Latvian Writer During Totalitarianism

On November 27 at 6:00 PM, a discussion from the series “Latvian and His Choices in the 20th Century” will take place at the Andrejs Upītis Museum in Riga, Brīvības Street 38-4, focusing on Latvian writers during totalitarianism. Participants in the discussion will include Dr. hist. Daina Bleiere, Dr. philol. Ieva Kalniņa, Dr. philol. Anita Rožkalne, and Dr. hist. Mārtiņš Mintaurs. The event will be moderated by Mg. philol. Arnis Koroševskis.

For the sixth time, a discussion on the political choices of Latvians in the twentieth century, which largely shape our present-day life, will be held at the Andrejs Upītis Memorial Museum. Continuing to explore the ambiguously interpreted pages of Latvian history, the focus now turns to creative personalities—Latvian writers and literary figures during and after World War II. The discussion participants will attempt to examine the living and working conditions of creative personalities under various occupying powers and during the era of totalitarianism. In recent years, the activities of many cultural figures during the Soviet occupation, collaboration, and conformity, and the reevaluation of these personalities have become particularly topical, creating an acute need for academic and constructive discussions.

The conversation will bring together experienced historians and literary scholars, aiming to provide a contextually broad perspective on these issues. Attendees of the discussion will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn the researchers' opinions, thereby deepening their knowledge, reducing prejudices, and possibly arriving at new insights.

The discussion series “Latvian and His Choices in the 20th Century” began at the museum in 2019 and has since gathered historians, philosophers, and political scientists to discuss the ambiguously interpreted turning points in Latvia's 20th-century history.

The event is supported by the State Culture Capital Foundation.