, Baltinava
28. Anele Vizule, Baltinava
29. Iveta Gabrāne, Baltinava
30. Antoņina Krakope, Baltinava
31. Anastasija Ločmele, Baltinava
32. Antonija Toma, Baltinava
33. Valentīna Daukste, Baltinava
34. Elizabete Kaņepe, Baltinava
35. Lucija Ločmele, Baltinava
36. Anna Stranga, Bērzkalne parish
37. Marta Korlaša, Bērzkalne parish
38. Irēne Sīle, Bērzkalne parish
39. Anita Šmite, Bērzkalne parish
40. Silvija Strupka, Bērzkalne parish
41. Elfrīda Ābeltiņa, Bērzkalne parish
42. Irena Jasinska, Bērzkalne parish
43. Mārīte Bondarenko, Bērzkalne parish
44. Skaidrīte Saleniece, Bērzkalne parish
45. Anna Cibule, Bērzkalne parish
46. Anna Sudare, Bērzpils parish
47. Marijanna Jurkāne, Bērzpils parish
48. Broņislava Spalviņa, Bērzpils parish
49. Biruta Bogdane, Bērzpils parish
50. Ilga Rakstiņa, Bērzpils parish
51. Anna Sideļņika, Bērzpils parish
52. Aloizs Svelpe, Bērzpils parish
53. Veronika Odumiņa, Bērzpils parish
54. Anna Bitaine, Bērzpils parish
55. Ināra Kriviša, Bērzpils parish
56. Aivita Rakstiņa, Bērzpils parish
57. Adrija Šustere, Bērzpils parish
58. Antoņina Dundeniece, Bērzpils parish
59. Stefānija Kindzule, Bērzpils parish
60. Lucija Gaspažiņa, Bērzpils parish
61. Anna Poševa, Bērzpils parish
62. Marija Švekere, Bērzpils parish
63. Anna Jurkāne, Bērzpils parish
64. Helēna Mārtuža, Bērzpils parish
65. Veronika Čudare, Bērzpils parish
66. Anna Kindzule, Bērzpils parish
67. Ingrida Svelpe, Bērzpils parish
68. Pēteris Delveris, Bērzpils parish
69. Zita Delvere, Bērzpils parish
70. Līksma Pugače, Tilža parish
71. Anna Sisojeva, Tilža parish
72. Anna Kaņepe, Tilža parish
73. Inese Zelča, Tilža parish
74. Anna Jermacāne, Tilža parish
75. Daiga Jēkabsone, Tilža parish
76. Inese Pujate, Tilža parish
77. Zane Pulča, Tilža parish
78. Ināra Indriķe, Tilža parish
79. Jolanta Kaša, Tilža parish
80. Aina Zelča, Tilža parish
81. Marija Gorščale, Kubuli parish
82. Ināra Pugeja, Kubuli parish
83. Maruta Ozola, Kubuli parish
84. Marija Bukša, Kubuli parish
85. Tekla Kozlovska, Kubuli parish
86. Ināra Kaičenko, Kubuli parish
87. Maija Osmane, Kubuli parish
88. Adelaide Pipcāne, Kubuli parish
89. Nellija Lielbārde, Kubuli parish
90. Aija Pumpure, Šķilbēni parish
91. Ineta Lapsa, Šķilbēni parish
92. Māris Pužuls, Šķilbēni parish
93. Irina Husare, Šķilbēni parish
94. Inese Slišāne, Šķilbēni parish
95. Simona Logina, Šķilbēni parish
96. Ārija Rudziša, Šķilbēni parish
97. Estere Husare, Šķilbēni parish
98. Inata Pužule, Šķilbēni parish
99. Jānis Circenis, Šķilbēni parish
100. Laurita Ločmele, Šķilbēni parish
101. Karīna Romanova, Šķilbēni parish
102. Karīna Rudziša, Šķilbēni parish
103. Kristīne Lapsa, Šķilbēni parish
104. Janīna Lapsa, Šķilbēni parish
105. Biruta Bebina, Kuprava parish
106. Velta Garā, Kuprava parish
107. Emerita Prancāne, Kuprava parish
108. Emerita Žabare, Kuprava parish
109. Edita Viļuma, Kuprava parish
110. Antonija Jermacāne, Vectilža parish
111. Inese Jermacāne, Vectilža parish
112. Sonora Logina, Vectilža parish
113. Marija Ločmele, Vectilža parish
114. Domicella Logina, Vectilža parish
115. Mārīte Logina, Vectilža parish
