Association for the Advancement of Baltic Studies Annual Report | December 2014

A member of the American Council of Learned Societies

President Mara Lazda Bronx Community College of the City University of New York

President-Elect Giedrius Subačius University of Illinois, Chicago

Vice President for Conferences Jānis Chakars Gwynedd Mercy University

Vice President for Professional Development Ivars Ījabs University of Latvia

Vice President for Publications Daiva Markelis Eastern Illinois University

Secretary Kara Brown University of South Carolina AABS Board members visit the Balzekas Museum exhibit, “No Home to Go to,” an exhibit of the Baltic diaspora leaving Europe, organized with the cooperation of all three communi- Treasurer ties. From left: Giedrius Subačius, Karilė Vaitkutė, Olavi Arens, Janis Chakars, Mara Lazda, Ain Merike Hennemen Haas, Ivars Ijabs, Irena Chambers, Daiva Markelis, Kara D. Brown, Irena Blekys and Rita Janz. Student Representative Mark Moll In This Report Indiana University President’s report: New AABS board meets in Chicago...... 2 Director-At-Large News from the ACLS...... 7 Ain Haas Back to the Ivy League for 2016 AABS conference...... 3 Indiana University-Indianapolis Treasurer’s report on Fiscal Year 2014...... 4 You are here: A personal essay...... 5 Australasian Committee Delaney Skerrett ‘Nation building’ authors honored ...... 9 University of Queensland AABS donors...... 9 Birnitis Fellow: The literacy of popular literature...... 11 Administrative Executive Director Irena Blekys [email protected] AABS congratulates 2013-2014 Award Recipients: Academic Executive Director Olavi Arens Aina Birnītis Dissertation Completion Jānis Grundmanis Postgraduate Fellowship Armstrong Atlantic University Fellowship in the Humanities for Latvia: for Study in the United States: • Gita Siliņa (University of Latvia), "The Literacy of • Iveta Ķesāne (University of Kansas), "Latvian Emigrant Editor, Journal of Baltic Studies Popular Literature of Forming National Identity: Case of Identity & Ideas that Shape the Latvian State." Terry D. Clark Creighton University Vidzeme." Mudīte I. Saltups Post-graduate and • Una Bergmane (Sciences Po, Paris), "French & Post-doctoral fellowship: Webmaster American Reactions toward the Disintegration of the Amanda Swain • Una Bergmane (Sciences Po, Paris), "French & American University of California, Irvine Soviet Union: The Case of the Baltic States 1989-1991" Reactions toward the Disintegration of the Soviet Union: [email protected] (partial award). The Case of the Baltic States 1989-1991." Newsletter Editor AABS Dissertation Grant: Emerging Scholar Research Grant: Indra Ekmanis University of Washington • Lehti Keelman (University of Michigan), “Bachelors • Josep Soler-Carbonell (University of Tartu), "Multilin- [email protected] bridging the Baltic: The Artistic Ambitions of the Tallinn gualism & the Internationalisation of Higher Education Brotherhood of the Blackheads, c.1400-1550.” in the Baltic States. A Linguistic Landscape Approach." Email | Website | Twitter [email protected] • Maarja Merivoo-Parro (Tallinn University), “Exploring • Joseph M. Ellis (Wingate University), "The Choir as Social http://depts.washington.edu/aabs/ Ethnicity: An Oral History of Second Generation Ameri- Capital: A Case Study of the Estonian Laulupidu." @balticstudies can Estonians.”

