RIGA, June 25 (Xinhua) -- A traditional song and dance festival which is due to kick off here at the end of June is expected to draw an audience of half a million people, organizers announced at a news conference Monday.

The theme for this year's Song and Dance Celebration is dedicated to the centenary of Latvia's independence, but the tradition of the festival is older than the Republic of Latvia as the first song celebration was held in Riga in 1873 with the participation of some 1,000 amateur choral singers.

Since then, the festival has evolved into a strong popular tradition, with 43,219 participants representing 3,421 amateur choirs and ensembles to perform this year. The week-long festival program includes 60 events, the festival's chief organizer Eva Juhnevica said.

An estimated 500,000 people from Latvia and also foreign countries are expected to attend the events this year, Juhnevica said. Those who don't manage to get tickets to the festival's concerts will be able to watch them on big screens in various public places in Riga and also Latvia's regional cities and towns.

The festival runs from June 8 to July 7.