Proem

Co-funded by the Latvian State Satori Internet Magazine Editorial Staff Centenary Programme Ilmārs Šlāpins, Elizabete Lukšo-Ražinska, Anna Andersone Being Together Translator Lauris Veips with Your Country English Editor Suzanne McQuade With the decision to celebrate our country’s centenary not just for a Project Management single day but for an entire year, we have afforded ourselves a great Elizabete Lukšo-Ražinska, Zaiga Pūce, opportunity – to notice something more than just a symbol on a Latvian Centenary Paula Jansone calendar, a flag, or the map of the world representing the idea of a Information Centre country. Latvian National Library Typefaces We have found the time to think about what exactly happens Mūkusalas iela 3, 1st floor, Rīga Freight, Lapture to a country when we observe it in a temporal perspective. Thus it becomes clearer that a state – even such a small and shy little coun- +371 673 303 50 Paper try like Latvia – is a changing entity that cannot be concealed behind +371 220 138 89 Maestro print 190 g/m2, Maestro print 90 g/m2 the frame of a definition. Yes, it is much harder to love. It has good and bad days. It has its own characteristic features, some that might [email protected] Design make an honest person ashamed. Not only does it have dreams of lv100.lv Kārlis Dovnorovičs, “You Made My Day” the future, but also its grey everyday routine and dark spots in its his- tory. It is difficult for us to capture and describe it, because a pressed Publisher flower is but a dried plant, ready to crumble between our fingers. “Ascendum” Association We are supposed to be proud of our country and defend it when August 2018 talking to our friends and neighbours, but sometimes we lack the strength for it, or we want to use less forgiving words. UDK 930.85(474.3)(051) We are used to thinking of relationships as certain codes of Ce565 conduct – we adhere to one set of rules with our spouse, and to a dif- ISSN 2592-8473 ferent one with our parents. There are certain rules among friends and others among colleagues. In order to get on with others, we are used to submitting to them and to developing ourselves. I think the case is slightly different with countries. As with a growing child, you cannot “settle scores’” with a state. You have to “sustain a relationship”, grow along with it, remain in constant turmoil and worry, sacrifice yourself and ask for the impos- sible from the other. And, what is more, you should want to be with a country – tomorrow, the day after, and beyond that. A state is what we want to experience, rather than what we remember just from the happier times together. And in this sense it is silly and useless to cel- ebrate the past hundred years without considering the hundred years to come. Draugiem.lv Facebook Flickr Instagram Twitter Youtube Latvija100 Latvija100 Latvia100 LatvijaiSimts LatvijaiSimts LV100 Ilmārs Šlāpins

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Latvia’s Centenary Events Latvia International Ceramics Biennale Through 9 * Exhibition of the International Ceramics Competition Martinsons September from August to October Award. Daugavpils, Rīga, Sigulda, Ogre, Rēzekne, Latvia; Panevežys, Lithuania

Tradition & Innovation Through 16 th Paradise ‘89 From February The 6 Rīga International Textile and Fibre Art Triennial. Latvian Na- September Feature film. “Latvian Films for the Latvian Centenary” programme. tional Museum of Art; Arsenāls Exhibition Hall; the Art Museum Riga On screens across Latvia Bourse; Museum of Decorative Arts and Design; etc., Rīga and Latvia

To Be Continued From March A Collection of Contemporary Tapestries from Mobilier Through 16 Documentary film. “Latvian Films for the Latvian Centenary” National (France) September programme. On screens across Latvia A visiting exhibition. Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, Rīga

Bille From April Finnish Jaegers in Latvia Through 28 Feature film. “Latvian Films for the Latvian Centenary” programme. Documentary exhibition. Jaeger Museum of Finland, Kauhava, Finland September On screens across Latvia Imants Tillers. Journey to Nowhere Through 30 Mērija’s Journey From May Exhibition. Latvian National Museum of Art, Rīga September Documentary film. “Latvian Films for the Latvian Centenary” programme. On screens across Latvia To be Banned. Baltic Books 1918–1940 Through 30 Travelling exhibition. National Library of Estonia, Tallinn, Estonia October The Song Festival: An Ideal Latvia From June Documentary film. On screens across Latvia Anatomy of a street. Maskavas Street Through 31 An alley of photos. October Art Nouveau. Its Beginnings, Influences and Through 5 August Spīķeri quarter and the square on Mazā Kalna Street, Rīga Original Nature Exhibition. The Art Museum Riga Bourse, Rīga Freedom Street Stories Through 18 A series of events. Daugavpils, Jelgava, Jēkabpils, Jūrmala, Liepāja, November Portable Landscapes Through 5 August Rēzekne, Rīga, Valmiera, Ventspils International contemporary art exhibition. Körsbärsgården Exhibition Hall, Gotland Over the Threshold Through 30 The first exhibition dedicated to the Centenary of the Latgale Congress. December The XIII Baltic Triennial: GIVE UP THE GHOST Through 12 Museum of Cultural History of Latgale, Rēzekne Contemporary Art Centre, Vilnius, Lithuania August Valmiera Summer Theatre Festival 3 – 5 August The State Before Statehood Through 19 Valmiera Exhibition. National Library of Latvia, Rīga August Gosti 3 – 5 August I (TOO) AM A LATVIAN Through 22 IX International Ethno Festival. Rēzekne Exhibition. National Library of Latvia, Rīga August The Coronet of Latgale 4 August The XIII Baltic Triennial: GIVE UP THE GHOST Through 2 Latvian ethnic minority music festival. Krāslava Municipality, Baltic Art triennial. Tallinn Art Hall, Tallinn, Estonia September Indra Parish

4 5 Calendar Calendar

Simple Summer Session 2018 4 – 5 August Baltic Sea Festival: Dedication to Eric Ericson 28 August International skateboarding and BMX event. The Latvian Radio Choir, the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Barona Street skate park, Rīga and the Eric Ericson Chamber Choir in concert at the Baltic Sea Festi- val. Berwaldhallen, Stockholm, Sweden World Orienteering Championships and the Footpath Ori- 4 – 11 August enteering Championship for People with Disabilities Lustrum From 29 August Rīga, Sigulda, Turaida, Daugavpils Documentary film. “Latvian Films for the Latvian Centenary” pro- gramme. On screens across Latvia The Wonder Bird 5 August A musical for young people and their parents. The Latvian School Bag From 1 September Daugavpils Theatre, Daugavpils Interdisciplinary training programme, Latvia’s biggest centenary gift to over 200,000 children and youth in the country. Latvia Fire Safety, Fire Rescue, and Civil Protection 8 – 10 August Baltic States’ Firefighter Games, Valka Planet No. 85 From 1 September A play for children and their parents. Winner of the contest for original The Centenary Open-Air Dance Party 11 August plays, titled “The East Arrives in Latvia. Shelter and a meeting (or lack th A get-together and celebration one hundred days before Latvia’s 100 thereof).” Daile Theatre, Rīga anniversary. Latvia and around the world Seaside Clean-up 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Theatre of Latvia Celebrates 200 11 August An initiative for cleaning up Latvia’s seaside. September Neikenkalns Open Air Concert Hall, Zunda Threshing Barn, Dikļi Latvia’s seaside municipalities

Latvian Garden of Destiny. 11 August Quantasonic: data modulation and 2 other works 1 September to 31 The Opening Concert. Artist Voldemārs Johansons’ exhibition “Bozar” in the Bozar Electronic October The Garden of Destiny, Koknese Municipality Arts Festival. BOZAR Centre for Fine Arts, Brussels

Baltic Guards 2018 – Latvian Youth Guard Camp 13 – 17 August Vidzeme’s Talents for the Latvian Centenary 2 September International youth guard camp with participants from Latvia, Lithua- The most talented students and contest laureates from Vidzeme’s mu- nia, Estonia, Poland, Ukraine, and Great Britain. Mārupe Municipality sic schools in concert. Vidzeme Concert Hall “Cēsis”, Cēsis

The Riga City Festival 17 – 19 August The Invisible Effect 3 September Rīga Contemporary dance performance. The Pleasance Theatre, London

th 150 Anniversary of the Riga Latvian Society House 17 – 19 August Emotional States 4 – 23 September Vērmane Garden, Rīga Variant Studio exhibition in the London Design Biennale. Somerset House, London Exhibition “Burning Conscience” From 23 August History exhibition, Pils Street 12, Cēsis Bridges of Time From 5 September Documentary film. “Latvian Films for the Latvian Centenary” pro- Ancient Bonfire Night 25 August gramme. On screens across Latvia Bonfire event and night of ancient fire. Latvia’s seaside Municipalities. Special musical programme. The European Law Institute’s Annual General Assembly 5 – 7 September Liepāja, Jūrmala, Roja, Saulkrasti, and Salacgrīva The University of Latvia Great Hall, Rīga

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The Latvian School Bag - Opening Event 6 September Opening event. Arēna Rīga, Rīga

Survival Kit 10 6 – 27 September A Contemporary Art Festival. Riga Circus, Rīga

Kurts Fridrihsons From 7 September Documentary film. “Latvian Films for the Latvian Centenary” pro- gramme. On screens across Latvia

Liepāja: Latvia’s Capital From 8 September A play. Liepāja Theatre, Liepāja

Countryside Entering the City 8 September Series of events about the role of the countryside and agriculture in Latvia’s history, the present day, and future. 11 November Embank- ment, Rīga

White Night 2018 8 – 9 September Contemporary culture forum, Rīga

The Latvian Red Cross Celebrates 100 8 September to 21 An exhibition. Pauls Stradiņš Museum for History of Medicine, Rīga January, 2019

Global Control 13 – 15 September RIXC Art Science Festival conference about art and the digital society. National Library of Latvia, Rīga Join us to celeberate! From one Dream to Anothre 14 September A multimedia 3D performance. Lielupe River, Jelgava Wear a pair of colourful mittens

The Big Clean-up 15 September on 18 November 2018! World Cleanup Day 2018. Let’s do it. Latvia and around the world Pick or make a pair of your own and join us to The Glass Mountain. Daugava 15 September, 13 celebrate one hundred years of Latvia! A play based on the poem “Daugava” by Rainis. October Our traditional woollen mittens – warm and National Library of Latvia, Rīga colourful – are our ancient version of a personal business card. Each pair is hand- The territory of Latvia in the political dimension of early 20 – 22 September knitted and unique yet carries our common modern times. The 16th – 18th centuries code: Latvian. III conference in the conference series “The State Before Statehood”. National Library of Latvia, Rīga #LV100 LV100.lv Latvia.eu

Latvia in Northern Europe, by the Baltic Sea.

Art installation, Liked Values by Baiba Vaivade. 8 Photo: Reinis Hofmanis. Calendar Calendar

Valerio Tricoli 21 September Vasks’ New Work and Bruckner’s Sixth 5, 6 October Sound Forest - New Sounds for Latvia’s centenary. Staņislavs Broks Latvian National Symphony Orchestra season opening concert with the Daugavpils Music School, Daugavpils premiere of Pēteris Vasks’ new work “Concerto for Oboe”. Great Guild Hall, Rīga The XIII Baltic Triennial: GIVE UP THE GHOST 21 September to th Exhibitions, lectures, presentations, creative workshops, a publication. 18 November The 13 Saeima Elections 6 October kim? Contemporary Art Centre, Rīga Latvia and around the world

Trauma and Revival. Cultural Ties Between Eastern and 21 September to 100 Books for Children From 11 October Western Europe 16 December Travelling Exhibition of Books. National Library of Latvia, Rīga An exhibition, discussions, talks. Bunkier Sztuki Gallery of Contemporary Art, Krakow, Poland Andris Nelsons. Kristīne Opolais. 13, 16 October Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra Pope Francis’ visit to Latvia 24 September Concert. Part of the “Born in Latvia” concert series. Rīga, Aglona Latvian National Opera, Rīga; Great Amber Concert Hall, Liepāja

European Day of Languages and Native Language Days 26 September Latvian National Symphony Orchestra – 13, 20, 23, 24, 25, Series of events. Latvia Concerts in Europe 26 October Slovak Philharmonic, Bratislava, Slovakia; Grand Théâtre, Aix-en- Homo Novus From 26 Provence, France; Philharmonie de Paris, France; Graf-Zeppelin-Haus, Feature film. “Latvian Films for the Latvian Centenary” programme. September Friedrichshafen, Germany; Liederhalle, Stuttgart, Germany; On screens across Latvia St. Johann’s Church, Schaffhausen, Switzerland

Organist Iveta Apkalna and Konzerthausorchester Berlin 28 September Andris Nelsons. Håkan Hardenberger. Leipzig Gewand- 14 October Concert. Part of the “Born in Latvia” concert series. haus Orchestra Great Guild Hall, Rīga Concert. Part of the “Born in Latvia” concert series. Latvian National Opera, Rīga The Riga Conference 2018 28 – 29 September National Library of Latvia, Rīga In the Tides of History 17, 19, 26 October, A cinema concert. “The Ring of Zemgale” part of “The Ring of Latvia” 2 November Avenue of Latvia’s Medical Stars 29 September concert series. Jelgava Culture Centre, Jelgava; Vidzeme Concert Hall An installation. Pauls Stradiņš Museum for History of Medicine, Rīga “Cēsis”, Cēsis; Latgale Embassy GORS, Rēzekne; Great Amber Concert Hall, Liepāja The Seasons 23 - 24 September Contemporary dance performance. National Encyclopaedia 18 October Brunel Shaft at Brunel Museum, London The release of the printed book dedicated to Latvia. National Library of Latvia, Rīga The Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre – 3 – 5 October Guest Peformances in Latvia Jacob, Mimmi and the Talking Dogs From 18 October Latvian National Opera, Rīga Animated film. “Latvian Films for the Latvian Centenary” programme. On screens across Latvia The Latvian National Opera and Ballet – 5 – 7 October Guest Performances in Lithuania The Story of Latvian Design 18 October to 31 Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet, Vilnius, Lithuania An art exhibition. Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, Rīga December

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From Exile to Latvia – Austra Linde’s 120 Latvian Folk From 21 October Maiden Dolls Exhibition. Alūksne Museum, Alūksne

Latvian Hero – From Past to Present From 23 October Multimedia exhibition and publication. Rīga

th 9 International DSS ITSEC Conference 25 October National Library of Latvia, Rīga

Freedom Street Stories and Jewels of 26 October the Latvian Landscape Closing event of the event series dedicated to Latvia’s regions. National Library of Latvia, Rīga

th Facial Expression. Portrait in 20 Century Latvia. 26 October to Exhibition. Latvian National Museum of Art and Arsenāls Exhibition 24 February, 2019 Hall, Rīga

May Latvia Live Forever! 27 October th 150 anniversary concert of the Riga Latvian Society. Riga Latvian Society House, Rīga

The Mover From 30 October Feature film. “Latvian Films for the Latvian Centenary” programme. On screens across Latvia

The Best of Latvian Sports: 1918–2018 October Book launch. Latvian Sports Museum, Rīga

The Latvian Basketball Walk of Fame From October Opening of an interactive sculpture composition. Territory adjacent to the Daugava Gym/Physical Fitness Centre, Rīga

Giving Light I Burn Out September – A series of public lectures. December Pauls Stradiņš Museum for History of Medicine, Rīga