AABS Newsletter | December 2014 1 President’s report: New AABS board meets in Chicago By Māra Lazda up on our agreement, as well as to brain- cludes several permanent exhibits as well President storm how to foster Lithuanian and Baltic as a children’s museum. Then the exhibit’s Studies at UIC more broadly. McQuillen curator, Irena Chambers, provided a tour On Saturday, November 15, 2014, the and Subačius reported that the Lithuanian of the remarkable exhibit that was realized newly elected board met in Chicago, host- Culture classes were almost always fully through the cooperation of Lithuanian, ed by President-Elect Giedrius Subačius at enrolled, and popular among students Latvian, and Estonian community mem- the University of Illinois at Chicago. The with a range of backgrounds. Lithuanian bers in the Chicago area. Artifacts that warm reception by UIC’s Department of language courses had more difficulty at- DPs ingeniously created and meticulously Slavic and Baltic Languages and Litera- tracting students; however, this challenge saved—including school books from DP tures and thoughtful discussions by board reflects a broader trend across the nation elementary schools and traditional folk members helped offset the windy wintery in declining enrollments in all languages. costumes—were accompanied by record- weather. Several concrete proposals emerged out of ed personal recollections. This visit, while The weekend provided several op- this discussion. The first is to reach out to not an official component of the board portunities to consider Baltic Studies pres- graduate students, in European history in meeting, was an appropriate beginning ent, past, and future. On Friday, Subačius particular, who might be interesed in us- to the weekend, as it emphasized both the (Endowed Chair in Lithuanian Studies at ing Lithuanian in their work. The second significance of cooperation among Lithu- UIC), Olavi Arens (Academic Executive idea is to create internships with area busi- anians, Estonians, and Latvians, as well as Director), Irena Blekys (Administrative nesses or or government institutions that the foundation of AABS by scholars with Executive Director), Ain Haas (Director-at- may use Lithunian language in their work. roots in the Baltic exile community. We are Large), and I met with Prof. Colleen Mc- The third proposal concerns community grateful to Balzekas, Chambers, the mu- Quillen, Associate Director of the School of outreach and increasing the visibility of seum staff, and Dace Ķezbers for making Literatures, Cultural Studies, and Linguis- Lithuanian and Baltic Studies through this visit possible. tics to discuss the Lithuanian language cultural events such as Baltic music and Back on the UIC campus Saturday, program. UIC has a long history of offer- film series, perhaps together with scholars board members reviewed the work of ing courses in Lithuanian language and of Polish and Russian at UIC. Such efforts AABS during the past year. Detailed in- culture; however, in 2007 this program would also underscore the integral and formation may be found in the individual was cut by the university. Thanks to the vibrant contribution of Lithuanian to the reports in these pages. Some highlights efforts of Subačius, the program was re- UIC campus. to mention briefly here include the dis- stored by a partnership between Vilnius Friday evening, AABS board members cussions concerning the Journal of Baltic University, AABS, and UIC in 2012. Vilni- were invited to view the exhibit “No Home Studies contract with Routledge. Thanks us University agreed to fund the first two to Go To: The Story of Baltic Displaced Per- to negotiations led by then-president Ain years of Lithuanian language study, then sons, 1944-1952,” located at the impressive Haas, the journal’s contract was renewed extended the support for one additional Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture. for a five-year term. We were also happy year, and AABS agreed to fund the teach- The founder of the museum Stanley Balze- to learn that the Journal of Baltic Studies will ing of one more year. kas, Jr. first provided a fascinating insight soon be included in the online academic The aim of our meeting was to follow into the history of the museum, which in- journal database JStor, possibly in summer 2015, which will considerably increase ac- cess to the journal. As you may read in the treasurer’s report by Merike Henneman, the financial situation of AABS is stable. At the end of this year, AABS received a gift from the estate of Dr. Aina Galējs, which will be invested to support future Baltic Programs. As its founding mission, AABS seeks to support Baltic scholarship. The Yale Conference on Baltic and Scandinavian Studies in March 2014 brought together more than 450 participants from North America, the Baltic States, Germany, Swe- den, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Turkey, Israel, Japan, and Australia, to name a few. It was particularly exciting to see the grow- ing group of graduate students in Baltic Board members meet with Associate Director of the School of Literatures, Cultural Studies & Linguistics at UIC. Studies; their networking luncheon was From the right: Giedrus Subačius, Mara Lazda, Colleen McQuillen, Ain Haas, Irena Blekys, Olavi Arens. Continued on pg. 3 2 AABS Newsletter | December 2014 News from American Council of Learned Societies By Olavi Arens Academic Executive Director The ACLS held its annual fall meet- ing of member societies’ administrative officers Oct. 30-Nov. 2, 2014 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Olavi Arens, the Academic Ex- ecutive Director attended. The major theme of the meeting was “How Can Learned Societies Impact the Landscape in which their Members Work?” Specific sessions were conducted to discuss different aspects of the general theme. The first involved a discussion of The ACLS held its annual meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii. | Wikipedia Commons definitions of scholarship. It was recog- nized that definitions needed to evolve be- and the assessment methods that are car- included the on-going topic of census yond the publication of traditional scholar- ried out at universities. data collected in 2013. An analysis of the ly articles and books to include activity in The third topic of discussion under the data by an outside consultant has been the realm of public history like: public ad- general theme centered on learned societ- completed but has not yet been circulated vocacy, documentaries, digital mapping, ies and public controversies. A number of among members. The collection of census etc. Learned societies, after all, legitimize larger societies are currently involved in data from member societies will appar- the definition and assessment of scholar- debates on resolutions that some mem- ently become an annual activity. ship. They need to participate in the on- bers wish the association should adopt on Finally, a discussion was conducted going debate on the issue taking place at current international or domestic political on employment prospects. It was recog- colleges and universities. issues. The AABS was founded as a schol- nized that no longer will receipt of a Ph.D. A second topic discussed was the role arly organization and, from the beginning, necessarily lead to an academic career of of societies in assessing teaching and learn- has avoided the introduction of political university teaching. Graduate students in ing. Societies need to be involved with issues at its membership meetings. Rep- the future need to be mentored to consider universities in helping define assessment resentatives of a number of other small non-academic jobs as well as academic tools to measure the effectiveness of teach- societies indicated to me that they too had ones. As this is happening, societies need ing and learning and how this assessment similar policies and understandings in to welcome into membership persons relates to questions of tenure. Societies also place and avoided political issues at mem- in non-academic employment as well as need to help prepare future faculty to cur- bership meetings. those in academic positions. rent expectations in the field of teaching Other issues covered at the meeting [email protected]