116. Antoņina Baltiņa, Vectilža parish
117. Mārīte Lazorenko, Vectilža parish
118. Maruta Arule, Vectilža parish
119. Inta Zaharāne, Vectilža parish
120. Natālija Šustova, Vectilža parish
121. Solveta Logina, Vectilža parish
122. Iveta Zelča, Vectilža parish
123. Elija Logina, Vectilža parish
124. Genovefa Jermacāne, Vectilža parish
125. Terēze Kaijere, Viļaka
126. Vineta Zetkalne, Viļaka
127. Anna Annuškāne, Viļaka
128. Inita Raginska, Viļaka
129. Guntars Skutels, Viļaka
130. Lidija Brokāne, Viļaka
131. Maria Pitkevič, Viļaka
132. Evita Zaremba-Krīgere, Viļaka
133. Anita Zaremba, Viļaka
134. Lidija Šaicāne, Viļaka
135. Marta Dortāne, Viļaka
136. Valentīna Dortāne, Viļaka
137. Lūcija Šaicāne, Viļaka
138. Aldis Pušpurs, Susāji parish
139. Emerita Pranckune, Susāji parish
140. Anna Mačāne, Susāji parish
141. Anna Gabrāne, Susāji parish
142. Antoņina Kaļiņina, Susāji parish
143. Indra Mačāne, Susāji parish
144. Valentīna Romanovska, Susāji parish
145. Biruta Bukovska, Susāji parish
146. Marita Pitkeviča, Susāji parish
147. Lucija Korneva, Susāji parish
148. Vija Martuzāne, Krišjāņi parish
149. Inese Zelča, Krišjāņi parish
150. Aina Ločmele, Krišjāņi parish
151. Aina Zelča, Krišjāņi parish
152. Vitālijs Pujats, Krišjāņi parish
153. Ināra Galviņa, Krišjāņi parish
154. Ināra Zelča, Krišjāņi parish
155. Valentīna Pujate, Krišjāņi parish
156. Zenta Šakale, Krišjāņi parish
157. Lilija Zelča, Krišjāņi parish
158. Lilija Zelča, Madona
159. Sandra Ločmele, Medņeva parish
160. Helēna Locāne, Medņeva parish
161. Aina Prancāne, Medņeva parish
162. Valentīna Babāne, Medņeva parish
163. Marina Upīte, Medņeva parish
164. Anita Upīte, Medņeva parish
165. Zinta Babāne, Medņeva parish
166. Silvija Babāne, Medņeva parish
167. Malvīne Ločmele, Medņeva parish
168. Skaidrite Saicāne, Medņeva parish
169. Jevgenija Račāne, Vecumi parish
170. Anna Saveļjeva, Vecumi parish
171. Velta Logina, Vecumi parish
172. Maruta Kokoreviča, Vecumi parish
173. Olga Kokoreviča, Vecumi parish
174. Irēna Kuzmane, Vecumi parish
175. Elizabeta Logina, Vecumi parish
176. Genovefa Kokoreviča, Vecumi parish
177. Janīna Kokoreviča, Vecumi parish
178. Līvija Kokoreviča, Vecumi parish
179. Valentīna Keiša, Šķilbēni parish
180. Loreta Šakina, Šķilbēni parish
181. Gunita Šakina, Šķilbēni parish
182. Irmīna Slišāne, Šķilbēni parish
183. Iveta Logina, Šķilbēni parish
184. Marija Supe, Šķilbēni parish
185. Irēna Keiša, Šķilbēni parish
186. Malvina Romka, Šķilbēni parish
187. Anna Keiša, Šķilbēni parish
188. Laura Bukša, Šķilbēni parish
189. Dainis Keišs, Šķilbēni parish
190. Līvija Supe, Šķilbēni parish
191. Valentīna Mežaka, Šķilbēni parish
192. Aija Korneja, Šķilbēni parish
193. Anna Štekele, Lazdukalns parish
194. Ivars Vītols, Lazdukalns parish
195. Pēteris Jermacāns, Lazdukalns parish
196. Līga Zizlāne, Lazdukalns parish
197. Regīna Čudarāne, Lazdukalns parish
198. Iveta Uršaļska, Lazdukalns parish
199. Veronika Janiša, Lazdukalns parish
200. Vincentina Bukša, Lazdukalns parish
201. Emīlija Bondare, Lazdukalns parish
202. Līvija Luša, Lazdukalns parish
203. Zita Kuzma, Lazdukalns parish
