Celebrating Smiltene’s Centenary: Unique Photobook “100 Strong Stories” Published
The idea for “100 Strong Stories” first arose with Kārlis Anitens, director of the “Smiltene 100” celebrations. It was planned as a photo exhibition in the city centre and was to serve as a countdown clock to the 100-day celebrations, beneath which one story about a strong person from Smiltene would be displayed each day. However, 2020 did not allow us to implement the original concept for the celebrations; at the same time, it prompted us not to abandon the idea of strong stories, but to seek other ways of bringing it to life, as the motto of Smiltene’s centenary celebrations was about the strong people of Smiltene and the municipality.
Kārlis Anitens: “A city is made strong by its people. Everyone matters—that is my conviction. At the same time, the diversity of its people gives a city colour, character and dynamism. I very much wanted future generations of Smiltene residents to have a documented and emotional testament to how diverse, beautiful, strong, clever and wise the people of Smiltene were as the city entered its second century. I hope that, by reading these hundred stories, each of us will feel the city’s shared atmosphere and see ourselves in this story of strong people.”
Edgars Avotiņš, Chair of the Smiltene Municipality Council: “A city, a municipality and Latvia are what we make them. In these 100 stories, we will be able to see some of the people who have shaped our city. They observe how it has changed and, through their stories, inspire future work and challenges.”
To bring the project to life as a unique work of art, the Smiltene Municipality Cultural, Sports and Lifelong Learning Administration engaged Smiltene resident Lelde Adele Cīrule, who, together with her colleague, photographer Mārtiņš Goldbergs, has worked on various audiovisual projects. Having selected the 100 strong stories and met with people over several months for interviews and photo sessions, Lelde is pleased with the unique experience and the photographic stories created: “This is a story about people. About what is most important to each of us. About values that do not grow old and love that inspires. Each of us is unique in our essence, yet at the same time we are all so alike when we speak about what matters.” Photographer Mārtiņš Goldbergs: “Someone told me that an outsider can never become a person from Smiltene—you have to be born one. Yet a person from Smiltene will charm you with their hospitality, warmth and friendship. If your paths have crossed, know that a small part of a Smiltene resident also lives within you. Thank you for showing me what it means to be from Smiltene; thank you for accepting me; thank you for entrusting me with your story.”
The photobook “100 Strong Stories” is a deeply personal and highly genuine account. The stories convey emotions and speak about things that are important to each of us. Every one of us is indispensable, and everyone contributes to the historical and new development of Smiltene and the municipality.
The 100 strong stories were selected on the basis of survey responses, wishes and suggestions from residents of Smiltene Municipality, collected in spring 2020. To make each of the 100 stories interesting and original, each represents a theme important to people, such as family, patriotism, love, work, talents, children, money, celebrations, health and people who carry the name of Smiltene. The 100 selected people represent a broad demographic spectrum of Smiltene and the municipality as a whole—children, young people, people in their prime, seniors, representatives of various professions, entrepreneurs and people well known in society.
The stories of Smiltene’s strong people are endless; they are all around us. These hundred are only the beginning. Each of us is strong in our beliefs, words, actions and thoughts—we simply need to see, hear and appreciate it! We are all united by strength and love for our families, fellow human beings and the place we call home! This is a story about strong people in a strong city, municipality and Latvia. It is about every one of us.
The selection of the hundred strong stories was carried out by Lelde Adele Cīrule and Kate Deņīsova, based on suggestions submitted in the residents’ survey. The photobook was compiled by story author Lelde Adele Cīrule and photographer Mārtiņš Goldbergs. On behalf of the municipality, we thank them for the work invested in creating this work of art and this emotional testament.
Project implementation was coordinated by: Velga Mālkalne, Smiltene Municipality Cultural, Sports and Lifelong Learning Administration; Aija Cunska, member of the Smiltene Municipality Council; Marita Mūze, public relations specialist of the Smiltene Municipality Council.
The photobook can be purchased remotely from the Smiltene Municipality Tourism Information Centre. More information about the purchasing procedure https://visit.smiltene.lv/suveniri/, contact information: tel. 64707575, 29395200; e-mail: tic@smiltene.lv.
Information prepared by the Smiltene Municipality Council
www.smiltene.lv
- Published: 18 February 2021, 12:13
- Press release, LETA