* Programme subject to change. Full programme available lv100.lv 12 Society Society We’ll Survive the Winter

text Ivars Ījabs illustration Mārtiņš Zutis

The concept of civil society is a prod- Alas, how much public and private money uct imported into Latvia in the 1990s. It was spent on “promoting civil society”! For was rooted in the idea that democracy many, it was a well-remunerated epoch, and could be stabilised by promoting people’s to others it was simply educational! The self-organisational skills. Firstly, this is how main lessons are learned when ideas meet the atomising influence of communism reality. In many countries, there arose a pro- would be reduced and a healthy “moral fessionalised class of civil activists, whose infrastructure” restored quickly; secondly, task was to attract money from different it would become possible to relieve the foundations in order to pursue a noble goal state of numerous functions characteristic of their choosing – to fight corruption, to of the communists’ bureaucratic authori- promote human rights, to support minori- tarianism. The state could step away from ties, etc. It was presumed to be self-evident supervision and the provision of countless that the newly democratised citizens could services, instead enabling people to pursue not support their own organisations. This their interests on their own. The most influ- was mostly true, but in reality this assump- ential – intellectually speaking – defence tion brought about a unique “civil oligarchy”, of “civil society” can probably be found in which quickly mastered the art of writing Ernest Gellner’s Conditions of Liberty: Civil different projects and, for a fair fee, could Society and its Rivals. There, Gellner writes construct a Potemkin village of civil society, about civil society as a social phenome- at any time and place specified by the client. non characteristic of the West. In this space Sadly, time doesn’t stand still. Several of social life there’s neither the state tyr- former “post-communist” countries became anny characteristic of totalitarian regimes, full EU members. Their democracy and civil nor the “tyranny of cousins” characteris- society ratings were good enough to con- tic of tribal societies. It’s the strange public sider “strengthening civil society” a finished sphere where people are truly free and equal, project by and large; additionally, there permitted to join different organisations of was the 2008/2009 economic crisis, dur- their own accord. It requires strong but lim- ing which the volume of unattended money ited state power: the state should guarantee shrank drastically across the globe. Civil the rule of law and respect the freedoms of society was no longer a highly profitable expression and assembly, but not interfere business. Societies had changed as well. The in the sphere of mutual cooperation among generation, which enthusiastically started people. building liberal capitalism in the early 90s, Fate dictated that, in time, this idea had grown old, grumpy, frustrated, and assumed the role of a bureaucratic guideline. annoyed. It’s not that life hasn’t improved,

14 15 Society Society

generally speaking: it has, and markedly so seemed a great achievement twenty years cognac at Soros Foundation receptions, of the chance of free self-organisation. It at that. But the beautiful ideal of capital- ago, are taken for granted. They will always and when civil activists had money and the requires unceasing work with real people ist prosperity, as it was imagined some 30 be open for us “white people”, but please assurance that they are working on behalf of who differ from us in their earnings, life- years ago, is out of reach for this generation. don’t send anyone this way. It’s like a vision the majority. Now civil society, as far as it is style, and political views. That’s what being One day, it will probably arrive for the “new” of Europe à la carte. We can accept Ger- willing to enter politics at all, will fight the a citizen is about: being ready to work with Europeans as well. The only problem is that, man and French investments, we can send majority and will be forced to admit itself people who are connected to us only in that to quote Nekrasov, “live in that beautiful era, our children to Western European univer- to be what it has been for a long time, i.e. they belong to the same country and society. I shall no more and neither shall you”. This sities, but please spare us the separation of the minority. This is a new and unusual sit- We must live with it – civil society will never is clearly evident in our regional politics. It’s powers, the human rights and Istanbul Con- uation. People like to identify themselves resemble a company of friends or have any- here where a generation is emerging, tired of ventions – thanks, but no thanks. Or else, with the majority, because, especially in thing resembling the cosiness and warmth waiting and no longer believing that, in a lit- we’ll show you what we’re capable of at your democracies, the majority is strong. During of a family. If you want others to respect tle while, we’ll start living the way they do in home in Brussels. times of democratic optimism it was simple your common interests, you must learn Europe. The recent beautiful dream seems, It’s not a matter of whether this atti- and enjoyable to identify oneself with the to live with the variety that exists among to many, to be a grandiose fake. We’re put- tude is viable in the long-term, but rather majority, because European integration and people. Mutual trust, which many are tout- ting on a show of being loyal to civil society, that the wave has not yet crested and it’s Western values seemed self-evident, even if, ing as a cure-all, is neither self-evident nor human rights and democracy, and in return anyone’s guess as to how high it will rise. in truth, they weren’t. But now, on the con- natural. It is brought about when people dif- we get not Western European prosper- In Latvia too, it’s not a matter of “if” but trary, xenophobic populists purport to speak ferent from and unfamiliar to each another ity but refugees and forced solidarity with rather “how high”, as most leading parties the voice of the majority, and they sound learn to take joint action in their own inter- Greece. Such attitudes are trying to underline their quite believable in doing so. est. They don’t have to be have several colour- Europe’s open borders, conservatism. The question Therefore, being a supporter If you want others friends, but they must be able ful standard-bearers of which seemed a great is what there is left to do for of civil society will become to respect your to abide by the rules of coop- their own. The Prime achievement twenty years those who champion such more and more unpleasant common interests, eration, which is what all these Minister of Hungary is a unpopular values as inde- when, with support from the organisational statutes and great example. This for- ago, are taken for granted. pendent media and courts, majority, individual liberties you must learn to protocols, often detested in mer “sorosite” ¹ is now pluralism of opinions, toler- are cut with majority backing; live with the variety these parts, are meant for. But fighting liberalism and globalisation with ance, and individual self-determination. It’s when the media are brought that exists among if we look for natural harmony the vengefulness of a rejected lover. Increas- misguided to expect elite leadership in this into line; swarms of free people. and togetherness of souls, ingly often, individual rights and democracy respect. The ancient longings have come thinkers are dispersed at uni- what we’ll have is a sect. Sadly, seem to be an “outside” imposition, which to fruition. The elites of today are indeed versities; and courts are politicized; and so Russia provides several examples on how does not and cannot have anything to do “close to the people”, ready to follow all the on, according to the Budapest checklist. civil society can morph into infighting sects. with our authentic culture. It is increasingly phobias, conspiracy theories and oddities of As we know, everything that does not Their members often like to create intrigue difficult not to succumb to the temptation the popular majority. kill us makes us stronger. If civil society among themselves but are rather cautious to employ oppressive instruments of power Therefore there’s only one solution: civil survives the winter in our region, a con- when the public at large is concerned. Of in the fight against those who think differ- society. But it will be a different civil society. frontation with reality such as the current course, the institutional environment is ently and who dare to speak up. The future Or rather, that which we are used to calling one may benefit it in the long term. You much more favourable for civil society here has a diminishing role in decision-making, “civil society” in Latvia, has serious chal- may or may not like it, but numbers decide in Latvia. But here, too, there’s sectarian- while the archaic is increasing in impor- lenges ahead. Goodbye to the times when everything in a democracy, and any pub- ism in many places, and an insurmountable tance. It’s no longer just small pockets it was acceptable to pay rhetorical trib- lic interests will be represented in politics propensity to attach disparaging labels to of extremists willing to join the ranks of ute to liberalism and European integration, only as long as they can rally people and others, which serve as reasons not to speak the far right; it’s entire classes of society. when politicians across the whole spectrum carry them away. It’s the age-old skill of to them; there’s a love of conspiracy the- Meanwhile Europe’s open borders, which considered it a matter of honour to drink self-organising, one that cannot be taught ories and giving up on any initiative in its at school. It arises from mutual interac- early stages. And thus the disappointed Lat- 1 Translator’s note: the Latvian sorosīts, “a Soros person”, is used as a catch-all pejorative against liberals. tion between people, and it is very scarce vian citizens end up back in their kitchens, The use of this word has been championed, for example, by local oligarch Aivars Lembergs. in places where society has been stripped only to land in the same old stale soup.

16 17 Education

Helping Kids Grow Up as Human Beings

We met Aija Tūna, Head of Education and Youth Programme of the Ministry of Culture Office Latvia 100, to discuss the Latvian School Bag initiative, the meaning of culture in social integration, and the experience she’s acquired through several pilot projects, in which schoolchildren attended the theatre. Interview by Ilmārs Šlāpins.

photo Ģirts Raģelis Education Education

The Latvian School Bag initiative promises to give every school- colleagues would be sensible enough not to divert these active young child the “chance to get to know and directly experience Latvia’s people from their envisioned direction! cultural and natural values, as well as to become acquainted with the success stories and innovations created in Latvia in dif- Are today’s children different from previous generations? ferent eras”. Why hasn’t this happened before? Young people cautiously expressed their opinion after the plays, and The Latvian School Bag project, a part of Latvia’s Centenary pro- each group was surprised that such sensitive issues are discussed gramme, fulfils a long-nurtured idea that culture has to “go back to publicly. One group of young people said that history lessons gen- school”, and we are currently thinking about culture in a broader erally teach about politics and wars, but the play had been about perspective, namely, culture as a means of describing Latvia – Lat- people, and they had now understood that history, too, is about the via’s history and its present day, Latvia’s nature, cultural landscape, people around us and in our families. However, there was a “but” science and innovation, its creative industry, design, architecture that followed: “But would it be right, and would the state like it if and the rest. What is most important is that these events – trips to we learned about history in such a way?” Such questions make us the theatre, concerts, workshops, visiting important sites, or school very cautious, thinking about the kind of message that school and visits by artists and people from the creative industries – are a part the society has already sent them. Could these young people have of the learning process, and the processing of this experience is assumed that they are expected to give all the correct answers? They directly related to the learning process. This is where another cru- are unsure whether or not anyone really cares what they honestly cial aspect comes into view – there are currently important changes think – although they may have misunderstood, maybe they haven’t in progress in education, attempts to unify separate, disparate study fully understood – and whether they can say it frankly and lay these subjects, and the Latvian School Bag project invites us to do the issues out on the table. same. For example, when we take students to the theatre, it is not I’ve had to travel a lot and visit schools and, to be honest, open- only about the play Y by author X with a couple of popular actors ing the door of the school and entering the vestibule, it is already performing. We encourage students to think about how a play is pro- clear whether the spirit reigning is an authoritarian one – whether duced, what different professions, skills, and knowledge is necessary the school is friendly towards everyone; what kind of relationships for creating it, and, as a result, the play becomes interesting not only there are; whether people greet one another because that’s what for those who can recite a poem well at school, but also for those people do, or whether it’s because the children have to greet the who like computers, because they can imagine themselves in the adults. There is an enormous difference between the two patterns role of a sound engineer, lighting designer or video projection artist. of behaviour. It shows the expectations of our society: either submit Similarly, those who enjoy tinkering with practical things will think and conform to requirements, or act in the way that is the most log- about props or set design, whereas others will be interested in mar- ical to act among other people. This is why we need projects such as keting or communication. the Latvian School Bag, good projects of civic engagement – so that schoolchildren could also see the kind of state that exists beyond Should we address children differently than adults? the borders of the school – and this is exactly why we need such Director Ivars Seleckis recently said these wonderful winged words civic engagement projects that allow schoolchildren to explore their about his latest film: “Children are the same people as adults, only surroundings. smaller.” And that is what they are. When we find ourselves in a for- Some students had been to Rīga, and some had even attended eign place and in a less familiar context, we, too, are confused at this type of production, but they were in the minority. That the first, but the reaction that follows can vary – some shut themselves majority of educators said it was the first time they had been to the off, others try to put on a show, others try to do what they think is particular theatre and seen such a play. In my opinion, this means expected of them. The children that we took to the contemporary that it is necessary not only to provide educators with technical theatre performances were genuinely interested in what was going methodology on teaching and planning classes, but also to help on, although they expressed it in different ways. You could see right them grow as people and observe contemporary, unusual, contro- away that each group of students had one very active child who was versial artistic and cultural processes, and to encourage them to ready to start a conversation on the spot. If only they would carefully share this experience with their students. We cannot reproach the consider how they engage; if only the accompanying adults or future teachers if they do not risk attending one event or another with

20 21 Education Education

their students, if they feel uncertain – it is, after all, their profes- Latvia, and culture accompanies all of these activities. We can learn sional responsibility. about Latvia from painting, from music, and then in real life; or from reality first and from painting and music afterwards. The Latvian Cul- Where the students go with their teacher is important, too, tural Canon and its reconstructed website also helps us learn about after all. the country; it contains not only stories about folk songs, or about Cultural and arts establishments should also do their part, because players of the traditional kokle instrument, and other well-known teachers become their most meaningful messengers. The Latvian national treasures, but you can also learn about the Rīga moped and Centre for Contemporary Art and the Latvian National Museum of the [Minox] mini-camera [produced in the VEF factory], as well as Art with all its branches, as well as several other organisations already many other things that are a part of Latvia’s story and that lead us to provide teacher training, so that teachers can learn about the topic contemporary design, creative industries and start-ups. prior to the field trip and explain it to the children, because this is another major issue – heads of regional museums have told me that Are there any differences between Latvian and minority schools, children brought on an excursion step off the bus and are surprised between Rīga and other regions in Latvia? to see where they have arrived. The teacher has not laid the ground- There is a notion that all Latvian schoolchildren are more or less the work for the children, they have not been told where they are going same and that students from minority schools are different. As it and what awaits them there. turns out from meeting them in different situations, this isn’t quite I think that educators should be encouraged to be bolder and true. There are Latvian schoolchildren that have no idea about Lat- look beyond their subject. Then they will be able to fulfil their cur- vian classical music treasures, and there are those who have never rent expectations – they will help children to grow up human, not just heard of Latvian pop music idols generally considered very important teach them a school subject. The school should help them restore to people their age. Such a difference also exists in minority schools. their human facet. This isn’t easy, because they have been disrupted I think that the role played by the language issue has greatly dimin- by long-term reforms that have sometimes been sequential, but ished. Schoolchildren from minority schools speak Latvian very well, sometimes uncoordinated, and they also want to do their job well, they can read it well, they understand it, they are interested in what- but the result of their effort is participation in a subject olympiad or ever it is any of them is interested in – politics, art, technology – and an exam evaluation. It is important to get teachers on our side as our they follow the processes in these fields in Latvian, English, and, pos- allies in this transition period, and it is crucial that people working in sibly, other languages. cultural institutions start talking with teachers so that both parties It is a fact that the cultural environments are different. As the understand one another. culmination of their Rīga trip, we offered a group from the Latgale cultural region an opportunity to visit the Ziemeļblāzma culture pal- Field trips to museums or theatres used to be a normal part of ace, hear the history of its patron Augusts Dombrovskis, and attend school life. Why was it necessary to create a special programme? a concert by the pop singer Aija Andrejeva accompanied by an The Latvian School Bag project has been largely modelled after Nor- orchestra. We thought it was a wonderful programme! However, they wegian example, where such a programme has existed for more than hadn’t even heard of Aija Andrejeva. But when we were able to get a 20 years. Its origins date back to the years after the Second World sneak peek of the rehearsal from the balcony, it was difficult to draw War, when the Norwegian government decided they wanted to ensure the kids away! They were already hooked. access to culture for every student, in the faraway fjords and beyond Since the core of such projects is to bring people together, to the high mountains, too. Their geographic situation is much more establish ties, and to inspire a dialogue, students from both types of challenging than ours, but it is important to us, too, that the school- schools have to participate in these projects. They have to share an children of Rīga’s neighbourhoods explore a wider scope beyond experience and then discuss what they have seen, what they have their area, and it is important to us that children from other cities or understood, what thoughts it inspires and what to do next. Then we villages in Latvia have access to Rīga or other regions, that children will also learn what they can tell one another based on their differ- from the Latgale region have access to the sea, or children from the ent experiences and cultures, without claiming that one experience is Kurzeme region could get to the GORS concert hall or to the Gaiziņš more valuable than the other, because then there will be no dialogue hill. It’s a part of learning process and the process of getting to know and no integration.