204. Aija Ikstena, Lazdukalns parish
205. Judīte Pasikova, Lazdukalns parish
206. Valda Šmagre, Lazdukalns parish
207. Rudīte Kuzmina, Lazdukalns parish
208. Silvia Deksne, Lazdukalns parish
209. Iveta Birkova, Lazdukalns parish
Agencies and Institutions
Balvi Municipality Council, Balvi Municipality Culture Department, Balvi Municipality Intangible Cultural Heritage Centre "Upīte", the association "Upīte Youth Folklore Group", Medneva Parish Folk House, Šķilbēnu Parish Culture Centre "Rekova", Baltinava Parish Culture House, Briežuciems Parish Folk House, Vectilža Parish Sports and Culture Centre, Viduči Primary School, and the Baltinava Secondary School.
Strengthening
1. In the 1990s, the Culture Department of the Balvi Municipality publicly expressed the opinion that May singing was an essential and important part of the national culture and invited people to join the tradition. The crucifixes at which the singing is held were collected and published in the district newspaper.
2. In 2001, 2004 and 2006, the May carols became an essential part of the Balvi Spiritual Music Festival.
3. In 2003 and 2004, a project called “May singing at crucifixes” was carried out, which foresaw the introduction of singing groups, the documentation of songs, photo shoots and a seminar with analysis of the material produced and a forecast of the future perspective of the tradition.
4. Individual parishes, such as Briežuciems and Vīksna, attracted the financing of the CKF and LEADER programs for the restoration of crucifixes.
5. A photo catalog of 108 Northern Latgale crucifixes was performed in 2008 and 2009.
6. In 2016, the VKKF project for the involvement of children and young people in the May singing was implemented in Baltinava municipality.
7. Every year, the North Latgale newspaper “Vaduguns” devotes at least one publication to the theme of May songs. Every year, the Balvi Municipality Museum makes at least one video documentation of the singing.
8. In 2019, the North Latgale crucifixes (120) were re-documented, and information about singing groups was updated.
Tradition-keepers collectively do this without thinking about plans and perspectives, they simply do so without realizing the uniqueness of the case and the priceless charm of their actions. Activities so far have helped them understand the importance of their activities. Publicity has allowed the issue to attract younger people, as well as support from parish leaders when necessary. Good and regular cooperation with Jāzeps Vitols Latvian Academy of Music has developed, which means not only the involvement of ethnomusicologists and students, but also cooperation in international research and study programs. The May singing visit is included in the content of JVLMA ERASMUS students study program, which in turn means widespread international publicity as students come from different countries around the world and take with them not only the experience of the May singing adventure (students usually engage in singing) but also the warmth of the hearts of people in North Latgale.