President’s report continued bers, who are diverse in location, interest to establish a grant that would support attended by more than 40 students. The and background? Some of our most dedi- scholars, artists, and community mem- AABS featured speaker was Prof. Morde- cated members are not affiliated with an bers at all levels of their careers. Further, chai Zalkin (Ben-Gurion University of the academic institution, but come from the this grant would recognize that contribu- Negev), who enriched the conference with Baltic communities and remain important tions to Baltic Studies may come in many his presentation, “Jews in Interwar Lithu- supporters of Baltic Studies. How do we forms—books, articles, performances, or anian Society: Between Identity, Culture, respond to cuts in funding for research in film to name a few. Third, to continue to and Image.” AABS also awarded several the Baltic Studies? strengthen our ties to Baltic communities, grants to support the work of graduate Three resolutions emerged out of this we hope to increase our communication students and junior scholars. discussion. First, to help build the visibility about recent developments in the organi- Achievements like these—the coop- of Baltic scholarship, AABS will co-spon- zation through traditional printed means eration with UIC, the partnership with sor panels at conferences of similar region- such as the newsletter and the Journal, as an international press, the growth and al organizations such as the German Stud- well as the expanding website found at globalization of AABS membership—ne- ies Association, Association for Jewish www.aabs-balticstudies.org/. cessitated a discussion about the future Studies, Society for the Advancement of This conversation is an ongoing one, of our organization. In the afternoon, the Scandinavian Study, and the Association and we welcome suggestions from mem- board turned its attention to considering for Slavic, East European and Eurasian bers on these and other topics concerning the mission of AABS in the shifting geopo- Studies. Second, to recognize both funding the future of Baltic Studies. Please send litical and academic environments. What shortages as well as the variety of forms that your suggestions to Mara Lazda Mara. does it mean to advance Baltic Studies? contributions to the advancement of Baltic [email protected]; or the Executive Of- How do we meet the needs of all mem- Studies may take, the current board hopes fice [email protected].

AABS Newsletter | December 2014 3 Back to the Ivy League for 2016 AABS Conference By Jānis Chakars not be gained by other means. This, of available for those who wish more con- Vice President for Conferences course, includes exchange of the freshest ventional comforts. We are also grateful ideas and information through papers for the assistance and cooperation of the Following a successful joint confer- presented, but it must include more. University’s Slavics Department and in ence with the Society for the Advance- A key benefit of any scholarly meeting particular, Professor Kevin Platt. ment of Scandinavian Studies at Yale comes from the networking and relation- In order to stage the best possible University in 2014, AABS will be going ships that are formed on site. To promote conferences, AABS provides more in Ivy again at the University of Pennsylva- the development of a community of Bal- programing and organization than it nia in Philadelphia from May 26-28, 2016. tic scholars, we hope to boost the intensity can cover by registration fees alone. This The brainchild of Benjamin Frank- and value of these connections by orga- conference will be no different. There- lin, UPenn claims status as the oldest nizing forums that stimulate research col- fore, we urge not only your participa- university in the United States, but its laboration, new publications, and schol- tion, but welcome your ideas as well as pedigree includes Baltic studies as well. ar-to-scholar learning. your donations. Philadelphia is a fasci- Among its many accomplished faculty While we are still in the early stages nating, attractive, and historic city. It is was Alfred Senn, who served as chair of of planning events that are both edify- a convenient travel destination. We will the Department of Balto-Slavic Studies ing and fun, we can already report some be at one of America’s most prestigious from 1947-1965 and is renowned for his exciting plans that are emerging for the universities. We promise an exciting pro- work on Lithuania. The UPenn library conference. We are planning to assemble gram for the Memorial Day weekend contains a strong Baltic collection, espe- a rich cultural program of music, poetry, conference, but we will need your help. cially regarding Lithuania and including and the arts. We hope to bring a museum Please consider lending your assistance items belonging to one of the country’s exhibit or two as well. All ideas are still upon receiving this year’s Christmas ap- founding fathers, Jurgis Šaulys. Notable on the table and the conference chair wel- peal letter from the AABS executive of- alumni include recent AABS president comes the suggestions of members. fice or making a donation at any time to Vejas Liulevicius, European MP from Lastly, a conference should also be af- AABS’s operating expenses marked for Latvia Krišjānis Kariņš, and the current fordable. Our attendees travel great dis- the 2016 conference. president of Estonia, Toomas Hendrik tances and we know that AABS is not the Questions about the conference can Ilves. Indeed, following our invitation, only conference in which they may wish be directed to Janis Chakars at aabs2016@ President Ilves has expressed strong in- to participate. We are happy that those gmail.com. You can also follow us on terest in serving as the keynote speaker registering for the AABS 2016 conference Twitter (@balticstudies) and on Facebook of the conference and we look forward to will have the option of staying in com- for updates about the conference, along his participation with great enthusiasm, fortable dormitories (private bedroom, with other information about Baltic stud- should his schedule permit it. bathroom shared in a small suite) for a ies. We look forward to seeing you in the Conferences are important to mem- fraction of typical conference accommo- City of Brotherly Love. bers for providing experiences that can- dation costs. Hotel rooms will be also [email protected]