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shielded from nature. Quite the contrary include the multiplication of armed con- actually – in the past as well as nowadays. flicts (e.g. over water access). Insurance Accepting this fundamental truth as part and reinsurance companies are already very of the human condition raises two ques- concerned, since more extreme climatic tions: when will we cross the “point(s) of events means more compensation to be non-return”, i.e. the moment(s) where paid (knowing that between 70% and 98% of threats to social organisation will become the costs of climate change are not covered obvious and irreversible? And, what is wait- yet by re/insurance). In 2017, the industry ing for us in terms of changes? The two released a call for addressing climate change. questions (especially the second) may Therefore, changes are already underway sound speculative, but we need to not lose and, for most part, they will be irreversible sight of them. Science is constantly pro- for decades or centuries. Some changes will viding us elements to form ever more last forever, e.g. many animal species and The Spectre of fine-grained answers. life forms will disappear for good, coastal areas will be wiped out. It is the very reason When? why geologists consider us to have entered Climate Change Regarding the irreversibility dimension, the Anthropocene Epoch, i.e. humans have the answer is quite simple: we are already become the most important geological force. engaged in changes that cannot be undone: Whether we like it or not, we are collectively text Xavier Landes photo Tristan Billet on Unsplash high greenhouse gas (GHS) responsible of climate changes concentration is here to stay Human beings because we (each of us, in var- (and actually will probably have never been ious proportion) have been No need to be called pessimistic for recog- is not about change, but changes. Environ- increase for a long period), independent of causing it. And this makes nizing that climate change is one of the most mental of course, but also economic, social, for centuries at least, prob- and shielded from climate change a question of daunting challenges (if not the most) that technological and political. ably millennia. As long as justice. humanity has been facing. No need to put Climate change falls into the category oceans continue to play their nature. Part of the unfairness is your faith in my words – just quickly glance of the civilisational challenges that endan- role as carbon traps, their acidity will con- that poor and vulnerable people are the first at the impressive amount of scientific works ger, (probably) not the survival of humanity, tinue rising, which will endanger many to be dramatically affected, and in a dis- on the topic. The picture that most of these but the perpetuation of the forms of social marine species (e.g. corals, species with car- proportionate manner. Climate change has works depict is so dark that some research- organisation we know. As shown by Jared bonate-based skeletons or shells). started (and will continue) to burden pov- ers show signs of depression, as confessed Diamond in Collapse, many now-extinct Over the next centuries and probably erty reduction worldwide. Also, because of by Clive Hamilton in Requiem for a Species. societies “collapsed” due to a combination millennia, the sea level will constantly grow the delayed effect of current GHG emis- Others, such as Paul Gilding, have decided of factors including the mismanagement in conjunction with the melting of glaciers sions, we are shifting the burden to future to tune down the negative aspects (and so of natural resources and maladaptation to and ice sheets. To that respect, the West generations, in Latvia and elsewhere, affect- to emphasize the optimistic content of their brutal changes in meteorological condi- Antarctica ice sheet and the Greenland ice ing people who are not born yet but who messages) for not nurturing helplessness tions. Diamond’s victims list includes the sheet are the most threatening. If all ice will have to endure the harshness of a cli- and inaction among their audience. Norse settlements in Greenland (who dis- sheets and glaciers melt, sea levels will be mate we and the past generations have To assess the seriousness of climate appeared during the Little Ice Age), the higher by ca. 65 meters on the average. helped to create. (We are already living in a change we need to get away from the sim- Rapanui of Easter Island, or the classic Maya The frequency of extreme climate hardening climatic system, in part shaped by plistic view of global temperature increase civilisational. In sum, human societies reg- events will continue to increase. Thus, the past emissions.) (as I claimed in a previous piece). Climate ularly experience existential threats due to world will experience more severe droughts, The question remains open for when change is not only (and not even mostly) environmental shocks and inappropriate storms, hurricanes, floods, episodes of these changes will become blatant and about that. The challenge is much more (or insufficient) human reaction. Human extreme cold, heat waves, etc. with their their impact detrimental on a global scale. complex and threatening. Furthermore, it beings have never been independent of and corollary of destruction and death, which Most of the climatic changes are gradual

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(and, if you have read my first piece on the Atlantic circulation (and the current pattern decadence (e.g. for Ancient Egypt with the system of production of goods and services. topic, you know that this is one reason why seems worse than expected by scientists). archaic period) or fast collapse (e.g. classical This part is the blessing. we have so much difficulty acknowledg- Such a slowing down carries potential impli- Maya civilisation). It depends on a multi- Now comes the curse. The degree of ing them). This slow motion is due to the cations for the monsoons in Africa and tude of factors. But the point to remember complexity of our societies directly results immensity and complexity of Earth’s cli- India, the frequency of hurricanes and more is that civilisational collapse is the rule from the international division of labour mate system. generally on the respective climatic condi- rather than the exception. and trade. Put a halt to that and the com- That being said, scientists remain tions of Europe (much colder climate during But maybe we are different from our plexity will immediately recede worldwide, unsure about when we will reach a point winters) and Northern America (warmer in predecessors, i.e. objectively better: better i.e. there will immediately be fewer goods where the threat to civilisation will become winters and higher sea levels). informed, better prepared, better equipped and services available and they will be less obvious. Actually, it is more likely to be a Generally speaking, it is important not with finer technology and more resources. sophisticated and efficient. Several causes succession of warning signals. The identi- to succumb to The Day After Tomorrow illu- Aren’t we? This is partly true: the societies can create such a halt: nationalism, wars, fication of precise climatic tipping points sion, i.e. the idea that climate will drastically who host most of the world’s population are natural catastrophes, energy shortages. (not their very existence, which is uncon- change overnight. We will not go to bed one sophisticated societies (much more com- In that context, there is a high probabil- troversial), loosely defined as points beyond evening and wake up in a totally different plex than any past society) with access to ity that climate change will make our lives which climate becomes world. Climatic conditions extensive knowledge, sources more frugal, simpler, but erratic before reaching a new Whether we like are constantly changing, and of energy, technology, and We are depending on cruder too. The point here is stable state, is still debated. it or not, we have already been changing so forth. They are also based other people, which that socioeconomic complex- For instance, most (if not are collectively in a very significant manner. on a tightly knitted mesh of is both a blessing and ity is both an evolutionary almost all) scientists agree responsible of climate Tipping points will severely cooperation and interactions a curse. advantage and a disadvantage. on the fact that the release changes because we accelerate the process (by a at the domestic and interna- It makes us better at dealing of methane contained in the (each of us, in various couple of decades or maybe tional levels. with our environment. It improves our qual- permafrost constitutes one less), but the change will not In other words, we are depending on ity of life, our comfort. But it is a poisonous tipping point (among others). proportion) have been be sudden. other people, which is both a blessing and gift in the sense that it masks part of our But, the challenge is to deter- causing it. This accumulation of a curse. Think about international trade, vulnerabilities, it exhausts resources and mine when all of these points adverse conditions that which is based on division of labour: dif- makes us delusional about our capacity to will be crossed. gradually undermines the social organisa- ferent countries specialise in different last as a civilisation. We might have the illu- The answer depends on local climatic tions and forms of cooperation as we know productions and trade afterwards. Without sion that we are definitely out of nature and conditions and dynamics. For instance, the justifies, to my view, a comparison with pre- this international division and specialisation, that our social and economic standards will Arctic permafrost contains vast amounts vious civilisational falls. (Part of the reason many daily objects would not be available in indefinitely rise. But this is far from being of methane we don’t want to end up in the for this is that climate changes are likely to Latvia. (And it is not only about superficial true. atmosphere. Since methane is a gas with bring such a fall.) “things”, but also about objects that matter At this point in our reasoning, if you much more Global Warming Potential for the quality of life or even bare survival, think that part of the problem is the abun- (GWP) than CO2, the effect will be disas- A Civilisational Collapse? such as medicine, medical equipment, and dance of superficial things and the quest trous. Rising temperatures increases the Judging through the lens of History, there military equipment.) for such vain abundance is the drive behind emission of methane from lands where the are more civilisations that have per- Think about scientific progress. We are overconsumption and production (which is gas was previously captured by the frozen ished than survived (examples of the few constantly benefiting from the research and causing harm like excessive GHG emissions soil. So, when we will reach this tipping old but still alive civilisations include, in discoveries of other people, often made in and pollution), you probably also believe point will depend on the meteorological some respect, China and India). Consider very distant places. Think about the prod- that, overall, the imposed reduction of com- conditions that prevail over Arctic, Antarc- long-lasting civilisations such as Egypt, Per- ucts we use every day: food, computers, plexity and sophistication wouldn’t be such tic and high altitude regions. sia, Greece, Roma, and Byzantium. They are software, cars, smartphones, clothes, etc. a bad thing. “We will just have to adapt.” Another example of a tipping point con- all gone, even if they influenced subsequent We are constantly benefiting from cooper- “We will live with less, but try to live better cerns the melting of the Greenland’s ice societies. There are various ways for a civi- ation, i.e. from the work of other humans, and more meaningful lives.” sheet. Such melting is apparently contrib- lisation to end, depending on the entropic most of whom we have never met and For sure, there is a part of truth in these uting to the slowing down of the North forces at work. The ending could be a slow won’t ever meet. The world is an integrated tenets of the simple living movements: We

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can achieve better results in terms of quality sudden catastrophe, but a long decay. of life and well-being while scaling down our A decay in the quality of goods peo- consumption and production. Many eco- ple were using, the quality of their houses, nomic (and controversial) studies show that the quality of public infrastructures (roads, happiness is not directly correlated with bridges). The stoppage of public equipment material affluence beyond a certain point such as water distribution systems, public (the so-called “Easterlin Paradox”). Thus baths and sewage systems. A loss of engi- happiness and quality of life might be main- neering skills and productivity in various tained or even improved with less affluence. sectors (e.g. agriculture – it was common, Nonetheless, it is not true that the kind for instance, for Roman common farmers of scaling down that we are probably fac- to have access to many important goods ing with climate change will be “for the such as olive oil, tools, kitchen utensils, tiled best”, relatively benign and harmless. A tre- roofs, etc.). A loss of education, knowledge mendous amount of people will suffer, a and literacy. This is what a civilisational col- tremendous amount of lapse looks like and this people will die and that We can achieve better is what might wait for our will happen over a long results in terms of children, grandchildren period of time. It will be quality of life and well- and future generations. due to climatic shocks Returning to the pres- being while scaling down 10 and specific events such ent day, we have more as natural catastrophes, our consumption and resources, knowledge increases in temperatures production. and scientific tools than or sea levels, the appear- the Romans had. But ance of new diseases. But the most insidious this accumulated wealth does not offer us effects, as with any civilisational collapse, an absolute protection against a collapse, Featured will be conveyed through the loss of com- especially because we owe this wealth to plexity, the entrance into archaism, if you increased complexity, which is fragile. But will. what these advantages give us is a stronger It is the reason why a glimpse into the responsibility toward future generations. Past is instructive, especially when consid- We know. We have evidence. We have Events ering civilisations comparable to ours. To (imperfect) technological solutions. We that respect, the fall of the Roman Empire have the social structure to answer climate is instructive. In his 2005 book The Fall of changes. This does not mean that it will be Rome and the End of Civilisation, archaeolo- painless, but we have important material gist Bryan Ward-Perkins does not describe and intellectual resources. And with this a sudden fall, as is often assumed (and unprecedented capacity comes an unprece- taught at school), but a gradual recess, loss dented responsibility: the responsibility to of complexity, hardening life conditions and reform ourselves, our society, to mitigate reduced life opportunities. In other words, and adapt to climate change, in Latvia and the fall of the Roman Empire was not a elsewhere.

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The Flies, in which director Kārlis Krūmiņš 1 has adapted the Jean-Paul Sarter play by the 3 4 same name. The festival takes place at an old barnyard in Valmiermuiža with at least 500 Valmiera Summer seats available. Latvian School Bag Survival Kit 10 Theatre Festival An educational programme International Contemporary Art Festival when where when where 2 when where 3–5 August Valmiera From 1 Across Latvia September 6–27 September Rīga Circus The Centenary Open-Air Dance Party

when where 11 August Across Latvia

The 3rd Valmiera Summer Theatre Festival features its most comprehensive program to The Latvian School Bag is a state centenary Survival Kit – the Baltics’ largest annual con- date, with more than ten performances, as gift to more than 200,000 Latvian pupils temporary art event – will mark its tenth year well as film and music evenings for adults, and young people. The impressive program, of existence with its greatest cycle of events children and young people in its schedule. which was given more than 40% of the total yet. The first part, titledTukšā | Telpa – Leer The newly-established theatre troupe funding for centenary events, starts on 1 | Stelle is being held in cooperation with the Kvadrifrons will perform the play Pavasaris A hundred days before Latvia’s 100th anni- September, enabling students from grades Goethe-Institut and will take place this Sep- (Spring), while the Nezvērs (Monster), a series versary, Centenary open-air dances will 1 through 12 to visit local cultural and art tember at the Rīga Circus. This time, the of plays and workshops, will offer children take place across Latvia, with organisers events, as well as go on field trips across organizer – the Latvian Centre for Con- the chance to create their own Monsters and party-goers invited to renew and revive Latvia and welcome plays, performances, temporary Art – will explore the concept of and take them on a tour around the town. the long-kept Latvian tradition of holding workshops and other cultural events from outland, interrogating the traditional geo- The Traktopera musical will take place in open-air dances and dancing the night away, guests at their home school. political and cultural divisions “centre and the meadows near Valmiera’s recently-con- accompanied by small countryside ensem- The programme will be tied in closely periphery”. Through the topic of outland, the structed apartment buildings—featuring real bles, orchestral musicians, popular singers or with the Latvian Cultural Canon, a collec- festival will also address global migration, a tractors. The Inuaki reptilis manī (The Inuaki folk music ensembles. tion of people and phenomena particularly critical issue in Latvia and across the globe. Reptile Within Me), a play by director Inga Several locations have already been important to Latvia: noted films, art, direc- Migration has brought attention to other Tropa will research barriers created in the announced: in Mežaparks, the Univer- tors, theatre plays, compositions, design problems: racism, growing far-right nation- mind, the meeting of parallel worlds, as well sity of Latvia Wind Band will perform the objects and many other things. alism, and intolerance. The festival invites as the traps laid by comfort and fear. Under melodies of early 20th-century composers, artists from Latvia and abroad to create new the leadership of director Paula Pļavniece, including the Laivinieki brothers and Oskars pieces that address these issues. the audience will look for Viktors Sapropelis Stroks, and open-air dances will also take Survival Kit 10 is curated by Bombay’s inside an empty pool, while one of the most place in Liepāja, Jēkabpils, Kandava, Aizpute, Sumesh Sharma, one of the founders of the ambitious works in the festival this year is Daugavpils and elsewhere. Clark House Initiative union of artists and