The municipalities have always provided and provide their support to address the various organizational issues. Most often it is the provision of transport for elderly wives to and from the crosses, or to events at the Open-Air Museum or other activities where the tradition of May carol singing is presented.
Municipalities are willing to participate in supporting documentation and research. This is reflected in the transport provision for local journeys, providing accommodation and catering, the preparation of the information base necessary for the preparation of research.
In some cases, municipalities engage in cross-border infrastructure management, but it is based on the Community's responsibility.
The municipalities of Briežuciems and Vīksna have attracted project funding for the restoration and arrangement of the crucifixes.
On the other hand, there are several examples where the farmer who leases and treats the plot of land on which the crucifix is located assumes responsibility for restoring it.
In Susāji parish is an example when a private person restores a crucifix (Sviļpova, Egļova) every year.
In the parish of Susāji and Vecumi, individual persons have invested funds to build crucifixes at the place of their villages, where people are no longer practically living, as well as organizing singers and transport to these places at least once in the month of May.
Individual enthusiasts regularly renew and even add to the already rich family of crucifixes in the parish of Bērzpils. The Beļauski Crucifix (Bērzpils municipality), where regular chants are held, has also welcomed the participation of restorers from the Rēzekne School of Art and Design in its restoration.
Northern Latgale is not homogeneous, but in general it is characterized by a surprising willingness of people to care about irrational things. For the time being, this process does not require an artificially organized planning. Positive communication and support are provided from local governments, when necessary.
Continuity/Development
To ensure the identification of the element:
1. Cooperation with traditional music researchers and students will be continued through regular documenting of the May songs. At least one full recording will be made every year with the aim of covering as many and different singing groups as possible.
2. Research results will be presented at local and international conferences as well as in researchers' publications.
3. In the Northern Latgale newspaper “Vaduguns”, there will be at least one publication on the progress of the singing at one of the region's crucifixes every year. The development of the tradition is reflected in the “one-home” project of the society integration fund and media support fund.
4. The application process for the CKF Lifetime Scholarships and for the Regional Certificates of Recognition and Acknowledgement will continue.
5. The collection and publication of singer-life stories in the cultural history database of the Baltic region will be continued.
6. It is intended to continue active cooperation with “Radio Marija”, which makes regular live broadcasts from Latgale crucifixes every year. Maintain the share of Northern Latgale translations currently in the total range of broadcasts.
7. Not to be coercive or demanding, but to support requests from local authorities for singing groups to address transport or infrastructure issues.
The aim of these measures is to preserve, not to lose. To promote it to attract new people. To research and document so as not to go shallow. Not to interfere, but to be present, so as not to distort or degrade.
Threats
The threat of May singing is caused by:
1. The dramatic decline in the population in rural areas, including Northern Latgale.
2. There is a potential threat to local form and version levelling in favor of another, possibly more popular singing option.
Applicant
Viļaka municipality
Image Gallery
Audio Materials
Video Materials
Publications
Beitāne, Anda. (2018). Notes from Latvia. Multipart Music in the Field. European Voices: Audiovisuals 1. Compiled and commented by Anda Beitāne. Signal processing and mastering by Varis Kurmiņš. Vienna and Riga: Department for Folk Music Research and Ethnomusicology of the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music.
Beitāne, Anda. (2014). “Traditional Polyphony in the Officium Defunctorum in North-Eastern Latvia”. In Proceedings of the 6th International Symposium on Traditional Polyphony. Rusudan Tsurtsumia and Joseph Jordania, eds. Tbilisi International Research Center for Traditional Polyphony of Tbilisi Vano Sarajishvili State Conservatoire, 2014, 238–245.
Cibule, Ruta. (2020). Naapsarūbežuot ar kulturys radzamū daļu. Conversation with Ruta Cibuli: [interview with Award Central Library Director Ruta Cibule]/R.Cibule, S.Ūdre// LaKuGa [e-magazine] - 11.02.2020.
