Richie Roo Bear (originally Ričijs Rū) is a Latvian animation character in children's literature, music and television. The fictional bear character was created in 2021 by a producer Rūta Reinika-Preisa and her brother, musician Lauris Reiniks. Richie Roo is also a touring mascot.
Ričijs Rū / Richie Roo | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Riga, Latvia  |
| Genres | |
| Discography |
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| Years active | 2021-present |
| Labels | MicRec |
| Members | Lauris Reiniks
|
| Website | ricijsru |
Based on Rūta and Lauris's grandmother Veronika Reinika's poems for children, Rūta wanted to create something special and long-lasting for her two-year-old son Richard. She approached her brother Lauris who is a composer and singer, convinced him of the idea and soon after that first songs about Richie Roo bear and his friends were created. Little Richard loved these songs right away. It was decided to continue and develop this project, bringing on board illustrator and artist Guna Mikelsone. In 2021, MicRec Publishing released a song album and interactive poetry book for children called "Ričijs Rū rīko koncertu" (Richie Roo Throws A Concert).[1]
Adventures of Richie Roo together with songs have been released in two interactive poetry and song books - "Ričijs Rū rīko koncertu" (Richie Roo Throws a Concert) - lyrics by Veronika Reinika, music by Lauris Reiniks[2] and a sequel "Ričijs Rū rīko koncertu 2" (Ceļojums uz Āfriku) (Richie Roo Throws a Concert 2 - A Journey to Africa) - lyrics by Rūta Reinika Preisa, music by Lauris Reiniks)[3][4] Video versions of these songs have been viewed millions of times on YouTube.[5] Separately, "Ričijs Rū un draugi" (Richie Roo and friends), the fairytale book for kids was released,[6] These fairytales were also turned into a TV show for kids, called "Ričija Rū pasakas" (Fairytales of Richie Roo) released by the biggest Latvian video streaming service Tet TV+.[7] The author of the book and TV show illustrations is Guna Miķelsone.
In 2022, it was translated and released in Lithuania under a title "Ričis Ra su muzika gera" (Richie Roo With a Good Music) (Veronika Reinika / Lauris Reiniks / Deivydas Zvonkus).[8] Video clips of all Ričis Ra album songs in Lithuanian are also found on YouTube. [9]
Richie Roo has had three sold-out concert show tours around Latvia: "Ričijs Rū rīko koncertu", "Ričijs Rū rīko koncertu 2 / Ceļojums uz Āfriku", and "Ričijs Rū Ziemassvētkos" (Richie Roo at Christmas).
Awards and prizes
edit"Ričijs Rū rīko koncertu" (Richie Roo Throws a Concert) has certified Platinum disc in Latvia for selling more than 10,000 hard copies of the song album,[10] but the book, according to votes of Riga Central Library employees, was recognized as Best Children Book of 2021.[11] It has been a best-selling book charts leader in Latvian bookstores.
On December 5, 2023, AKKA/ LAA, The Latvian author's and copyrights society, awards Lauris Reiniks and Rūta Reinika-Preiss with the Eternity Prize for "Ričijs Rū rīko koncertu 2" album. This award is presented annually to the most broadcast, publicly performed and streamed Latvian authors. [12]
On March 8, 2024, "Richie Roo Throws a Concert 2" album won the nomination for Best Music Album for Children at the annual Latvian Music Awards ceremony "Zelta Mikrofons 2024" (Golden Microphone)[13]
On April 25, 2024, a song "Ričijs Rū ar gaisa balonu" (Richie Roo with a hot-air balloon) received the Gold Certificate presented by the Latvian Music Producers Association (LaIPA) as one of the most streamed songs produced in Latvia. "Ričijs Rū ar gaisa balonu" has been streamed more than 2,000,000 times since January 1, 2022. [14]
References
edit- ^ "Reiniku ģimene sarūpējusi dziesmu grāmatu vismazākajiem – 'Ričijs Rū'". www.delfi.lv (in Latvian). Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ "Lauris Reiniks L.Reiniks, V.Reinika. Ričijs Rū rīko koncertu. Lasi. Dziedi. Krāso (grāmata+CD) - MICREC". www.micrec.lv (in Latvian). Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ "Reiniku Ričijam Rū jauna grāmata un dziesmu albums". nra.lv (in Latvian). Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ "Lauris Reiniks Ričijs Rū rīko koncertu 2. Rūta Reinika-Preisa, Lauris Reiniks (Grāmata + CD)". www.micrec.lv (in Latvian). Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ ""Ričijs Rū rīko koncertu" 1 & 2 Dzismas Bērniem / Children Songs in Latvian". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ "Ričijs Rū un draugi. Mīļi stāstiņi mazākajiem". www.micrec.lv (in Latvian). Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ Ričija Rū pasakas - Kā Ričijs Rū tika pie savas ģitāras | Seriāls (in Latvian). 2022. Retrieved 2024-04-11 – via tet.plus.
- ^ "Pristato naują projektą Lietuvoje vaikams „Ričis Ra su nuotaika gera": projektą sudaro ne tik knyga, bet ir linksmos dainos". lrt.lt (in Lithuanian). 2022-11-10. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ ""Ričis Ra su muzika gera" - Dainos Vaikams / Richie Roo Chidren Songs in Lithuanian". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
- ^ "Reiniku ģimenes lolojums Ričijs Rū saņem "Platīna disku"!". lr2.lsm.lv. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ "Izvēlēta 2021.gada grāmata bērniem! » Rīgas Centrālā bibliotēka" (in Latvian). Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ "Autortiesību bezgalības balvu pasniedz 19 autoriem". www.lsm.lv (in Latvian). 2023-12-05. Retrieved 2023-12-05.
- ^ "Noskaidroti Latvijas mūzikas ierakstu gada balvas "Zelta Mikrofons'24" laureāti". Zelta Mikrofons (in Latvian). 2024-03-09. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ "LaIPA - LaIPA pasniedz pirmos mūzikas ierakstu straumēšanas zelta un platīna sertifikātus (foto)". www.laipa.org. Retrieved 2024-04-25.