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curators. He’ll be joined by Solvita Krese and man” – it arrived on the scene of Latvian Hall with Konzerthausorchester Berlin and The film concert –In the Tides of History Inga Lāce from the Latvian Centre for Con- literature with banners blazing, an ambi- Slovak conductor Juraj Valčuha. or “The Ring of Zemgale” is one of the four temporary Art, as well as writer and curator tious exemplar of the Latvian modern novel. Meanwhile Leipzig’s Gewandhaus events organised by Sigvards Kļava, creative Àngels Miralda, who lives and works in Barce- Eglītis, a master of depicting character, orchestra, together with Andris Nel- director and conductor of the Latvian Radio lon and Berlin. delights with his bubbly language, well-pla- sons – the orchestra’s creative director, Choir, within “The Ring of Latvia” concert ced descriptions and light style of delivery. and distinguished conductor with multiple series. The intrigue is heightened by the most Grammy awards to his name – will perform Each of the concerts in the series 5 famous Latvian artists and literati of the on 13 October at the Latvian National Opera focuses on the idiosyncrasies, riches and 1930s appearing recognizable in the novel; and October 16 at Liepāja’s Great Amber energy of a different Latvian cultural region, it’s undeniable that protagonist Upenājs Concert Hall. They’ll be joined by soprano as seen by the locals. Homo Novus shares similarities with Eglītis himself. Kristīne Opolais, known from her appear- “Zemgale is the land of the plough and ances in the world’s largest opera theatres the sword, of fertile soil and of death. The Feature film. “Latvian Films for the and most prestigious concert halls. land of military marches and funeral music, Latvian Centenary” programme. On 14 October, Nelsons and Gewand- of time-honoured legends and confident when where 6 haus will be performing along with Swedish brass bands playing at open-air dances. trumpeter Håkan Hardenberger, one of Wide, tilled fields turn into battlefields and From 26 On screens across Latvia today’s most recognised masters of the burial grounds, and then yield crops again. September Born in Latvia instrument. From the fields of Zemgale sprung forth Lat- Concert cycle vian literary language, our first presidents and politicians, great poets and poetesses. when where Zemgale is as wide as its horizon, and Lat- 28 September, Great Guild Hall, via flows through it like the river Lielupe 13, 14, 16 Latvian National Opera, 7 whose tides bring together the rivulets of October Great Amber Concert souls dispersed in the plains of history,” Hall, Liepāja In the Tides of History says Inese Zandere, a poet and the author of Film concert in the “The Ring of the concert libretto, in describing her native Latvia” series cultural region. Roberts Rubīns is the film concert’s when where director and video artist. Also featured are Homo Novus is a romantic comedy of 17, 19, 26 Jelgava Culture Centre, the Latvian Radio Choir, the Latvian Radio intrigues and misunderstandings, directed October Concert Hall “Cēsis”, Big Band, soloists, as well as its musical by Anna Viduleja. It tells the story of Juris and Great Amber director, conductor Sigvards Kļava. Upenājs (Igors Šelegovskis), a young, poor Concert Hall, Liepāja and ambitious provincial artist who comes to Rīga from the countryside to win his place in the art world. As he lands into bohemian life and meets the love of his life on the first Autumn will see the continuation of the evening of his arrival, Juris’ early steps in “Born in Latvia” concert series, with perfor- Rīga become a series of comical and some- mances by Latvia-born classical musicians times touching misunderstandings. of world fame, as well as renowned foreign The film is based on the second prose artists. work of notable Latvian writer, journalist On 28 September, Iveta Apkalna – one and painter Anšlavs Eglītis. Tellingly entit- Europe’s most active and most popular solo led Homo Novus – from the Latin for “new organists – will perform at the Great Guild

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Dūmiņš, and producer Sabīne Andersone. of painting, graphic art, sculpture and pho- Sīmanis’ film tells the story of the efforts 8 It is a joint production between Latvia and tography from the collection of the Latvian Žanis Lipke’s family to save Jews during the Poland, made in cooperation with Poland’s National Museum of Art and private col- Second World War. It’s also a coming-of-age Letko studios. lections. It has the exhibition’s design and story in a tragic historical setting. Jēkabs, Mimmi and the scenography also incorporates elements of Ten-year-old Zigis (Matīss Kipļuks) lives Talking Dogs audio-visual media artworks. Artists rep- with his parents in Ķīpsala. The Second Animated feature. “Latvian Films for 9 resented in the exhibition include Janis World War has broken out, but Zigis spends the Latvian Centenary” programme Rozentāls, Johann Walter, Jēkabs Kazāks, his days carefree, going to school and play- Jāzeps Grosvalds, Oto un Uga Skulmes, ing with his friends and his inseparable when where Facial Expressions. The Valdemārs Tone, Jānis Pauļuks, Džemma companion, his dog Džeris. In 1942, the Ger- From 18 October On screens across Portrait in 20th Century Skulme, Imants Lancmanis, Miervaldis Polis, man army occupies Latvia, starting their Latvia Līga Purmale, Maija Tabaka, Boriss Bērziņš, campaign of oppression against the Jews. Latvia Biruta Baumane, Lea Davidova-Medene, Zigis’ father Žanis Lipke (Artūrs Skrastiņš) Exhibition Kārlis Zemdega, Kārlis Baumanis, Arta works in the Nazis’ Luftwaffe factory in Rīga, Dumpe, Jānis Mitrēvics, Gļebs Panteļejevs, where Jews from the ghetto are taken for when where Egons Spuris, Gunārs Binde, Inta Ruka, and forced labour every day. Being a passionate From 26 October Great Exhibition Hall many others. and fearless adventurer, Žanis devises a plan of the Latvian National to save the Jews who work in the factory Museum of Art and are destined for death. In the courtyard 10 of his house, he digs a bunker as their hiding place, and Zigis becomes a witness to these events. Žanis’ decision completely changes The Mover the lives of Zigis and his mother Johanna The centenary film,Jēkabs, Mimmi and the Dāvis Sīmanis’ feature film. “Latvian (Ilze Blauberga). Talking Dogs, is a summery adventure about Films for the Latvian Centenary” two children and a pack of talking dogs, programme. based on Luīze Pastore’s book Dog Town. Jēkabs, a boy from the Quiet Center of Rīga, when where has to spend the summer with relatives in From 30 October On screens across Maskačka, the other side of the town. His Latvia cousin Mimmi is quite unbearable, while his Portrait painting has long been one of the uncle, ex-sailor Uncle Eagle simply doesn’t most interesting genres, captivating the time for him. But Maskačka turns out to attention of artists and audiences across be a very unusual place, where dogs can all eras. A portrait can serve both as a tes- talk. Mimmi discovers that the mischievous timony to its time, as well as a depiction tycoon Imants Rausis wants to turn the of certain classes or personalities. Facial romantic district into an impersonal area Expressions. The Portrait in 20th Century Lat- of glass skyscrapers and shopping centres. via is envisioned as a continuation of the They can’t let that happen! Will the children, 2008 Rundāle Palace Museum exhibition teaming up with the talking dogs, overcome The Portrait in 19th Century Latvia and its line their differences and save Maskačka? of research, carried out with great attention The film was made by director Edmunds to the genre and its history of the previous Jansons, production designer Elīna Brasliņa, centuries. Based on Inese Zandere’s novel The Boy scriptwriter Līga Gaisa, animator Mārtiņš The exhibition features excellent works With a Dog. Story of a Secret Untold, Dāvis

34 35 Cinema Cinema Four White Shirts. Four White Shirts. Dina Kuple starring in

Līga Liepiņa and Uldis Pūcītis starring in Jean-Luc Godard. Despite the fact that in the film has been launched directly into a most cases comparisons such as “The Lit- well-deserved place among avant-garde clas- Our Very Own Godard tle Paris” or “The Switzerland of Vidzeme” sics. On the one hand, 2018 is the moment testify to provincialism, this time it’s not when international professionals in the text Lauma Mellēna-Bartkeviča incorrect to say Rolands Kalniņš is “our very field have testified to what Latvian film own Godard”, or to call Uldis Pūcītis “our professionals already knew and what con- This spring, one of the most exciting stories 50s and 60s of the previous century. This very own Belmondo”. Who knows, maybe noisseurs suspected; on the other, making in Latvian culture came from the Cannes period in European cinema is represented if fifty years hadn’t have passed before this it into Cannes Classics clearly marks a new Film Festival, where the restored version of by Jean-Luc Godard, François Truffaut, moment of recognition at the citadel of stage in the history of the film’s screenings; Rolands Kalniņš’ classic Four White Shirts Jacques Rivette, Claude Lelouch and oth- European film, we wouldn’t have to come this acknowledgement is a wonderful tool (1967, also known in Latvian as Breathe ers, the most notable actors being Alain up with such comparisons, for international market- Deeply!), – based on Gunārs Priede’s play Delon, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Anna Karina, as they would have been This time it’s not ing, which, if used correctly, and with score by Imants Kalniņš – was Brigitte Bardot, Catherine Deneuve, etc. On already established. With incorrect to say Rolands could help win back the included in the festival’s Classics program. 24 May at the EU House, Dita Rietuma gave regards to Godard, one Kalniņš is “our very own years the film was banned It’s quite possibly the greatest gift on Lat- a lecture entitled “Latvian Films in Cannes could even carry out com- Godard”, or to call Uldis under censorship. It should via’s centenary so far. Hopefully, this will Film Festivals”. Rietuma, a cinema stud- parative studies on the be added that the restored encourage those who had not heard of ies Ph.D. and the head of the National Film visual aesthetics, framing, Pūcītis “our very own version of Four White Shirts, it – or who only know the film’s lead Uldis Centre, confirmed that the film’s cinematic editing techniques, etc. Belmondo”. the work of Studija Loko- Pūcītis as the grandfather of the famous ten- language is comparable with the aforemen- When I try to imagine motīve, is in colour and has nis player Ernests Gulbis – to watch it. The tioned golden age, and that this – along how the senior Latvian greats – director removed many technical flaws, making it film defines an era – an era full of very com- with the fact that the film sheds light on the Rolands Kalniņš (1922) and cinematographer worth seeing in the cinema. Modern tech- plex, absurd decisions and censorship, but somewhat little-known space behind the Miks Zvirbulis (1937) – must have felt on the nology allows viewers to enjoy the colour bursting with unbelievable creativity. Back Iron Curtain at the time of the New Wave – Cannes red carpet this May, it seems to me and the film score. Both are important to then, the best ideas arose not in the name prompted Cannes organisers to select this that it must have been equal parts wonderful, Kalniņš’ subtle and poetic cinema. This of, but rather in spite of something. It’s per- film and include it in the classics selection surreal and inspiring. In essence, it’s Lat- is evident beginning with film artist Ieva haps the era’s most innovative movie in of the film festival, where Rolands Kalniņš’ via’s return to Europe, without the strange Kundziņa’s credits, written on the asphalt Latvian cinema, compared by profession- name appears in a list of fifteen classic juxtaposition of “here at home”, “abroad” or near the Rīga Film Studio with colourful als to what’s known in film history as the European films alongside Ingmar Bergman, “in the West” and speculation over archaic chalk, to Pauls Butkēvičs’ songs of which French New Wave, which crested in the Alfred Hitchcock, and the aforementioned arguments related to “authenticity”. Rather, many have become unofficial national hits

36 37 Cinema 100 years ago today

On The Four White Shirts. Peculiarities of Latvian Drinking Culture

text Aivars Madris photo Vika Eksta

– including “Viņi dejoja vienu vasaru” (“They a defender of the ensemble. The film is

Danced a Single Summer”), “Četri balti about youth, its black-and-white tenden- Uldis Pūcītis and Jāzeps Pīgoznis starring in krekli” (“Four White Shirts”), and “Dze- cies, dissatisfaction with the circumstances, guzes balss” (“The Voice of the Cuckoo”). and the unfavourable conditions for cre- And then there’s the far-off drone of a ative minds at the time when Europe was train, and the muffling of sound, a refer- shattered by the events of 1968. However, ence to the Kafkaesque nonsense of the this all takes place in a parallel universe, the censors’ meetings, or rather its resonance inner turmoil of which was little-known or in the consciousness of Cēzars Kalniņš, the completely unknown to the world at large. film’s protagonist. As I was writing this Such surprises can prove to be touching commentary, I asked people to name their for European culture, which has seemingly main associations with Four White Shirts, seen it all and where the modern trends are and many could say nothing other than more related to the current hotspots, the that they remember the title and the char- problems of refugees and migrants, Russia’s acters played by Uldis Pūcītis and Dina geopolitical distractions and the outrage Kuple. Therefore it’s opportune to share they cause. the film’s plot. Cēzars Kalniņš is an electri- The history of Latvian films at Cannes cian who writes songs in his free time and is not very long. The festival featured Laila plays in a youth band (called an “ensem- Pakalniņa’s documentary shorts The Linen, ble” in the film, as was pertinent in the The Ferry and The Mail in 1995 and the fea- era). Anita Sondore, a member of the Cul- ture film The Shoe in 1998. In 2010, Jurģis ture Committee, hears some of the songs Krāsons’ animated short To Swallow a Toad by accident and criticises them for being made it into the festival through a selec- immoral, free-thinking, and corruptive to tion of 5,000 films. And that’s it. It’s not young Soviet citizens. As a result, she starts so easy for a small country to compete in a drawn-out public debate which results in the gigantic film industry. That’s why it’s the songs being censored and banned. The heart-warming to see our avant-garde cin- problem grows to absurd proportions, as the ema able to compete with undisputed film accuser herself is on the verge of becoming classics.

