MORE INSIGHTS
The sets of books donated were prepared by the National Library of Latvia (LNB). Initial preference was given to books published in recent years in Latvia that illustrate local publishing, editions in other languages which can reach the widest possible audience, and books which provide important and accurate information about Latvia, its history, language and traditions.
"The aim of the donations is to promote knowledge about our country and its culture, to help popularise Latvia and understand more of our country's history, especially during the 20th century," explained Aivija Everte, Collection Development Manager at the LNB.
Gems among the books donated
The sets compiled for donation are divided into three thematic topics: history and politics; culture, language and literature; art and architecture. Books about Latvian history form the core of the set, along with the biographical novel "Ar balles kurpēm Sibīrijas sniegos" (With Dance Shoes in Siberian Snows) by Sandra Kalniete, which is the most translated Latvian book of the last decade, and publications on Latvia regaining its independence.
Latvian literature and folklore are represented by Latvian folk song translations into English, German and Russian, as well as an anthology of Latvian literature. The "little gem" of the set is the poem "Poga" (Button) by Knuts Skujenieks with its translations into 33 languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Georgian, Hebrew, Icelandic, Livonian, Macedonian and Turkish. The poem was written in 1964 at a forced labour camp in Mordovia, but was published only in 1990 when Latvia regained its independence, soon to be followed by its first translations. The small multilingual book is the author's gift to all political prisoners and their relatives.
"I dedicated it to my wife. But when I read this poem in Stockholm, Paris, Krakow and elsewhere, I could tell from the audience's reaction that it does not belong just to the two of us," said Knuts Skujenieks about the poem.
Several academic studies and collections of articles on the development of Latvian civil society, modern culture, political and ethnic issues are also included in the set. Art and architecture enthusiasts will find books on Riga's Art Nouveau, while all recipients will be given a richly illustrated edition on the new LNB building in Latvian and English. A selection of books donated by publishers and authors completes the cultural and arts section of the set.
"We have much to be proud of that we can tell the world about. We just need to find a way to do it. Books can help us in this regard!" says Sigita Kušnere, a lecturer at the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Latvia and one of the experts who helped to draw up the list of books for donation.
Donation recipients
"When I saw the list of books compiled by the Secretariat of the Latvian Presidency and the list of recipients – which is, possibly, just as important – I was delighted that these books about Latvia, its people, spirit, history and modern life, art and culture will travel to places where such publications should be found," said Sigita Kušnere on assessing the donations.
It is planned to send these donations to 73 libraries in 35 countries around the world – from Latvia's closest neighbours and EU Member States to more distant countries such as Azerbaijan, Canada, China, Egypt, India, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The largest number of sets donated (8 in total) will be sent to libraries in Germany.
The books will travel to national libraries and universities in countries which have study programmes on Eastern Europe, the Baltics and the Baltic languages, as well as to the EU Council, European Parliament and European Commission's libraries in Brussels. The books chosen are therefore in English or parallel editions in German, Russian and French, along with bilingual editions. Each library will receive almost 20 books.
"I am convinced that many of these books will find the right readers and their content will open the way for foreign readers to discover Latvia," hopes Sigita Kušnere.
The first sets have already reached their new home. Associate Professor Laimute Balode of the University of Helsinki (Baltic Languages and Cultures) has expressed her thanks and stressed that these books will definitely be used in the learning process.