The 2016 AABS Conference will be held at University of Pennsylvania May 26-28. | Wikipedia Commons 4 AABS Newsletter | December 2014 Treasurer’s report on Fiscal Year 2014 By Merike Henneman were all lower than forecasted. Man- investment allocation mix of 50 per- MBA, CPA agement expense reduction was re- cent bonds and 50 percent stocks. As lated primarily to the lower cost of ex- of June 30, 2014, 48.49 percent of our Review of 2014 ecutive office administration. Savings portfolio was invested in bonds, and The Association’s financial posi- in program allocations came about 51.51 percent was invested in stocks. tion improved significantly in the because certain grants and donations Total expenses and allocations are fiscal year ending June 30, 2014. Our budgeted for the 2014 fiscal year will budgeted at $158,920, representing invested assets produced a net re- be made in 2015 fiscal year. an increase of 45.7 percent compared turn (income and capital gains) of to last year’s actual expenses and al- $272,489.67, almost tripling our bud- 2015 budget locations of $109,070. The increase is geted investment return of $94,451 Total non-investment revenue attributable primarily to budgeted and enabling us to fund our program and support for the fiscal year end- grants, prizes, and donations, which initiatives, as well as grow our net as- ing 30 June 2015 is budgeted to total increased to $78,000 in fiscal 2015 sets by $288,702, from $2,367,673 to $53,900. The slight increase relative to from $32,775 in fiscal 2014. $2,656,375. last year’s actual total non-investment Fiscal year 2015 is expected to be a Other sources of revenue were revenue and support of $52,197 is at- breakeven year, with a marginal bud- membership dues, donations, and the tributable to increased donations and geted net increase in assets of $331. Journal of Baltic Studies (JBS). Total membership dues. membership dues and donations of Investment returns (dividends Other matters $18,045 fell short of budget target of and capital gains) are budgeted to be An independent auditor conduct- $37,000 by $18,955, or 51 percent. JBS $105,351. This figure represents an ed a full audit of the association’s fi- revenue of $22,200 exceeded budget assumed 4 percent annual return on nancial statements for the 2014 fiscal by $1,700, or 8.3 percent. our beginning-of-year investment as- year, and the result was favorable. Total expenses and allocations of sets, below actual investment returns The auditor’s opinion was unquali- $109,070 were considerably below the of 11.5 percent last year and 6.1 per- fied; our financial statements “pres- budgeted total of $158,257. The asso- cent in the prior year, but consistent ent fairly, in all material respects, the ciation’s program, management, and with current market expectations. financial position of the Association.” fundraising expenses and allocations The association has adopted a target [email protected]

AABS Newsletter | December 2014 5 You Are Here: A personal essay By Daiva Markelis Vice President for Publications

I love being on the AABS board as vice- president of publications. I get to read a lot of interesting books on Baltic history, politics, and culture for the biennial award. Along with other board members, I help plan the confer- ences. I read the following piece for the literature evening at Yale last March. It’s a personal es- say written in the weirdly intimate, yet some- what distancing, second person, and deals with my first trip to Estonia for the 2013 Baltic Studies in Europe Conference.