38 100 years ago today 100 years ago today

Drink today and drink tomorrow, drinking after becoming free folk, after the matters of national health are always a pri- The fight against drinking in the Lat- And if you’re broke, you can borrow. 1905 revolution, after 1918 and all the other ority. Krustiņsons starts his message with a vian governorates started in the 1890s when important years in history. Just late last year, sceptical observation in the manner of Gar- the first temperance societies were estab- — 19th century poet local addiction specialist Jānis Strazdiņš lieb Merkel: “Among our different peoples, lished in Rīga, Jelgava, Liepāja and other Eduards Veidenbaums used an interview to sadly conclude that there are many who are so strongly used to cities. During the 1905 revolution, Latvian alcoholism is hereditary among Latvians, intoxicating drinks that they can’t do with- workers were staunch opponents of exces- having been passed down through sev- out them. Lacking vodka, they are ready to sive drinking. In the rural regions, too, one When my account’s dry I quench my thirst eral generations, while the drinking culture drink anything that smells like an alcoholic of the demands posed to the government with fortified wine, remains underdeveloped. Nevertheless, it spirit.” In pre-war Europe, alcohol was a in numerous petitions was to put an end to Until I throw a fit like a neurotic. shouldn’t be concluded that Latvian drink- very cheap and ubiquitous intoxicant, but the monopoly the Baltic German gentry had ing habits were left to slide unattended, as at the outbreak of the war consumption on the production and sale of alcohol. Phi- — Hip-hop group Singapūras Satīns if everyone had given up on the Latvian folk grew rapidly due to widespread psycholog- lanthropist Augusts Dombrovskis chose to as a hopeless forest of souls fallen irrevoca- ical tension. Military personnel also used help workers in their war against the hard bly into tempestuous sin. German preachers, alcohol as a means of mustering courage stuff. The Ziemeļblāzma House, which As early as the 18th century, Baltic-Ger- to whom we owe a great deal for their role and dulling down feelings. British soldiers he built for the local temperance society, man publicist Garlieb Merkel addressed, in in early Latvian literature and philology, received their so-called rum ration, consist- opened to the public in August 1904. Dom- no uncertain terms, the fact that Latvians made great efforts to lead the flock, stray- ing of about one-third of a pint each week brovskis also took great care to educate are intimately familiar with spirits. In his ing in fields wet with beer and stiff aquavit, to help them bear the awful environment the people, so that instead of raising shots book, The Latvians (Die Letten), he claims back on the right track. It’s thought that the of the trenches. French soldiers, of course, of vodka they would consume culture and the malaise of drinking to be the “secondary Christian tradition of condemning addiction were granted a daily ration of wine – usu- thus increase the national consciousness general characteristic of the Latvian folk”. laid the groundwork for the Latvian-organ- ally about half a litre of low-quality wine. In and the emotional intelligence of the peo- He identified the cause of this vice in the ised temperance movement and swayed the German trenches, the soldier’s ration ple. The other associations had more of a miserable conditions Latvians experienced public opinion against alcohol, starting was 0.5 litres of beer, or 125 mL of brandy social (the temperance associations Ausek- in serfdom, with alcohol being the only with the Moravian Church and continuing or vodka. It surely contributed to the fact lis, Rīts [Morning], and Apziņa [Awareness]), thing that can make them forget the deject- actively in the 20th century. that many soldiers became alcoholics upon evangelical (the Evangelical Temperance edness of their insignificance. To his readers, A hundred years ago, between news ded- returning home. Association, the Rīga Zilais Krusts [The Blue Merkel depicts a truly apocalyptical scene: icated to war and political events, the 12 Worries over the influence alcohol had Cross] Evangelical Association) or interna- “In gentle self-sacrifice, mothers share their August edition of the Rīga Latvian Newspa- on the course of the war were prevalent in tional bent, with the latter group not fitting own vodka glass with their breastfeeding per also published a piece by then chemistry Britain, Germany, the Austro-Hungarian into any of the aforementioned categories children. 14-year-old boys and girls drink student and later on professor and author Empire, France, and Italy. Different initia- (The Vidzeme Anti-Alcohol Association, vodka unflinchingly. There are but a few Jānis Krustiņsons, titled “Why Is Denatured tives and massive campaigns were launched and the Rīga Good Templars Association). men and women who don’t get drunk every Alcohol Undrinkable?” Despite its ostensi- to decrease alcohol consumption. Russia – Nevertheless, up until the First World Sunday, especially after communion.” (But bly scientific goal, the article aims to save the territory of Latvia was part of it at the War the associations had very little suc- let’s not forget that the Baltic German gen- drink-thirsty compatriots from dying due to time – took the most radical approach, with cess. The misery of drinking also shows up try expanded alcohol production and tavern drinking liquids suited for completely dif- Tsar Nikolai II announcing prohibition in in Latvian literature of the period, with the culture on a national scale – for profit. They ferent goals. August 1918 was a very “hot” 1914 and completely banning the production most popular tragedies initiated by alco- had every reason to kick themselves when time as concerns global geopolitics, with and sale of vodka. A total of 400 state-run hol most likely being Blaumanis’ life stories the peasantry became inveterate drinkers.) the important Battle of Amiens having just distilleries and 28,000 liquor stores were of Edgars and Krustiņš. While authors Merkel, of course, could naively hope that, concluded. The Entente broke the resist- closed, tax income shrank 30%, what turned inspired by naturalism – Augusts Deglavs with the abolishment of serfdom and the ance of the German army and changed the out to be a further step towards catastrophe, and Andrejs Upīts – approached the topic consolidation of the Latvian national iden- course of the war by using tanks. Meanwhile, because the population embarked on pro- on much harsher terms. Their early works tity, drinking would evaporate like smoke in Russia, the revolution was continu- ducing massive amounts of alcohol at home ascribe great meaning to the influence of from the Latvian gene pool. Nevertheless, ing in full force. The Latvian state would and, as a side effect, consuming substances alcohol on the human body and mind, espe- as is well known, the Letts still kept on be declared only a few months later, but that should never enter the human body. cially Upīts’ novels Sieviete (Woman) and

40 41 100 years ago today 100 years ago today

Zelts (Gold), as well as New Springs – the region, and over the litres people have Let all those entrusted with an office in be encouraged by Seimanis Putāns’ poem first work in the Robežnieki series. Deglavs drunk. He concludes with Biblical quota- a congregation, school, union, parish or “Rebirth”, published in his rather peculiar not only described the influence of alcohol tions condemning the vice. Another author, town abstain from drinking. Let fathers and collection of poems in the Latgalian dialect, on workers in his prose, but also actively Alfrēds Lipe, opted for a more tempered mothers tell and teach their children that Mankind’s Greatest Enemy: Anti-alcohol Poems partook in the Auseklis anti-alcohol associ- rhetoric in his pamphlet The Curse of Man- drinking is the misery of humankind.” for the People. ation. He published a collection of writings kind, or Drinking and Alcohol, self-published Returning to this day and age, it should by the association, and translated differ- in 1913. It does without any scary illustra- be conceded that alcoholic spirit circulates ent pamphlets such as The Modern Workers’ tions or vivid depictions, instead listing dry in the Latvian’s organism as naturally as We’ll only be reborn Movement and the Matter of Alcohol (1914), facts. The reader learns, for example, that water circulates in nature. The consumption when we defeat and Alcohol and the Worker’s Wife (1910). 1,312,704 buckets of state-produced vodka of alcohol is growing each year, and, from the greatest enemy, However, not all publications advocating were sold in Vidzeme in 1912, for the sum time to time, no fault is found with brews of the poison: alcohol. temperance were translations. Of course, of 11,185,496 roubles. Even though these a stranger sort. Often, the unskilled drink- That’s why everyone the works penned by local authors are efforts – according to data supplied by the ing culture of Latvians is blamed on 50 years who’s fit to fight – much more interesting. Among the old- authors themselves – have no significant of Soviet occupation, during which – one join our ranks est in the genre, according to the National effect, as alcohol consumption was grow- must admit – our compatriots not only against this beast. Library of Latvia catalogue, is Nikodēms ing year after year, the outbreak of the First learned to use fortified wine skilfully (it was Tell the young people Rancāns’ – a notable Catholic priest – quite World War and the prohibition instated by the cheapest and most popular intoxicant, that he’s no hero, pretentiously titled Drinking is the Latvi- the Tsar’s government was a breaking point which hasn’t lost its popularity, say, in the the guy who drinks ans’ Misfortune (1910). Despite its gratifying in the temperance movement. In Russia, the form of the Agdams fortified wine as men- bottoms up title, it should be noted that Latvians aren’t dry law was in force as late as 1925, while tioned in the Singapūras Satīns song), but for the first time. the only nation stricken by this misfor- the fledgling Republic of Latvia continued also mastered the craft of obtaining spirit Tell the young people tune. Rancāns chooses the tactic of scaring to fight drinking with newfound vigour not from the BF technical glue (called “Boris that the one the reader, saying that “every drinker has a seen before. As early as 1920, the govern- Fyodorovich” in slang use) and knocking who can’t say no to a glass shrivelled and yellowed skin, a red or blue ment discussed whether to announce a new back brake fluid. Later on, in the 1990s, the is a coward. nose, and the eyes and mind of a puppy. You dry law according to the American example. widely accessible Royal spirit (called “the The true hero can smell a drinker from afar. They can be In the end, it decided to adopt a law reg- piano”) – a litre sold on the black market for has a strong character big, having accumulated fat, or else dry as ulating alcoholic drinks. After a few years just 1.5 lats – helped maintain the euphoric that cannot be broken a stick.” He doesn’t shy away from spilling it grew into the famous “Law on Fight- feeling of freedom in one’s organism. While by a bad habit. ink to depict the life of a drunkard, showing ing Alcohol Abuse”, which forbade selling it seems that making and selling moon- The only hero who is even greater, how a “drinker falls into misery, becoming drink containing more than 1.5% of alcohol shine has been a tradition at all times and is the one who ill, poor and a beggar. The roof is leaking after 10 p.m. At the same time, the spe- under all governments, Krustiņsons’ writing doesn’t drink, and and he owes everyone money. His wife is cial Foundation Against Alcohol Abuse was testifies to the fact that the Latvian organ- encourages others to do the same. sickly and dried out, the children naked and established and put under the control of the ism, even 100 years ago, was always open to These words will be uneducated with their lips having noth- Interior and Education Ministries. The pub- different experiments involving intoxicat- greatly successful, ing but skin and bone…” In the pamphlet, lic and the state fought drinking with the ing and potentially lethal liquids, bringing only when we ourselves won’t Rancāns delves into detail over the origins harshest of means during the authoritarian to mind the later, more or less tragic events drink the glass. and effects of alcohol, and the diseases it regime of Kārlis Ulmanis. Perhaps this can involving the use of methylated spirit dur- Mankind will be saved causes. There are many horrendous pages be explained not only with the population ing the previous decade (the worst case was from degeneracy with even more appalling illustrations ded- becoming more docile in the face of power, in 2013 in Jelgava when six people died). only when the beast icated to the children of drinkers. Then but also Ulmanis’ reputation as a teetotaller. One can only conclude, with sadness, that that is alcohol is won. there’s a list of crimes committed by intox- As early as 1914, he had urged that “All the we haven’t really grown out of our desire icated people (“drinking and mischief”), as educated and those who take such a position for intoxication since the times of Merkel. well as scrupulous estimates over the sums in life that they are observed and followed by But, as they say, we must strive towards wasted on alcohol in the Latgale cultural many others should abstain from drinking. the light. May optimism and temperance

42 43 Art Art

The Latvian Song and Dance Festival

illustration Māris Bišofs

This year marks the 145th anniversary of the Latvian Song and Dance Festival. In the context of this event, the graphic and illustrative artist Māris Bišofs has created a series of drawings dedicated to the Song and Dance Festival; it is a creative interpretation, revealing new features in the semantics of the Festival. “Through the prism of his drawings,” the artist asks the Latvian society what the Festival, brimming with tradition, means to us, Latvians, what our attitudes towards it are, and what meaning it holds in our life and culture. Here we present a excerpt from the drawing series; the full exhi- bition The Song and Dance Festival. 12 Silk Screenings can be seen in the Neputns Gallery in Rīga, from 12 June to 10 August.

44 45 Art Art

text Agija Ābiķe-Kondrāte photo Ģirts Raģelis

46 47 Design Design

would nevertheless be on par developing postcard-size pho- received an honorary diploma at with other contemporary cam- tos, a light meter, the head of a the International Aircraft Exhibi- eras. The first functional Minox film stand, a loupe for viewing tion in Paris and first prize in the prototype was created in 1936. the negatives, envelopes for the King Cup Race competition in the After an unsuccessful attempt developed film, and a storage box category of two-man aircraft the Ten Centenary to launch production in Tallinn, for two rolls of Minox film. following year. Its international Walter Zapp and his business Minox production in Rīga debut in France was followed partner Richard Jürgens signed ceased in 1942 and did not start by successful participation in a contract with the State Elec- again. Production equipment exhibitions in Great Britain, Ger- Start-ups trotechnical Factory (Valsts was moved to Germany during many, and other countries. In July, elektrotehniskā fabrika, VEF) the war, where Minox GmbH, 1938, pilot Philip Avery flew from director Teodors Vītols, who founded by Walter Zapp, contin- London to Rīga in 9 hours and 5 text Jeļena Solovjova decided to initiate production ued the production of miniature minutes without landing, break- of the subminiature camera in cameras until 2012. ing Bert Hinkler’s previous record Rīga despite the fact that the by an hour and 40 minutes. Today, design – meaning the purposeful responsible for design. For instance, had factory had never worked on pre- VEF built twelve I-12 aircraft development of user-oriented solutions – Walter Zapp had the opportunity to par- cision mechanics projects before. until the outbreak of the Second is an integral part of innovation. Design ticipate in a start-up accelerator in 1936, Walter Zapp returned to his World War. Over the following is what makes technically complicated VEF Minox would have definitely received hometown, where he adapted the years, several other models were ideas accessible, attractive, and easy to large investments. The world’s smallest world’s smallest fully functional built, but the light destroyer I-16 use; design is a springboard for start-up camera of its time is an excellent exam- camera for industrial manufac- earned the most esteem. Devel- products and the development of globally ple of world-class made-in-Latvia product ture in a very short time – 18 opment started in 1939, and it important services. This advantage is not design, and it is not the only example. I months. Its size was not its only was planned that it would grad- relevant to the current century alone – have collected ten sustainable, innovative, innovative feature. Its mecha- VEF Aircraft ually replace imported planes internationally competitive solutions were and commercially successful Latvian pro- nism – the double film cassette The idea of industrial manu- in Latvia. A separate hangar was unimaginable without clever design during duct design achievements of Latvian and and telescopic chassis – was also factured aircraft at the State designated for the construction the time when inventors, artists-construc- global importance over the last hundred a novelty of its time, patented Electrotechnical Factory was con- of the destroyer, and a VEF plane tors, or other related professionals were years. by VEF in 22 countries around ceived in 1935 by the legendary factory was to be built in Ropaži. the world. The manufacture aviation engineer Kārlis Irbīte. These plans fell through because of cameras started in 1938, and VEF director Teodors Vītols sup- of the war, and the I-17 turned out 17,000 VEF Minox cameras were ported Irbītis’ idea – at the time, to be Kālis Irbītis’ last aircraft to The World’s Smallest is necessary to clarify that the made until World War II with the factory-owned subcontractor be entirely constructed at VEF. Camera, The VEF Minox gadget’s creator Walter Zapp is the inscription “Made in Latvia”. Latvijas Bērzs (“Latvian Birch”) The VEF Minox, the world’s a Rīga-born Baltic German who Each camera was manufactured was not only producing plywood smallest camera, is Latvia’s invented the miniature camera and assembled in Rīga; only the for VEF radio, but also quality most popular and commercially while living in Estonia. The Zapp optic glass and photographic film material for aviation equipment successful design solution on family went into exile in the West were imported in from Germany. finish, with large quantities an international scale, and the during World War I, but finally The camera was 17 x 27 x 70 mm, exported to war-haunted Europe only one to be exhibited in the settled in Tallinn. There, the tal- weighed 125 grams, and cost 248 and constituting an significant New York Museum of Modern ented autodidact Zapp started his lats. Additionally, camera owners part of VEF’s earnings. Irbītis’ Art (MoMA) so far. The camera apprenticeship in a photo studio could buy a deluxe VEF Minox first plane, the I-11, was designed Ērenpreiss is included in the Latvian Cul- in the 1920s and developed the accessory set – two enlargers, a in 1936 and served as the basic Then and Now tural Canon list of the 99 most idea of a small, easy-to-use cam- film developing tank for use out- prototype for the aircraft that Looking back at the history of valuable items, but, to be fair, it era whose technical parameters side the darkroom, an adapter for followed. The destroyer I-12 bicycle production, 1880s Latvia