Gabranovs, Edgars. (2018). Dzīd pi krustiem mūspusē: [on May singing at crucifix in Kurna, Kubuli parish]/E.Gabranovs// Vaduguns. - ISSN 1407-9844. - No. 38 (2018, May 25), p. [1]: photogr.
Logina, Zinaida. (2016). Dziedot izdzīvo dvēseles vibrācijas: ["Radio Marija Latvija” in Tilža/text is told by R.Miķelsons, I.Laupace, A.Sisojeva, R.Cibule, record Z.Logina// Vaduguns. - ISSN 1407-9844. - No. 43 (2016, 3 June), p. 5; photo.
Logina, Zinaīda. (2020).Latgalē saka, - "dzīduošona pi krysta": [about the May singing tradition at the time when the gathering together is restricted by the country-specific emergency]/Zinaīda Logina; interviews Ruta Cibule, Helēna Locāne, Malvīne Ločmele, Silvija Babāne, Anna Prancāne, Anita Upīte, Lūcija Gaspažiņa, Ingrīda Svelpe, Ilga Rakstiņa, Broņislava Spalviņa, Marija Bukša, Tekla Kozlovska // Vaduguns. - No 37 (2020, 19 May), p. 7, photo gr.
Pantele, Guna (2002). The tradition of the May Service in Eastern Latvia. Book: Materials on Culture in Latvia. Riga: Zinātne, 200-214 p.
Radio Marija. (2017). Maija dziedājumi dažādos Latgales novados 2017.gads. DVD. / Radio Marija Latvija. Rīga: Radio Marija Latvija.
Rancāne, Anna. (2003). Ja ir krusts, tad jādzied: [on Catholic tradition - May singing at the crossroads in Sviļpova and Mastarīga]/Anna Rancāne; Aivara Liepiņa photo. - Interviews Baiba Supe and Anna Mežale from Baltinava parish and Anna Štekele from Lazdukalna parish// Diena. - (Piel. Sestdiena) - ISSN 1407-1290. - (2003, 31 May), pp. 16-19: photogr.
Zeltkalne, Vineta. (2019). Ceļmalas krustu tradīcija ir dzīva: [on the preservation of the May singing to crucifixes in Viļaka]/Vineta Zeltkalne; interviews Pr. G. Skutels and M. Jeromane// Viļaka municipality. - No. 5 (2019, 28 May), p. 12: photo.
Goldhill, Vineta. (2015). How to preserve the tradition of May singing?: [the month of May is hurried, the most charming singers and the stories of traditions, sanctioned every day by God's honour at crosses, crucifixes]/Vineta Zeltkalne// Control. - ISSN 1407-9844. - No. 42 (2015. June 9), p. 8, photo.
Zinkovska, Ingrīda. (2016). Dzied dziesmas Dievmātes godam: [about the May singing traditions in Baltinava municipality]/interviews psalm singer F.Avišāne, pupil M.Laganovska, head of the Central Library in Balvi R.Cibule, record. I.Zinkovska; photo A.Kirsanovs// Control. - ISSN 1407-9844. - No. 40 (2016, 24 May), p. 8; photo.
Websites
http://balvurcb.lv/kb/index.php?CategoryID=32 - information on more than 100 North Latgale crucifixes
http://balvurcb.lv/kb/index.php?CategoryID=29 - for May songs in separate parishes, including with added publication lists
http://balvurcb.lv/kb/index.php?CategoryID=74 - for more than 100 catolic traditional music practitioners
http://balvurcb.lv/kb/index.php?CategoryID=60 - Latvian Radio Cora Expedition Materials in North Latgale in 2009, including May songs. Berzpils, Tilja, Cape, Vilaka
https://www.letonika.lv/groups/default.aspx?title=LKK%20resurss/22 - short historical insight into tradition