You Are Here You’ve always loved travelling solo, reveling in the possibility of discovering what can’t be discerned in the company of a good friend, a lover, a husband. Alone, you stop to look at the façade of a build- ing that reveals nothing much at first, then see how its wrought iron balcony morphs into a series of musical symbols—graceful treble clefs, bold and manly double bar- lines. You glimpse a heavy wooden door with artful graffiti and a line from your favorite Rilke poem: Du bist nicht näher an Gott als wir; wir sind ihm alle weit. Because you’ve carried this image of yourself as the brave and solitary traveler, you’re surprised to find yourself anxious and, worse, conspicuous, maneuvering the winding cobble-stoned streets of this ‘Medieval McDonalds’ in Tallinn. Steve Jurvetson | Flikr medieval city as gracelessly as a drunk. viewing would contaminate your appre- “We do have Sprite,” he says. The moose dumplings you had for din- ciation of the authentic. You followed the You feel tempted to ask why he’s ner last night were a mistake. And you’re signs to Raekoja Plats, admired the Town speaking in perfect English and not medi- wearing the wrong shoes. Black patent Hall with its famous spire, destroyed eval Low German but that would be rude, leather sandals. Finnish Comfort, made in a Soviet air raid in the 1940s and later so you sip your tepid beverage and re- in Germany. Worst of all, you’re the only rebuilt to its Renaissance splendor. You trieve the crumpled map you kept hidden person sans companion in this crowded stubbed your toe. When you tried to re- at the bottom of your over-sized purse. Old Town platz of middle-aged couples, trace your steps back to the hotel for your You were never the kind of woman roving clean-cut teenagers, and orderly ugly but comfortable Birkenstock clogs, who carried a map. Japanese tourists. You detect pity in the the tributary street leading into Viru had eyes of the young men in medieval-style disappeared. As you heave your tired body from the outfits and comely women dressed as And now you are here—again—by bench and wend your way to St. Nicholas milkmaids handing out flyers for authen- the faded white umbrella advertising Church, you remind yourself you travel tic Estonian restaurants. Saku beer. You sit down at an empty pic- solo all the time: to visit friends, to present Worst of all is the fact that you’re lost. nic table. You would like a beer but don’t papers at academic conferences. You’re You entered the Old Town on Viru Street. drink anymore. Coffee will irritate your fond of conferences. You like how time You remember the toothless woman who sensitive stomach. You ask a waiter who’s is neatly parceled out: panel on collective tried to sell you mittens. You remember the dressed as the town crier for a ginger ale identity, panel on Baltic representations, pink and white McDonalds. You avoided but there is no ginger ale. You ask for a panel on history and memory, short break the golden arches, fearing that prolonged 7-Up, but there is no 7-Up. Continued on pg. 7

