Poetry Dances!

The first half of September each year brings a special atmosphere – the scents of autumn, dreaminess, sensuality, romance, and poetry. Every autumn is made special by the Poetry Days tradition, which has been preserved for 59 years. These are celebrations for poetry, poets, and readers.

Everyone interested is invited to enjoy the special autumn atmosphere in the spirit of poetry in Valmiera Municipality! Expect literary exhibitions, events, meetings with poets, workshops, and other activities. Events that will be engaging for both adults and children.

This year, the theme of the Poetry Days is Poetry Dances! Poetry invites! The steps are easy to learn; they are printed. Everyone has their own rhythm – like a voice. September will provide the tempo. With the accompaniment of the era, poetry dances.

In Valmiera

Traditionally, during Poetry Days, students of Valmiera State Gymnasium invite poetry to be seen in places where it usually isn't seen – young people with chalk capture (for a time, until the rain washes it away) chosen lines of poetry on the sidewalk. This time, in various places in Valmiera, we will also be able to hear young people reading poetry. On September 10th from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM in various locations in Valmiera, such as near St. Simon's Church, near the Valmiera castle ruins, on the Dzirnavu pond promenade, at the CSDD, and others, young people will capture chosen lines of poetry on the sidewalk. At the same time, in various places in Valmiera, a new event will take place – "Meeting in Poetry" – where high school students will read chosen lines of poetry. In this way, young people invite everyone to stop and think about the feelings and thoughts evoked by what is read or heard. Meanwhile, on September 12th at Valmiera State Gymnasium, "Creative Games with Words" will take place – at 2:00 PM, young people will create poetry, which they will present to a jury and audience from 3:20 PM.

On September 19th, Valmiera Integrated Library will host the traditional Poetry Day. The program includes:

11:40 AM meeting with poet Inese Zandere in the Children's Services Department. Registration has ended;

5:30 PM an author evening with Agnese Rutkēviča, Tamāra Skrīna, Daina Sirmaja, Inga Ērika Pētersone, Viks, Aivars Ustups, Inese Zandere, and Žebers participating.

On September 28th at 2:00 PM at Valmiera Integrated Library, a meeting with the authors of the book "Poetry Detectives. A Detective Game in Prose and Poetry" Sandra Ratniece, Rolands Buls, Dainis Deigelis, and Elīna Smoļaka.

On October 3rd at 5:30 PM at Valmiera Integrated Library, an event "Surrealism in Estonian Poetry: Guntars Godiņš and Jaan Malin meet on Veidenbaum's birthday".

Until September 28th, Valmiera Integrated Library will host an exhibition "For Poet and Prose Writer Andris Akmentiņš – 55", dedicated to Poetry Days.

In Bērzaine

On September 13th at 6:00 PM at Bērzaine Community House, a Poetry Day event "I Love You. That's All... (J. Peters). To Jānis Peters – 85." The program includes poetry and songs performed by actor Jānis Paukštello. The event is organized by Bērzaine Parish Library.

In Dikļi

On September 28th at 4:00 PM, Dikļi Parish Library and Dikļi Cultural Center invite you to a Poetry Day event with musician, poet Guntars Račs and Edvards Strazdiņš.

In Ēvele

On September 21st at 6:00 PM at Ēvele Community House, Valdis Atāls' author evening. Music, poetry, humor, thoughts, stories... Entry fee 3 EUR.

In Kauguri

On September 12th at 12:45 PM at Kauguri Cultural House, a concert story "Just Forward!" will be heard. Music – Lūcija Sičevska, poetry by Ivo Martinsons. The concert will feature Lūcija's self-composed melodies and songs, while Ivo will recite Pēteris Jurciņš's poems. Listening to Jurciņš's poems, a sense of travel will be evoked. Music and poetry will intertwine into a single story, during which we will see the beauty of Latvia's nature and people.

In Mazsalaca

From September 9th to 14th, the Mazsalaca City Library will host the creation of the "Parade of Poems" exhibition. Everyone is invited to choose a poem, format it on an A3 sheet or other material, and bring it to the Mazsalaca City Library. The formatted poems will receive nominations, and the submitted works will be displayed in the exhibition. For more information, call 27883490.

On September 26th at 4:00 PM at Mazsalaca City Library, a meeting with Mazsalaca native, writer Ieva Andrejauska, author of the books "Letters from the Green Village" and "The Adventures of the Dachshund".

In Mūrmuiža

On September 21st at 2:00 PM at Mūrmuiža "Community House", a literary musical concert "Some Things Never Change" will take place with writer Ilze Aizsila and composer, musician from the Latgalian group "Dabasu Durovys", Arnis Slobožaņins. The event is organized by Kauguri Parish Mūrmuiža Library.

In Naukšēni

On September 16th at 5:30 PM at Naukšēni Parish Library, a musical poetic performance by Cēsis Theater "In This Moment's Café". Due to limited seats, registration is required by calling 26476670.

On September 19th at 11:00 AM at Naukšēni Parish Library, a meeting with writer Luīze Pastore. Limited seats. Registration by calling 28025748.

In Rūjiena

On September 11th at 3:00 PM at Rūjiena City Library, an event for children "Poetry Hour with a Paw". Limited seats, registration is recommended by calling 28362265.

On September 13th at 8:00 PM during Poetry Days, Rūjiena Library invites you to a new event format combining poetry, music, and improvisation theater. The event, in collaboration with Rūjiena Improvisation Theater "Imprūven", will take place at the new cultural venue on Rīgas Street 8, where immediately after the "Rūveniešu Quiz", two currently very topical young Latvian poets – Ligija Purinaša and Andris Alps – will meet on stage. Poetry readings will be complemented by "Imprūven" performances on poetry themes, as well as musical interludes by Anna Paula Gruzdiņa. More information here.

In Sēļi

On September 14th at 1:00 PM at Sēļi Manor Barn, a festival of self-composed music and poetry "Layered Apple Pie of Poetry Days" will take place. For more information, call 20019452 or 27909112. Tickets can be purchased before the event. Ticket price 3 EUR. The event is organized by the Folk Musicians' Association in collaboration with Mazsalaca Cultural Center.

In Trikāta

On October 11th at 6:30 PM at Trikāta Meeting House, we invite you to a Poetry Days event "The Soul Blooms and the Earth Still Turns – Songs, Dances, and HIM" – invited by Vita Upeniece – Melbārde.

In Valmiera Parish

Until September 30th, Valmiera Parish Library hosts a children's literature exhibition "Poem and Teasing Verse".

In Vecate

On September 19th at 3:00 PM at Vecate Parish Library, a Poetry Days meeting "Poetry Dances. Dance Poems". Famous poets meet with famous Vecate residents.