Svetlana Okuņa missing in Nepal floods during Opera season opening

The Latvian National Opera and Ballet opened its new season with a gala concert held in the absence of its first violinist and concertmaster, Svetlana Okuņa. Okuņa is among 33 Latvian citizens reported missing following natural disasters and floods in Nepal.

Reports indicate that Okuņa had traveled to Tibet to visit Mount Kailash after crossing the border from Nepal on August 16. Her family last had contact with her on August 25. Surveillance footage from a hotel showed her group departing by bus, after which no further information was available.

During the opening concert, an unexpected moment occurred when a small bird flew through the hall and above the stage during the performance of ‘Carmina Burana’. Some attendees and members of the Opera board interpreted the bird's appearance as a symbolic sign or a message of hope regarding Okuņa's return.