6 AABS Newsletter | December 2014 for lunch, panel on deportation narratives, tops, or maybe even to Kiek in de Kok, the less than total darkness. Sometimes you panel on trauma and displacement, panel old artillery tower with its series of linked can’t sleep at all. on Baltic exile, dinner with colleagues. underground tunnels. As you tramp towards St. Mary’s, a The next day, more history, more mem- young woman in tight jeans and low- ory, more displacement, more deporta- You have to see the Nevsky. Every cut blouse appears like a vision at your tions, more exile, more trauma. guidebook tells you this. side, then slowly passes you up. Her You enter St. Nicholas, a Gothic beauty You are prepared to dislike this os- long blonde hair drapes her pale white partially destroyed by the Soviets during tentatious house of God, built in 1900 to shoulders like a ragged silk veil. But the the Second World War. It’s now an art remind the unruly Estonian Lutherans of blouse—the blouse is too much. museum specializing in religious works their Russian Orthodox rulers, but the old You were fifteen when your mother of art: splendid altarpieces, medieval buri- woman wearing a babushka asking for warned you about the dangers of décol- al slabs, silver chalices. The museum’s money reminds you of the old women at letage. You questioned her taste in clothes, most famous work is a large fragment of the Gates of Dawn in Vilnius climbing the movies, boyfriends, cars. the 15th century painting Danse Macabre. stairs on their knees to touch the miracu- “You think I was never young,” she The dancing skeletons do not put a damp- lous golden Madonna. Vilnius—a city said in English. “You think I’m over the er on your day; they look more sprightly close to your heart, different from Tallinn, top.” than the stiff, well-fed kings and cardinals greener, with its beckoning courtyards “You don’t even know the idiom,” you they’re leading to the grave. You are par- filled with potted plants. Sadder, too, with answered. “It’s over the hill.” tial to the skeleton on the right, the one its lone remaining synagogue, its dilapi- wearing a turban and clutching an oboe. dated buildings, its shady bars. You take a deep breath. You’ve reached As a young woman, you felt self- con- You drop the equivalent of a dollar into the top of the hill. St. Mary’s cathedral scious in museums. Because you feared the woman’s sad little bowl. Her look of stands small and plain and unobtrusive. being bourgeois, you dismissed entire pe- awe suggests you are Jesus himself, com- Originally Roman Catholic, it’s now the riods and schools of art. The Renaissance ing to inspect the rental properties. seat of local Lutheran power. You want was boring; rococo, frivolous. Your great- Inside, cedar and frankincense perme- to go inside, but the door is locked. Three est scorn was reserved for the Realists, so ate the air, rising to the ceiling. A melody teenaged boys drinking from a bottle of fake in their futile attempts at the accurate. unmoored from the tyranny of instru- Koch Vol Vodka sit on the edge of the You loved the prehistoric. You loved Afri- ments lures you to its source at the eastern crumbling stone wall. You want to tell can carvings. You loved Picasso and Jack- end of the church—an unseen stereo. them to be careful, the fall is rocky and son Pollock and even Ivan Albright: That A bearded priest in a long black robe steep, though you’re far from the ledge Which I Should Have Done I Did Not Do. faces the altar. Behind him, several rows and can’t see below. You were an exhibit yourself back then of women wearing headscarves make A middle-aged woman in sneakers with your bright pink peasant blouse and the sign of the cross and bow towards the and sundress snaps photos of the city’s too tight jeans and silver high-heeled san- sanctuary. The younger women touch the red rooftops with her expensive camera. dals. ground with their fingers. Up and down, But the girl—the girl has disappeared. up and down, like participants in a partic- You wonder whether you’re halluci- There are fewer pages, town criers, ularly uncoordinated aerobics class. You nating. Somewhere, perhaps in your head, and milkmaids the further you get from stare at the sea of cheap polyester skirts. the fourth movement of Sibelius’ Second the center of town, fewer signs for genuine You feel superior in your linen Eileen Symphony is playing, the wild finale, the Baltic amber, fewer stores selling Viking Fischer dress, your leather Coach hobo culmination of all that fragmentary ten- dolls and Tallinn refrigerator magnets and bag. sion in one heroic climax. You gaze out the fluffy white and black sheep figurines You wish you had that kind of faith. onto the city below you, the remnants of made of wood and wool that have inex- You mutter a brief prayer for your thick medieval gates, the hint of grey blue plicably become a symbol of the city. small unruly soul and head for the gift harbor, Finland on the other side. Stars ap- You toddle uphill towards Toompea, shop. You walk up to the babushkaed pear in the sky, forming a map of places the limestone hill that houses parliament cashier to plunk down your shiny euros you want to visit. and a couple of famous churches. A blis- for the Byzantine CD, but she ignores The boys leave. ter’s forming on the side of your foot. You you. She is facing the direction of the altar, The woman leaves. wonder how you’ll continue when you bowing. Up and down. Up and down. But you—you’re still here. notice for the first time the slightly older You stand alone in the darkness, then versions of yourself marching, albeit slow- It’s still light outside; nine o’clock ac- slowly make your way down, retracing ly, to their own middle-aged rhythms, to cording to your watch. You’re near the your steps—church, church, winding al- the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, or may- Land of the Midnight Sun. You wonder ley, Raekoja Platz, Viru, nameless street, be to the church of St. Mary the Virgin, about the prevalence of hypomania in the hotel—trying not to stub your toe in the whose bell tower provides a panoramic Baltics, whether it’s part of your genetic transfigured night. inheritance. You can’t sleep in anything view of the city and its red medieval roof- [email protected] AABS Newsletter | December 2014 7 8 AABS Newsletter | December 2014 ‘Nation building’ authors honored Donors July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014 $500 Olavi Arens, James Kraskouskas $200 to $300 Mari Arulaid, Edward Clark, Jonas Dovydenas, Ain Haas, Kristaps J. Keggi, Sandra I. Kronitis- Sipols, Latvian Relief Fund of America, Sigrid Maldonado, Toivo Raun, Tuuli-Ann Ristkok $100 to 199 Rima Aukstikalnis-Cibas, Andrejs & Dzintra Baidins, Mai-Liis Bartling, Marite M. Butners, Kornelijs Dale, Vytautas Dudenas, Atis Freimanis, Tiit Heinsoo, Maksiminas Karaska, Janis Lazda, Paulis Lazda, Tiiu Leetmaa, Laura Losciale, Bernard Maegi, Albinas Markevicius, Andrejs Olte, Juris Orle, Zaiga Phillips, Sylvia Prokopovich, Andris Ramans, Maruta L.Ray, Authors David E. McNabb and Gundars Ķeniņš-King celebrate their newest work. | Guntis Šmidchens Sigrida A. Renigers, William Schmalstieg, Ilze K. Schwartz, Ints Silins, Viktoria Skrupskelis, By Indra Ekmanis Baltic economic and political transi- John F. Sutton In memory of Ulo L. Sinberg, Newsletter Editor tion as a result of his close collabora- Juri Tint, Herbert Valdsaar, Diana Vidutis tion with Ķeniņš-King. While working $50 to $99 Professors emertius Gundars elsewhere in Europe, McNabb accept- Boris Auksmann, Gunnar & Silvija Birkerts, Ķeniņš-King and David E. McNabb ed an invitation from Ķeniņš-King to Vita Bite, Astrida R. Blukis Onat, Dean Bowles, celebrated their recently published visit Riga, Latvia. McNabb says he fell Inta Carpenter, Rita Drone, Karen E. Greever, book, Nation-building in the Baltic in love with the Baltic States, and con- Ieva Hartman, Ivars Jozus, Bertrams V. Keire, Erik Kissa, Ramunas Kondratas, Janis Kukainis, States: Transforming Governance, Social sequently became a visiting professor Andris Lacis, Guna S. Mundheim, Arturs R. Welfare, and Security in Northern Europe at the Stockholm School of Econom- Neparts, Egils J. Otlans, Thomas Palm, David from CRC Press of Taylor & Francis, in ics-Riga. Porter, Richard E. Quandt, Marju Rink-Abel, Seattle September 2014. McNabb has also filled a similar Uldis Roze, Austars R. Schnore, Armand Staprans, Hans Tees, Edvin O. Tums, Aldona The book maps out the transition role at the American University in Bul- Venk-Venckunas from Soviet vassals to modern Europe- garia, University of Maryland Univer- an states for Estonia, Latvia, and Lithu- sity College-Europe, and the Univer- $30 to $49 ania. It capitalizes on the expertise of sity of Washington-Tacoma. A current Andrejs Andersons, Vytautas Anonis, Misha its authors, both of whom have spent adjunct professor at Olympic College, V. Belkindas, Irena Blekys, Andrejs Bross, Ilvi Cannon, Janis Chakars, Daina S. Eglitis, John E. considerable time in the Baltic region. McNabb has published eight books Galejs, Janis Gramatins, Gunta Harvey, Bjorn Ķeniņš-King was the founding and nearly 100 articles and papers. Ingvoldstad, Andrejs Kisis, Lembit Lilleleht, president of AABS, and was also in- Ķeniņš-King and McNabb’s collab- Manfreds Munters, Barry L. Nobel, Yves strumental in bringing educational oration in Nation-building in the Baltic Partschefeld, Elmars A. Prieditis, Janis M. Riek- stins, Vaino J. Riismandel, Thomas Salumets, opportunities and business acumen to States spans a 20-year research period. Valfrids Spuntelis, Dzintris Vallis, Vytenis M. the newly independent Latvian state in It is a forthright and critical analysis of Vasyliunas, Horace R. Zibas, the 1990s. Ķeniņš-King developed Lat- both the successes and failures of the $29 and under via’s first MBA program, working with post-Soviet transition in the region. Manuel Aven, Voldemars Avens, Nicholas W. Riga Technical University and Univer- The authors home in on econom- Balabkins, David Beecher, Nicholas E. Berk- sity of New York at Buffalo to found ic, social and political indicators of holtz, Dzintra S. Bond, Margrieta Buss, Biruta Riga Business School. In 2006, he was change, unapologetic in their assess- Cap, Arunas Draugelis, Vilius Rudra Dundzila, awarded the Latvian Three Star Or- ments, particularly in regard to policy Inese Erdmanis, Urve Audrey Gentzke, Janis V. Giga, Liga Gonzalez, Maija Hinkle, Thea der by President Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga. errors and lingering challenges. Im- Kendrick, Grazina Kenter, Tiiu Kera, Arnolds According to the President’s press portantly, the work does not assess Klotins, Ojars Kratins, Ligita Krumkalns, release, “Gundars Ķeniņš-King has the distinct countries as a single unit, Ramune K. Kubilius, Gita O. Kupcinskas, Vilis played an invaluable role in explaining nor do they equate failings in a single Kurmis, Albinas Lukosevicius, Marta MacK- enzie, Harvey Mayer, Valdis Mikelsons, Viktor the key principles of free market and area with the failing of the state. In- Minneste, Richard C.M. Mole, Algis Norvilas, capitalism and the related ethical con- stead, they present a nuanced analysis Regina Padleckas, Beatrice Rasum, Linas A. siderations behind them to students, that sets a baseline, but leaves room Sidrys, Peteris Skulte, Richards Spuris, Saulius teaching staff and society.” for further study of the issues and the A. Suziedelis, John A. Svera, Mara Ubans, Rimantas L. Vaitkus, Rolf R.W. Winkelmann, Ķeniņš-King co-author, David state of Baltic development. Andrejs Zamelis, Betty Zeps McNabb, became interested in the [email protected]