48 49 Design Design

marks the spot where the first not only throughout Latvia, but in motor vehicle production in Norway, Sweden, Estonia, Lithua- Latvia, was the first small-size bicycle in Tsarist Russia was also in Estonia, Finland, Poland, post-war Latvia took place in nia, and other countries. bus in the territory of the Soviet created. Alexander Leutner’s and the Soviet Union. When the former Ērenpreiss work- Artist Ādolfs Irbītis, Kārlis Union, and remained the most pioneering bicycle workshop the USSR occupied Latvia, the shop, then known as The Red Irbītis’ youngest brother, was popular one for many years. The was one of the first bicycle fac- Ērenpreiss factory was nation- Star: the Rīga 18 bicycle was fit- appointed the head artist of the first minibus models in the Rīga tories in the territory of Latvia, alised and renamed the Red Star ted with a two-stroke D-4 bicycle VEF artistic construction depart- Bus Factory (Rīgas autobusu fab- soon to be followed by several State Bicycle Factory. Bicycle engine. The bicycle had a single ment after the Soviet occupation. rika, RAF) were created in the others. Bicycle production in production was stopped during horsepower and could obtain a The former production of a wide late 1950s, and the experimen- Latvia plummeted during the the war, and it restarted in the speed of 35 km/h. The motor- VEF Radio range of products was narrowed tal RAF-10 Festival and RAF-08 First World War, but it rapidly late 1940s. The factory shifted ised bicycle Gauja was created In March, 1925, an experimen- down to two priorities – radio Sprīdītis, as well as the RAF-977 recovered when the country to motor vehicle production a in 1961 with a slightly modified tal radio transmission took place and telephone equipment. The Latvija minibus, adapted to mass gained independence. In their decade later, and it took almost construction, based on the initial with the words “Hello, hello, Rīga VEF team initiated a concerted production, were all available for book From Leutner to Erenpreiss, half a century until the great prototype. radio testing!”, and the Rīga radio- effort to decrease the size of radio sale within and outside of the authors Edvīns Liepiņš and Jānis grandson of Gustavs Ērenpreiss’ Mopeds and motorcycles phone was launched in autumn of receivers in the late 1940s. Irbī- Soviet Union. Seregins note that, by the mid- brother restarted Latvian bicy- gradually replaced motorised the same year. The radio gradually tis’ Tourist (1955) enjoyed wide A new factory in Jelgava was 1930s, virtually no bicycles were cle production by overtaking the bicycles in The Red Star factory. gained popularity in Latvia, with popularity – a compact radio opened in the 1970s, and a new being imported since local bicy- brand. Toms Ērenpreiss opened The Rīga moped series was par- increasing demand for quality receiver, mimicking the shape basic model was added – the RAF- cle manufacturers could entirely a bicycle restoration workshop ticularly popular. The Rīga 1 was radio receivers that would allow of a woman’s handbag, with 2203. The ultramodern minibus provide the necessary supply. in 2006, and the production of created in 1960, followed by the the transmission of both local bright plastic – a material still looked different than the existing There were 299, 300 bicycles in four new Ērenpreiss bicycles was Rīga 3 (1965), the basic model and international radio broad- uncommon in Soviet manufac- RAF designs, largely interpreting use in Latvia in early 1941 – 42,059 started in 2012. The company Rīga 4 (1970) and several par- casts. The first radio sets in Latvia ture – replacing the plywood. the sculpture-like appearance of of them in Rīga. Since the early currently offers six types of bicy- ticularly sought-after types – the were produced by the Post and It was the first portable radio the Volkswagen Transporter – the 1930s, the number of bicycles cles for sale. models Rīga 12 (1973), Rīga 16 Telegraph Head Authority Main receiver in the Soviet Union. new vehicle, dubbed “little RAF” in Rīga had grown quicker than (1978) and Rīga 22 (1981), created Workshop, which was renamed The first transistor receiver, the by Soviet citizens, was a dynamic the population. Post-war esti- by designer Gunārs Glūdiņš. The the Pērkons (“Thunder”) work- Spīdola, supplemented the inno- wagon-type vehicle with eleven mates forecast that the number Rīga 12 moped is included in the shop, then rebranded again as the vative range of radio equipment seats. The minibus body could of cyclists in Rīga would grow Latvian Cultural Canon as a par- State Electrotechnical Factory in 1960. The Spīdola radio set was be adapted to serve various func- fivefold by the 1990s, and experts agon of Latvian industrial design. (Valsts elektrotehniskā fabrika, popular both within and outside tions – the minibus was widely suggested a reconsideration of The Red Star was one of the lead- VEF) in 1932. VEF produced an of the Soviet Union. All VEF radio used for city minibus routes, the city development plans. ing producers of motor vehicles extensive range of items in the receivers in the 1960s and 1970s ambulances and police vehicles. G. Ērenpreiss’ Bicycle Factory in the former Soviet Union in 1930s, inspiring the saying: “VEF were developed on the basis of The model could be modified for was the most productive bicy- the late 1960s, with an annual produces everything – from nee- this model. cargo transport, and small quan- cle manufacturer in the interwar The Red Star Mopeds production capacity of 113,000 dles to planes”; however, radio tities of minibuses with “luxury” period. The factory started oper- The production of motor vehicles mopeds, 59,000 mokicks, and was invariably one of the most interior design were offered for ations in 1927 and in 1940, it was in Latvia started along with the 16,000 minimokicks. The output sought-after product types manu- sale to private individuals in the proclaimed to be the largest and bicycle industry: the first motor- of mopeds and sports motor- factured both for local and export late 1980s as a part of a support most modern bicycle producer cycle in the Russian Empire, and cycles continued to grow in the markets. 75 different types of programme for large families. in the Baltics. The factory pro- the first motor vehicle on three 1980s; Delta, Stella, and other radio sets were developed under Among the most ambitious var- duced 70% of all bicycles bought wheels, a tricycle, was produced new models were released. The Kārlis Irbītis and Alberts Madi- iations of the RAF-2203 Latvija in Latvia, yielding 40,000 bikes in 1899. Motorcycles were not Red Star vehicles were sold not sons’ leadership from 1933 to 1941. were the experimental electro- per year. The volume of output produced in Latvia after the First only all across the Soviet Union, These were received positively The RAF-2203 mobiles designed for the 1980 increased to 200,000 bicycles World War, and the production of but also in Vietnam and Cuba. with distinction at international Latvija Minibus Olympics – the RAF-2207 and by early 1940, and the top-notch motor vehicles resumed only in The production of motor vehicles exhibitions, and 8,000 sets were The RAF Latvija minibus, the RAF-2910. The electromo- Ērenpreiss bicycles were sold the late 1950s. Early experiments in Latvia continued until 1998. exported annually to Finland, constructed and produced in bile could ride for up to 100 km

50 51 Design Design

with a single charge, but its max- BLUE Microphones (BLUE – Bal- company name, remains only the material components of the Infogram is an excellent rep- Gamechanger Audio product, imum speed did not exceed 30 tic Latvian Universal Electronics) historical – founders Mārtiņš product, has been fully developed resentation of how the new the Plus Pedal piano type guitar km/h. This car was mostly used in the US. The founders initially Saulespurēns and Skipper Wise, in Latvia: no previous skills are generation of designers think – pedal, was developed in 2017, and for maintenance during the mar- planned to produce high-qual- unable to satisfy the increas- required to use Mass Portal print- the solution is developed by it differs from other audio effect athon race in the Olympic Games, ity hand-made microphones for ingly growing demand, sold the ers. This year, Mass Portal FD1, focusing on user-oriented design devices with its unusual visual because it was quiet and did their musician friends, but their company ten years ago. The duo the world’s first professional 3D both in product development, as appearance, as well as the fact not produce harmful emissions. first microphone, the Bottle continues to operate under their printing material drier for stand- well as holistically in the com- that it represents a brand new Another electromobile, the RAF microphone, rapidly attracted new company, Neat Microphones. ard 3D printers, was introduced pany’s operations. The data type of audio effects – the sustain 2210, was developed after the interest in BLUE’s beautiful, to the Mass Portal product range. visualisation tool is in constant effect. The sound synthesising Olympics – it was used as a city high-quality audio equipment. The drier was created to make the development – the developers algorithm was fully developed by minibus. The electromobile could The Bottle microphone resem- printing material more durable analyse the users’ needs, perform the pedal’s creators. This year’s drive up to 70 km with a single bled 1930s audio devices, with its and the print itself more precise. testing, and gradually improve invention, the Plasma Pedal, is charge with a maximum speed of outstanding technical quality and the functionality of the prod- the first pedal with an overdrive 65 km/h. brightly coloured casing. uct. This kind of user-oriented, effect, which, instead of modi- In contrast with most solu- data-based design development fying sound with LED circuits, tions available on the market, the approach allows a broader look transistors or vacuum tubes, names of BLUE microphones at the field in Latvia, too. From generates the effect using a gas are not combinations of anon- Mass Portal Printers previously more traditional prod- discharge in xenon tubes. Electric ymous letters and digits, but Mass Portal, which has operated ucts, which are often local and discharges are transformed into purposefully chosen catchy and since 2013, is the only company geared towards the individual and an analogue audio signal, creat- memorable names and similes in the Baltics that produces 3D The Infogram Data his consumption habits, 21st-cen- ing an incredibly powerful rapid that highlight the unique nature printing equipment. Mass Por- Visualisation Tool tury design has developed into a sound manipulation, audible to of their microphones. The most tal differs from other printers The Infogram data visualisation global, inter-disciplinary instru- musicians during performance. BLUE Microphones well-known BLUE microphone on the market with its fast per- tool is a next generation design ment of societal importance for The studio microphone company projects of the current millen- formance, precision, low level solution created and developed solving social problems. BLUE Microphones was estab- nium are the Spark Digital – the of vibration and noise, and an in Latvia for solving global prob- lished by Latvian sound engineer first microphone to combine intuitive, well thought-out visual lems – to present complicated Mārtiņš Saulespurēns, and, for USB and iOS compatibility – and design and interface. The num- data conveniently, quickly, and over 20 years, the company has the Yeti microphone – the high- ber of Mass Portal products has effectively. It is a SaaS (software been producing award-win- est-selling BLUE product, the significantly increased over five as a service) type product, where ning sound equipment, used by most popular USB microphone years of development, and the the user creates interactive data world-famous musicians such in the world, and the first THX producer highlights the MoNaDe visualisations, information panels, as Madonna, Sting, Pink, Norah (Tomlinson Holman’s crosso- (Modular Natural Design) con- and other visual structures online. Jones, and others. Mārtiņš ver) certified microphone. The cept as a significant quality The data visualisation tool is used Saulespurēns, the founder of Ball microphone series is also indicator, which means “intro- by almost 4 million people world- BLUE Microphones, grew up in a well-known and much enjoyed, ducing unified design principles wide, but the content created Guitar Pedals that family of professional musicians, including the Ball, Eight- throughout the entire product using Infogram is viewed 61.85 Transform Music studied engineering and spent ball, Kickball, and Snowball line, from desktop to mass pro- million times per month. Last Representatives of the inno- more than twenty years working microphones. duction, based on convenience of year, due to its international suc- vative company Gamechanger in the Latvian Academy of Music Unfortunately, despite the use, performance capacity, clean cess, Infogram received the first Audio have achieved remarkable and restoring microphones. In successful operations of the materials and production tech- National Design Award of Lat- success over a couple of years – the mid-1990s, he met the musi- founders, the relationship of nology”. The MoNaDe principle via 2017, highlighting the role of Latvian-made guitar pedals are cian Skipper Wise and together BLUE Microphones to the Bal- is also apparent in the convenient non-material design and develop- known among professional musi- they established the company tic region, as encoded in the interface design, which, as with ment potential in Latvian design. cians all over the world. The first

52 53 Poetry Poetry

Your depression is natural. People will have the chance and choice to blame you. And they will. But they aren’t important at all. I can explain the harsh cold you feel at night, the warmth of the midday sun. And what can’t be explained, you will remember forever like a downpour in a new city. The inability to sleep, arms wrapped around you at night, that park, the song you listen to when you are alone, darkness, leaves falling, reeds moving, the softest moss under your feet. You are going to swim naked, the waves will welcome you, and see over there? The backdrop of dunes. You will age and your face will sadden like an oilcloth because your skin will absorb every little thing – every conversation, every struggle. You will do ordinary things expecting the extraordinary. Sand, your swimsuit on the ground, your irregular breathing, the heat. A seagull flies towards the wind turbine and, you know, we all grow old alone.

In September 2017, Henriks Eliass Zēgners took part in a workshop where text Henriks Eliass Zēgners poets from Latvia and the UK translated one another’s works over the course of several days. The translation workshops were organised by the translation Kathrine Sowerby Latvian Literature platform as part of its preparations for Latvia’s participa- illustration Agnese Tauriņa tion in the 2018 London Book Fair.

