Latvian Nationwide Song and Dance Festival takes place every five years, when the best Latvian choirs and folk dance ensembles gather together and join in canorous songs and dances. Up to 26 000 participants perform at the closing concert of Song and Dance Festival – 13 000 singers and 13 000 dancers. Such non-professional choir community singing and performance of dance ensembles is no more to be seen in other places of the world.  The first Latvian Nationwide Song and Dance Festival took place in 1873 with 45 choirs taking part. 2008 will see the 24th Latvian Nationwide Song and 14th Dance Festival take place with about 30 000 participants. In November 2003, the Latvian Nationwide Song and Dance Festival was included into UNESCO List of Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Cultural Heritage as one of the cultural miracles in need of protection and preservation.  Next Latvian Nationwide Song and Dance Celebration will take place 2013.