AABS Newsletter | December 2014 9 Anna Birnitis Fellow: The literacy of popular literature By Gita Siliņa David Morley stresses that the sto- PhD Candidate | University of Latvia ries created in the present about the past is one of the sources for the cre- This thesis aims to examine the in- ation of identity. This idea of media teraction between popular literature as important creators of identity and and the Latvian national identity. This memory corresponds to the explana- will be done by identifying the most tion Benedict Anderson, a theoreti- important nodes and the possible ex- cian of nationalism, gives for the con- planations of the influence regarding cept of imagined community, where the interaction process between the he stresses three interdependent formation of a Latvian national iden- concepts: published language, com- tity and popular literature, which has mon conscience of nation, and the been one of the most popular genres nation-state. Thus the media can be among readers over the last decades, seen to possess the role of creating or as well as an obvious phenomenon “imagining” a common conscience of of the readers set out by consumers a particular group. and the media market that was estab- Culture, history, and media re- lished in Latvia after independence searcher Vita Zelče points out that Anna Birnitis fellow Gita Siliņa (1991). Today, expressions of popular the reading of fiction as a leisure culture and its meanings are becom- activity in Latvia was started a long the role of public and personal librar- ing increasingly more topical among time ago. In the 19th century “in the ies in everyday life and life stories of Latvian researchers of communica- countryside, there was a deep-rooted the people in Vidzeme? tion, culture, and literature. Never- tradition to read books together while In my research I focus on reading- theless, the role of this field within doing handicraft or other evening time when popular literature meets the processes of society functioning crafts. That is, one was reading loudly everyday life. To better understand is still an issue that is barely touched for others and the others were listen- this opinions, we need to understand upon. Only some research has viewed ing and experiencing the lives of char- readers. Literature and culture re- it in a broader theoretical and empiri- acters.” searcher Scott McCracken addresses cal context. The role of popular litera- The novels that respondents ad- issues of popular literature and ques- ture in the broader field of Latvian mitted to be their favorite have com- tions the status of public and personal literature is a marginal topic, accord- mon features; they are the closest, the everyday situations and how popular ing to scholar of Latvian literature best understandable – they have been texts are disseminated. A variety of Raimonds Briedis. At the same time, accepted as their “own”, and, crucial- media is involved in this process, in- popular literature is a significant part ly they “travel” from one generation cluding theater, television, film, and of everyday life for readers. to the next. They have taken a stable digital forms. What is really going on The conceptual framework of this place in the opinions and experience at the time of reading a popular novel study is derived from the approach of these people. – how is the reader's personal experi- that examines the influence of mass In the present case, popular litera- ences related to this process and how media and attempts to understand ture has been analysed as the carrier do they link to forms of everyday life the changes in culture in Britain. This of meaning. In the process of form- experiences? approach was founded in the 1950s ing community members’ individual Literature and communication re- and 1960s by Richard Hoggart, E.P. attitudes towards themselves and searcher Andrew Piper shows that Thompson, and Raymond Williams. other members of the community, the we have no idea what happens when The theoretical ground of the research concepts, myths, meanings, attitudes, people are reading books, but it is ex- is based on the concepts of popular opinions drawn in the literature – the tremely important to have a reflective literature, literacy, national identity product of popular culture – could process. People read out loud, quiet, and social memory. It is an interdisci- be thought of as “glue” or, alterna- linear, careless, careful, distracted, fo- plinary work. tively, “disconnecting material,” thus cused, alone, and with someone, with James Potter stresses, “media lit- reviewing the interaction of national or without a pencil, sitting, standing, eracy is a perspective from which we identity to the meanings obtained walking, reclining, lying down, in expose ourselves to the media and in- from the popular literature. What pro- candle light, sunlight or even moon- terpret the meaning of the messages motes the endurance of the popularity light. The researcher believes that we encounter. We build our perspec- of certain novels in the readers’ com- reading books is the mental discipline tive from knowledge structures.” munity of Latvia? What is the social and one of the more effective forms Mass media, including books, create importance of these novels and what of mental escape. Piper argues that social memory and national identity. is their role in social memory? What is Continued on pg.11