54 55 History

Conflicting Memories are an Everyday Occurrence

Toms Ķencis, Latvian Folklore Repository researcher at the University of Latvia Institute of Literature, Folklore, and Art, is a philosopher, cultural critic, and screenwriter for the documentaries Curonians and Baltic Tribes. During our interview, he continuously stressed that he is not a historian and cannot provide an informed answer to certain of our question; still, we mostly discuss Latvian history – the mythical and the real. Interview by Ilmārs Šlāpins.

photo Ģirts Raģelis History History

Is it possible to know anything about the history in its essence appears not as some- introducing changes: they will no longer inspection, it might look confusing. What past with 100% certainty? Is it not the thing that has happened, but as something require dates to be memorised in history are these medieval-looking symbols? Why case that everything we call history is a told, shaped, and described. classes. are they arranged this way, and what do they folklorised notion in the collective myth- God forbid! (Laughs.) It used to be some- mean? Still, living within this culture and ological conscience? Does it mean that two or more paral- thing you could hang on to – if you knew a this land, it all unconsciously accumulates We can refer to St. Augustine who said it so lel conceptions of history can exist in a couple of dates, you could survive. I think knowledge over time. Then, the story of the beautifully: “what has been exists no more, society? it is sufficient just to know the century, freedom fighters adds to the symbolism of but what will be does not exist yet, and the I think that “conflicting memories” is a nat- because years, just like, say, dates – 9 May, the coat of arms. By the way, I just heard his- sole thing that really exists and cannot be ural phenomenon that stems from the way 18 November – are signs that seem to set a torians talking about how the correct term is questioned is the present day.” I think the a person perceives the world and associ- marker in the flow of time, but do not really “War of Independence”; “freedom struggles” case with any kind of past, including the ates this perception of the world with their make the event comprehensible. 18 Novem- is not the correct name. But, you see, that’s past related to collective conscience, is the personal or group identity. Identities are ber is a date when several men and a few how all these details merge into common same as with personal past – we remember related to narratives, they are different, and women came together, signed an act, and knowledge. things for a while, then we forget them, and nowadays we cannot expect to have a united took photos. The events of this date itself do then these memories change. Childhood model of history and accept it as abso- not convey anything about the process that How important is it for a people or nation appears sunnier, the grass seems greener, lute truth. Someone will always contest it lasted for several decades, while the Latvian to know their history or to think about it the unpleasant is forgotten, and thus the or choose a different perspective, and, as state came into being and was then formally and be aware of it? memory process continues. History is a way knowledge turns into a social phenomenon secured in a certain way. The same, I think, Extremely important. Awareness of one’s of recording these memories. or something being actively applies to other dates as well. history is one of the founda- Nowadays we cannot relived by people, there will For example, the Northern War Awareness of one’s tions of a nation’s identity; Psychologists know that expect to have a be conflicting memories. ended on such and such a date history is one of the an identity that is usually memories can also be bor- united model of French historian – it doesn’t tell us anything foundations of a related to a certain territory is rowed. Many things we François Hartog, wrote a about how and why war broke thus associated with a social remember from our child- history and accept it very beautiful book, which out, not about the aftermath nation’s identity. community that may speak a hood are actually our as absolute truth. concludes with an idea of of the war, not even where it common language or at least parents’ stories. the contemporary burden took place. A good example is the revolution associate itself with the same message. We Similarly, we remember Kārlis Ulmanis’ of history, namely, the fact that history is that allegedly took place in 1917. There were can imagine this territory as a plane. There regime, but many of these “memories” increasingly often associated with mem- events in autumn in Saint Petersburg (then are few interconnected people on it, but come the filmServing a Rich Mistress or ory with social memory, collective memory, called Petrograd), but the entire process had time would be like an abyss, where the same other cultural media, which, as with our with memory that imposes some sort of already started during the First World War thing repeats itself generation after gener- parents’ stories, constitute personal mem- obligation. And memory, in contrast to his- at the latest, but, the further away from Saint ation; it is possible to identify with it and ories, and the collective memory. The past tory, has the ill fortune in that the act of Petersburg, the longer the process took in feel stronger connections to this territory – just as with any person’s individual expe- recalling a memory activates the past in the the periphery of the Soviet Union – in 1917, and with the people living there. That could rience – is a stew of phenomena; it accents present, while history concerns the past. As there were no signs at all in the republics of be an answer. Actually, the story about the some signs that we arrange into narratives. a result, the contemporary culture of mem- the Caucasus, and further beyond the Cauca- relationship between the state and history It would be impossible to derive political ory has burdened us with the presence of sus whatsoever! is as old as the development of national- history or any other coherent view of the history. ism. We can refer to Fichte’s Addresses to past from this stew of phenomena, or even Latvia too has built its story around its the German Nation (1808) – anti-Napoleon from our own personal narrative. There- There is another modern phenomenon: birthday on 18 November, 1918, although writings in which Fichte invites the folk to fore, we need stories in which individual people choose not to burden themselves the process took much longer. recognise themselves. He nicely refers to experiences are accumulated and which dis- with memorising, knowing that they Dates become an attribute of the coun- history, speaking of the Teutons’ victory cuss different phenomena that transcend can Google information at any moment. try just like a flag or a coat of arms. They over the Romans at the beginning of the AD the person, at least regarding organisations, Finland, which already has the best edu- are simply located in time. We can con- era, which is also related to early 19th-cen- processes in the culture, or the state. Thus, cation system in the world, is currently sider Latvia’s coat of arms, and, upon closer tury Germany. The same Addresses to the

58 59 History History

German Nation later were a strong inspira- is not the unknown process of what it was I would still place my bets on the “genre Tribes. These tribes were quite separate from tion for Kronvaldu Atis who used them as like, but rather the story of its reconstruction, economy”, containing a system we can view one another during the first millennium A.D., a basis for the first patriotic Latvian man- namely, the things we can use to draw inspira- post factum – it is not a rule, so it is not a each on their own, then came the medie- ifesto The Love of Fatherland (1871), and in tion or confidence. For example, the Latvian definitive conclusion about why there is no val ages, the Northern Crusades started, and it, like a kind of analysis and precondition language is used to research notions of Pro- history in folk songs. The other explana- some tribes started to die out and no longer at the same time, he mentions that there to-Indo-Europeans that have survived in the tion – folk songs actually are about history, existed in the sixteenth century. Some people are seven sources for the love of fatherland. language for tens of thousands of years, and it’s just that we don’t recognise it, and it has today identify with the Curonians or Latga- Among these seven sources three or four are language as a contemporary phenomenon, as dissolved, disappeared, transformed, maybe lians, and, in my opinion, we can thus say that directly related to history – both the his- something that belongs to us thus relates to a line has been forgotten, a word has been the Baltic tribes still exist. From the south- tory of the earth, as well as eminent figures tens of thousands of years past. changed. Folk songs do teach us many things east, there were approximately ten of them: of the nation and history in the landscape or about history, about different types of mil- Prussians, who ceased to exist in the 16th folklore, I don’t remember precisely. Either Why are there virtually no historical facts itary service, beginning with the ancient century, Yotvingians and Galindians, who dis- way, it is something like a nationalist tradi- in Latvian folk songs, why are there no his- pillaging gangs that crossed the region to appeared even earlier; then the Lithuanians tion – to establish notions of history related torical events preserved in these songs? steal a bride, ending with conscription in the and Aukštaitians, if my knowledge of Lithua- to the country of the present day. Herder’s There are historical legends, but nothing in tsar’s army. All of these are historical phe- nia’s history doesn’t fail me, were quite united ideas were very important in the develop- the folk songs. nomena that appear in folk songs. We just in the 13th century, but they had not joined the ment of the concept of zeitgeist, which later I think this question should be addressed to have to know how to read them. The third Samogitians yet, with whom they had a polit- inspired ideas over the spirit of the people as someone else, but I can try to share my ideas. answer – during the develop- ical union from time to time. a uniting, national element that transcends Folk songs do not contain particular infor- ment of the basic corpus of Our present knowledge But then they united and cre- personalities and that can conveniently mation, for example, on how to cure colic, folk songs, whatever it might does not allow us to say ated the powerful medieval and easily serve as the basis for defining an and, taking into account that it is oral culture, have been like, there was with confidence: “no, Lithuanian state. These are ethno-national community and relate to peo- this genre has quite a distinct “economy” or no idea of a history, no such it could not have been the Prussian and Lithuanian ple’s right for self-determination. Influenced “economics”, how should I say it… namely, dif- conception, no perception of tribes. Latvia had the Curo- by these ideas, new nation states emerged ferent genres address different matters and history and no information like that”, or: nians who are more closely after the First World War. different topics. Fairy tales address one set of that they would need or want “yes, that’s exactly related to Prussians; Selo- phenomena, and folk songs another. Incanta- to put in a folk song. Oh, but how it was”. nians and, across the river, How do you comment on the notion tions and riddles refer to something else that there are folk songs about Latgalians. Latgalians were rooted in the Latvians’ conscience that we is related to their usage. But none of these going to the Prussian borders and about all the largest tribe in Latvia’s territory. So, these are an ancient folk – thousands of years is universal. For instance, fairy tales do not kinds of battles, it’s just that these events are are nine tribes… old? describe some characters that appear in folk described in a personal and poetic way which Well, we are about three, so why not? songs; folk songs have a very limited num- is not a “view from above”, as it is today, but What is the degree of scientific accuracy of ber of creatures depicted, it is much broader it is related to the individuals involved. Riv- this film? Three millennia? in fairy tales. For instance, there is nothing ers of blood, bridges of bones – just the way The film is based solely on scientific material, Yes, well, at the very least. Latvians and their about mushrooms in folk songs – if there it should be. which is used as a basis for developing liter- grandfathers. are no mushrooms, abundant in every forest, ary interpretation and dramatic imagination why should there be anything about such an Is “Baltic tribes” a legitimate historical to tell this story. The scientific material is not But the Poles, Belarusians, Russians, and abstract construct as history? term? carved in stone and it can be interpreted in Germans are also the grandfathers of Well, not really. But the term is commonly various ways. The authors of the film propose Latvians. Other peoples have songs about historical used in history. We have been talking about a couple of hypotheses over the course of the These are rather Lithuanians and Prus- events. the small ancient peoples, which would be film. Our present knowledge does not allow sians. But I am not a historian, I can err by It’s highly possible that this is related to the the legitimate contemporary term, when us to say with confidence: “no, it could not a thousand years more or less; still, I would other folk song or singing traditions, with a we’re talking about tribes. We are used to it, have been like that”, or: “yes, that’s exactly say that three, three and a half thousand is different type of circulation, with an entirely and it sounds much better than “small peo- how it was”. There is a blank space, and we quite certain. What might be more telling different kind of songs than the Latvian ones. ples”. This is why the film is called Baltic use it to tell the story of the ancient Balts.

60 61 Celebration Celebration

8). 8). they’ve identified the most characteristic threshing season, coming-of-age celebra- qualities of open-air dances then and now, tions, etc. also recording amusing reminiscences of “Back then, it went like this: you tidy up people’s experiences at these parties. These the house on Saturday and go into the sauna. have been collected and published in Zaļum- Sundays were for church, and dancing. Then, balle, a booklet about this tradition. when the kolkhozes arrived, Sunday became So what is the situation with open- a holiday: then the open-air dances were air dances in Latvia nowadays? What has organised on Saturdays. Before that, they changed within the customarily popular tra- took place only on Sundays until 3 a.m., no dition, which became a staple of summer longer. At 3 a.m. you had to leave peacefully, entertainment in the latter half of the 19th as the next day you had to go to work. But century, as different societies and public when the dances were held on Saturday eve- organisations started throwing an increas- nings, all hell broke loose, I tell you!” (From ing number of outdoor events? At that time, an interview with V. Treijs in Eikaži, Krim- open-air dances were also called “greenery ulda Municipality.) pleasures” or “greenery celebrations”, and “In the earlier days, they didn’t stop Photo by R. Kalniņš. Cēsis History and Art Museum collection. always took place concur- dancing at 3 or 4 a.m. They rently with a play or a choral Back then, it went like stopped between 6 and 7 a.m. concert, followed by recrea- this: you tidy up the This was mandatory. The tional dancing. Then, open-air dances never concluded ear-

The Grīnbergi family ensemble The Jolly Folk from Vidzeme in Drabeši (193 dances were held at “ever-so- house on Saturday lier than that. There were The Tradition of Open-Air Dance nice places”, such as parks, and go into the sauna. people who danced the entire birch groves, river banks, Sundays were for night, who danced each dance. is Still Alive in Latvia meadows, valleys, castle church, and dancing. We repeated each song twice.” mounds and castle ruins. (From an interview with A. text Ieva Vītola Pugačs in Jēkabpils.) Party days and locations Nowadays, open-air dances usually “Zaļumballe” ¹ is a beautiful and sonorous Eizenšmits, while my 95-year-old aunt recalls The tradition of open-air dance has not dis- take place on open-air stages and in town Latvian word, still used to refer to an out- open-air dances with brass bands, slow fox- appeared throughout the years, but it has squares. Prior to that, however, many places door event in the summer, accompanied trot, the tango, and the Lambeth Walk, the changed. At one time, open-air dances took in Latvia had purpose-built locations for by music and dancing. Truth be told, each arduous squats of which made your legs hurt place almost every weekend, but now they’re open-air dances. These were the so-called generation has different associations with so much it was difficult to milk the cows the mostly held on Midsummer’s Eve, during “dance squares”, “greenery squares”, “dance the word. To my daughter, who attended day after. municipal celebrations or, in some places in fields”, and “dance spots”. The location of her first open-air dance this May, it’s a party On 11 August, 2018 – 100 days before Lat- Latvia, following the commemorative burial the open-air dance was often fitted with with a DJ on an open-air stage. To me, open- via’s birthday – people will come together rituals known as kapu svētki. benches, situated around the dance area, as air dance conjures the music of Labvēlīgais in at least 120 locations in Latvia for the Earlier, open-air dances took place from well as a small platform for the musicians. Tips, colourful lights in the dark of the ruins Centenary Open-Air Dance Party. In antici- late spring to the end of summer, usually In some instances, a dance floor was built of the Sigulda Castle, and traversing the pation for the event, the multi-industry art after work on Saturdays, often on Sundays, as well. The entrance and the ticket office entire town at sunrise. My dad thinks of group Serde have researched the tradition of and during different celebrations. In the were marked with the gates of honour or the “Ievziedu” open-air dance with a stage open-air dances in Latvia. In interviews with inter-war period, these celebrations were the decorative birch boughs. To supplement the ensemble and songs sung by Raimonds open-air dancers, musicians and organisers, Pentecost, Midsummer, local song festivals, moonlight, the party squares were lit by bon- while during Soviet times open-air dances fires, string lights put in trees, and spotlights. were held in events important to collective Even now the Latvian landscape features 1 Translator’s note: Henceforth referred to as “open-air dance”. The Latvian word is a portmanteau from zaļumi (greenery) and balle (ball, party). life, such as the conclusion of the sowing and such locations, once fitted for dancing with