10 AABS Newsletter | December 2014 Anna Birnitis Fellow continued reading is social process. reading habits of popular novels and Member News The internet has already had a ma- literacy of literature, I carried out a sur- jor impact on how people find and vey of readers by distributing question- Amanda Swain is now Associate Director of the Humanities Com- access information, and now the ris- naires in several libraries of the Vid- mons at the University of California ing popularity of e-books is helping zeme region – Madonas district, Cēsis Irvine, where she manages research transform peoples reading habits. In district, and Valmieras district. communities, collaborative projects this changing landscape, many people There is a need to work with very and public engagement. She re- (who read books) are trying to adjust subtle data that requires a lot of care- ceived her PhD in History from the their resources to these new realities. ful research and immersion. With the University of Washington in 2013. Many institutions are eager to expand help of Aina Birnitis fellowship, I will Her most recent publication is “From personal and public libraries digital re- be able to finish the thesis. I have di- the Big Screen to the Streets of sources, but at the same time to keep vided my plan into some basic tasks: Kaunas: Youth Cultural Practices and print books as important resources. summarize the analyses of the experts` Communist Party Discourse in So- Within my research, I combine vari- interviews; summarize the statistical viet Lithuania” in Cahiers du Monde ous methods, including surveys, ethno- data from the libraries; analyze the Russe. graphic research, in-depth interviews data from the survey; realize the final with experts in literature, mass media, version of the last section of contextual Erick Reis Godliauskas Zen recently socioantropology and culture fields in background; and offer the result, con- published a book based on his PhD Latvia.In order to obtain data about the clusion and novelty. research in which he investigates the forms of organization and the rela- tion among the Lithuanian commu- nities rooted in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. Title: Identidade em Conflito. A imigração lituana na Argentina, no Brasil e no Uruguai 1920 - 1950. [Identi- ty in Conflict. The Lithuanian immigra- tion in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay 1920 – 1955)]. EdUFSCar Press. 2014. http://www.editora.ufscar.br/

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