62 63 Celebration Celebration

tree saplings and platforms for musicians, themselves to the joy of performing. more expansive, and party organisers have to evenings like these. Back then, it wasn’t such as the Kuiķule natural harbour on the Earlier the musical repertoire of open- think hard about finding suitable musicians like now when you can’t buy drink after 10 bank of Svētupe, the open-air dance loca- air dances was dominated by schlager music, and, because of this, of setting appropriate p.m. You could sell all night, and you could tion next to the Meiri home in the Dundaga the most beloved hits of which were “By the ticket prices. drive too. There were no speed limits on the Municipality, the Siliņi woods in Staicele, etc. Amber Sea”, “The Blue Kerchief”, “Brown- “Everyone came to the parties. It was all roads.” (From an interview with M. Num- Up to the Second World War, such large- Eyed Girl”, and “I Know I’ll Have a Little jolly good fun. This was in the 70s. As time murs in Kuiķule, Salacgrīva Municipality.) scale open-air events – with participants Garden Someday”, etc. When speaking of the went on, there were fewer people. And then numbering in the hundreds – were most most popular melodies in open-air dances, it died out – there was no one left.” (From an Unwritten rules often managed by different organisations, musicians often divide the timeline between interview with P. Ščuckis in Varakļāni.) There were some other unwritten rules. including volunteer fire-fighters; the Aizsargi before and after Raimonds Pauls’ songs. You had to wear decent clothes to the party. paramilitary organisation; teachers’, farm- Nowadays, it’s mostly DJs who provide Refreshments and fighting Ladies invariably wore dresses or skirts to ers’, and other types of associations; as well the music for open-air dances. The disco era, Some phenomena linked to open-air dances the open-air dance. Boys eschewed ripped as party offices, labour unions, and schools. which started in the 1970s and 1980s, heavily can still be found, such as the buffet of jeans or sagging sports trousers. Further- Open-air dances also took place in people’s influenced the tradition of open-air dances snacks and spirits and the ensuing fights more, open-air dances were always a place to backyards, as well as in barns and threshing in Latvia. Brass bands with horn music were among boys and men. It’s the buffet – serv- show off what was fashionable at the time. In houses, where the local youth came together, outcompeted by electric guitars, synthesiz- ing as it does to “lift one’s spirits” and the 1950s, stylish boys wore shoes with very usually in early summer or when it rained, ers, and tape players. Many stage ensembles “enhance courage” – which gave the male thick soles coupled with very tight pants. after having arranged the time and place and small countryside orchestras disbanded. dancers the courage not just to conduct Then wide-leg trousers and flowery shirts once they got together following church ser- The younger generation no longer knew themselves in a stately manner, but also to came along; then jeans, turtlenecks, and so vice or as the previous party was drawing words used to refer to stage musicians, such initiate or get involved in fights. As such, the on. to a close. These were called “barn dances”, as misiņgrauzēji ², taurnieki ³, and prāģeri ⁴. buffet is often considered to be the negative If they wanted musicians to repeat a “threshing-house dances”, “corner parties” or, The rhythms of the slow foxtrot, the tango, side of the tradition. It’s why newspapers song, the audience clapped incessantly on as they used to call open-air dances in Lat- and the waltz were heard less and less often, sometimes referred to open-air dances in the dance floor. It was considered well-man- gale, the vecherinkas (from the Russian for with many dancers starting to “kick around” condemnatory terms such as “dancing to bad nered, after it was the ladies’ turn to ask for “party”). and “shake themselves” of their own accord. music”, “drunken roaring”, “shallow green- a dance, to ask them back and dance with “Then, in the summer, parties were held “In the end, it turned out that every- ery celebrations”, “bush culture”, etc. them at least once or twice. Refusals weren’t in threshing houses. These were so great! one danced by themselves and no longer Nowadays, too, open-air dances can well tolerated. In Bērzciems, near Engure, if There were decorative birch boughs all needed a partner. Everyone danced, tossed serve as the places where – just as long a boy refused to dance at a party, the women around. Musicians were playing and dancers about, and swayed – alone.” (From an inter- ago – villages, parishes, and neighbourhoods pooled their money and sent him home. were dancing.” (From an interview with A. view with R. Jukevičs in Ragana, Krimulda “resolve their relationships”. Ethnic dis- Another unwritten rule: Inviting your wife Jukevičs in Ragana, Krimulda Municipality.) Municipality.) putes are being settled between Latvians and or girlfriend to dance the first waltz, and “Now there are much fewer brass bands. Russians, and the age-old reason for fight- only then waltzing with another lady or the The age of disco, and demography Parties featuring brass bands are rare nowa- ing – who gets the girl – hasn’t disappeared. neighbour. The male dance partner was to Musicians are an integral part of any open- days.” (From an interview with A. Muižnieks Nevertheless, if fists were the only means to accompany his partner for the last dance air dance. Being a party musician was in Sigulda.) secure victory previously, with the passage home. once a prestigious thing. The tradition of The demographic situation in the Latvian of time this unwritten rule has given way, “There were ladies’ dances and applause. open-air dances is closely related to folk countryside hasn’t served open-air dances with various accessories such as whips and They wanted an encore. Everyone was stand- musicians. It was often where, on the one well, either. Many remember the image of sticks among others, and kicking becoming ing, applauding and the musicians started hand, people were inspired to learn to play a dance squares bursting with people, to the commonplace. anew.” (From an interview with U. Gulbis in musical instrument, and, on the other, they point where “the plank floor creaked and “What’s an open-air dance? It absolutely Āraiši, Amata Municipality.) could practice their music skills and lose swayed”. Now dancing has become freer and must have a buffet!” (From an interview with “If a girl asked me to dance, I had to ask A. Zdanovskis in Jēkabpils.) her back for the next dance. It was an obli- “You could buy many things from the gation. It was a law: after the ladies’ dance, I 2 Literally, “brass eaters”. 3 Trumpet players and horn players. 4 Travelling musicians. buffet, but drink is of most importance in must ask the same girl who asked me. It was

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not written anywhere, but these rules were communicated from one person to another. It was good manners.” (From an inter- view with A. Jukevičs in Ragana, Krimulda Municipality.)

Reproductive and social role Early on, people spent “cosy and useful” time at open-air dances. Young and old peo- ple were in attendance. Children went along, making mischief around the bushes. Some of them – the sharpest – collected the lost coins The Gaujiena Culture House Singers, under the direction and empty bottles as the sun rose. of Rihards Dauškāns, at the Smidzis open-air barn dance But, over time, the social role of the (1970). Photo from the collection of the Gaujiena People’s open-air dance has shifted, too. Earlier, you House in Ape. learned the village news at the dance. There were often older women sitting on the people met. There weren’t many who sat in benches, observing what took place on the the bars. The dances were the main thing, dance floor and interpreting it as they saw fit. after which, in 90% of the cases, marriage Of course, they retold it to others in the fol- ensued!” (From an interview with A. Miha- lowing days. Now, in the era of mass media lovskis in Jēkabpils.) and social networks, it’s no longer relevant, as there is enough news and other topics to *** think about and discuss either way. Thinking of the future of open-air dances in “Young people came to the thresh- Latvia, it seems that the current situation ing-house parties, but the kolkhoz parties will continue, and open-ai r events on stages were also attended by all the old ladies, who with DJ music and beer and cider tents will sat there until the lights went out. They be considered to be real open-air dances. watched who danced with whom. They But there’s a chance that the tradition of observed everything and talked about open-air dances will undergo a revival and it! (Laughs.)” (From an interview with A. that they will once again happen in the age- Jukevičs in Ragana, Krimulda Municipality.) old locations with horn music, waltzes, and The role open-air dances played in ladies’ dances leaving the party-goers with encouraging reproductive processes has also memories of true open-air dances: diminished. Earlier, open-air dances were a “It’s called Dubrīte. It’s in the midst of place where people would meet, take a lik- the woods, a very nice place – a forest glade. The Best Country ing to one another, and dance together. This There were benches lining the clearing. And was often followed by weddings and estab- there were decorative birch boughs next to lishing new families. Nowadays, sympathies the benches. Elegant – that’s what I would in the World can still be felt in the air, and some romantic call it! And there was a special space for the walks where girls are accompanied on their musicians to sit and play. For lighting there text Uldis Rudaks photo Ģirts Raģelis way home after the dance still happen here was either the moon or the usual kerosene and there. lamps.” (From an interview with V. Putroms “The dances were the main place young in Vabole, Daugavpils Municipality.)

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Latvia is the best country in the world. Like the Wow! Will I be asked to partake in the - It’s quite simple these days! Take a of cigarettes fallen through a window or hole end credits of a film, this message shows up festivities some way, and receive my own photo with your phone and send it to me. somewhere. No one else tries to grab them beneath every picture that appears before share of the festival budget? Dollar signs Otherwise, I would be buying a cat in a bag or pounce on them, though I do pick up a my eyes. These letters fade in and out in an start spinning above the still-blinking writ- only to be further inconvenienced when I single pack. Somewhat insecurely – what unchanging interval, to the slow rhythm of ing in my vision, with the violins from “Tik have to send it back. would the customers and the newsstand lady Uldis Stabulnieks’ “Tik un tā,” with its sob- un tā” continuing to sing. The dollar signs - It’s 100% satisfaction guaranteed! – the say? But everyone looks at me and smiles. bing violin repeated over and over. The violin suddenly turn into coins – kopeks and metal caller tries to convince me but nevertheless “Smoking helps you discover previously can be heard before Stabulnieks starts sing- roubles with their beheaded Lenin; santims, writes down my email to which, in the end, unknown talents,” a notice on the packet ing, and only through the lyrics is it revealed salmon and cows ; cents and euros. she doesn’t send a picture as she’s written addresses me from the space where, up to that this isn’t a sad tune, but rather an uplift- - You’re in luck, as the computer has ran- it down incorrectly. Maybe I don’t need the now, there had always been terrifying pic- ing one. But all I can hear is the violin. On domly selected this particular phone number medal after all? tures and threats of impotence, blindness or and on it goes, with the letters appearing and – and it’s yours! We are offering exclusive Of course, the woman is persistent and lung cancer. No, this is impossible! I’ve heard disappearing endlessly. Latvian Centenary medals the same size as calls again the next day, correcting the incor- you’re supposed to pinch yourself to make After chopping dill, I lick the knife. Well, the old five-lat coin, minted at the very same rect letter and writing down, finally, Rudaks sure you’re not dreaming, but I don’t even I don’t lick it, exactly. I guide the blade North American facility. The gold medals instead of the more sonorous and under- have to do this to myself – the next passing through my lips, having put its full length are just €49.99 and the silver ones are only standable Rubaks . In the end, I order the cyclist pinches me in the butt, approaching inside my mouth and then slowly pull it out €19.99. However, the demand for the latter medal, and, turns out, it’s quite pretty. At the spot newly occupied by the newsstand, to collect whatever remained stuck with- is so great that they may sell out any sec- least I’ll have something to give to a foreign which returns to its previous spot as quickly out cutting my lips, tongue or cheeks. I don’t ond now, so, I’m sorry to break it to you, but friend. And kudos to the woman for doing as it had before. One person standing in taste blood in my mouth. So I’ve succeeded. you can only buy one of these. This will be a her not entirely easy job. line, however, is lost in revery and doesn’t It’s nothing special, really, I conclude, after great gift to someone as a keepsake, perhaps The door slams, and I’m out on the see the approaching bicycle, but he is lifted chewing the dill a little, instinctively, and even passed down in the family until Latvia’s street. I don’t, however, hear the usual by his clothes and carried away by a flock then swallowing it. But then I’m struck by bicentenary, when its value will have skyrock- click of the numerical lock among the of birds appearing out of the blue. I recog- fear, as the blade is at least twenty centime- eted. Each medal comes with a certificate of still-resounding fragments of “Tik un tā”’s nise seagulls, eagles, storks and pigeons, but tres long. I’ve seen my fair share of virtuosos authenticity, which also states the name of violins. Nothing to attest to the fact that it there are birds unknown to me as well. They who can swallow swords of impressive the artist and the place of minting. Sound had ever been there in the first place. I see don’t let go of him until they’ve set him on length without cutting themselves in the good? I can place your order right now. neither holes drilled by the violent motion of the ground in a spot surrounded by a fence, process, but I’ve never had such skills. What’s your address? It will be mailed to you a screw, nor the original, unfaded colour of as a concert is to be held there. Entry is by It’s time to go somewhere. I take the keys with no need to pay for two weeks, satisfac- the door below the lock. ticket only, but yesterday I saw tickets being and head for the exit. I try locking the door, tion guaranteed. If you’re not satisfied, you The pavement that was laid last year handed out for free, despite the fact that but there’s no keyhole, and there are screws can send it back to the included address, you suddenly seems so smooth that not a single the performers were exceptionally alluring on the key ring instead of keys. One must just have to pay the p&p, – a woman said in stone sticks out – just like on Barona Street. – Massive Attack, Portishead, Air, Mercury have something heavy in one’s pocket, if one a slightly perceptible accent characteristic of You could even skate on it. There’s nothing Rev… Of course, tickets ran out quite fast, as has gotten used to this. The phone rings at Russians, with a celebratory excitement in at all to impede cyclists – look, one is speed- the space in a fenced field remains limited, an opportune moment, adding a harmonica her voice. She’s probably glad I haven’t inter- ing by me now, an acquaintance calls to no matter what magical things might be hap- to the sound of the violins, which my Odiņš rupted yet and keeps telling me that these him, and the cyclist looks back confidently, pening around me. likes so much. At least he would always sing coins are wonderful and not-to-be-missed. despite the fact that there’s a newsstand in I can still hear the violins, but maybe along to the tune, but the little dog isn’t any- - Can you send me a picture of the coin front of him, and it playfully jumps aside, it’s just an auditory hallucination? At any where near to be seen at the moment. over the phone or email? What if I don’t like along with the line of people waiting for the rate, I hear them, therefore they exist. Just - Hello, we’re calling you regarding the it? freshly-printed press, scattering the entire like the notice, “Latvia is the best country Latvian Centenary… - How do I do that? pavement with delightfully colourful packs in the world”, which keeps appearing and

1 Translator’s note: one- and two-lat coins featured salmon and cows respectively. 2 Translator’s note: Slang term for a brawl.

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disappearing and helping the sobbing violins A beggar remains a beggar, but he’s a police- keep time. man driven by a fighter’s instinct – no matter As I’m preparing to cross the street, I what the fight is against. As long as the gen- notice there are potholes in it here and there, erations haven’t changed and all the people and cars are going slow. The beggar sitting on who know the nuts and bolts of this thing the side of the street has spread out a mas- haven’t disappeared, there’s no hope for com- sive blanket in front of him. It’s covered with plete peace. Giddy with happiness, the girl stuff, and he’s asking to be liberated from and I continue walking the street, and we are the donated goods, as they wouldn’t fit in his moved with tears once again, they well up three backpacks when he’d head home – he in our eyes when we hear someone running has a home, of course, with a fridge that’s behind us. Not just someone, but an entire always full and a huge bath to boot. The habit crowd. They’re obviously chasing us, just like of begging is probably hard to break. It’s the those dwarves chased the evil stepmother in same way with writing for some people, even the record I often listened to as a child, the if your rubbish is of no use to anybody and one about the Snow White who didn’t have never leaves the notebook you fill in your free her own school like the other one did. I look time. What is “free time” anyway? This con- behind me and notice people wearing uni- cept has lost its meaning too, as it never runs forms of all sorts – policemen, bus drivers, out. Everyone does what they like – not just and parking lot inspectors. Their faces are from dawn until dusk, but also at night. The all contorted with rage, and I pull the girl only people who have it hard are the police, aside to let them pass. They pass without as no one steals anymore, and other less seri- even glancing at us, but my heart is beating ous offences aren’t dangerous at such slow faster and faster, rushing past the violins and speeds… See, one of the few policemen who the blinking letters. Thump-thump-thump, have yet to be laid off is watching a couple thump-thump-thump, thump-thump-thump!I arguing fervently – maybe there’ll be some- wake to the sound of assertive knocks banging thing to do, a bit of work, but it all comes to on my door. I’m sweaty and alone. The violins naught as they hug and everything remains suddenly go silent, and the notice about the calm. I’m touched, my eyes grow wet with best country in the world is no longer blink- tears, and a smiling girl suddenly hands me ing at the bottom of the screen. “Tik un tā” a tissue, takes me by the hand and off we does start playing, but it’s Platons Buravickis’ go. Where else if not towards happiness? haunting – to put it mildly – version from No – everything can’t be this good. I look the Latvian Centenary song compilation, Our back at the policeman – disillusioned with Songs 2.0. I push the empty bottles aside, find everything, he is clutching his head and prob- my slippers under the bed, put them on and ably thinking of what he’ll tell his family, as go to the door. I hear a voice there behind the he isn’t used to living and earning money in door, and it’s definitely neither Stabulnieks, any way other than preventing trouble. But nor Buravickis, and not even the dream girl I suddenly, there’s no trouble to speak of. He lost only moments ago on waking: wouldn’t start baking bread or fixing houses. - Hello! Open up, please! It’s the police. That would be humiliating. He can’t sit down Witnesses say about half an hour ago a young by the prosperous beggar – who is no longer woman fell out of your seventh story window. begging but hands out what he’s collected to Sadly, she’s dead. We have to ascertain the cir- passersby – either. It would look unseemly. cumstances of the case…

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