“Aspazija / Rainis: rebel / humanist” exhibition to open in Paris

The exhibition showcases the biography of Rainis (pseudonym of Jānis Pliekšāns, 1865–1929) and Aspazija (pseudonym of Johanna Emīlija Lizete Rozenberga, 1865–1943), as well as excerpts from their literary works. Visitors have the opportunity to learn about the origin of the authors’ pseudonyms, and to get to know the countries and cities in which they lived. The exhibition also contains maps of Latvia at various times, a language family tree and information about historical events in the world during the lifetime of Rainis and Aspazija. It thus provides a comprehensive overview of the time when both authors' ideas were born.

The exhibition will be on display at the Salle des Pas Perdus exhibition hall of the UNESCO headquarters until 24 April.

Aspazija, 1903. Photo: Osvalds Lange

The active period in the lives of Aspazija and Rainis corresponds with a significant time for Europe in terms of historical events and social change. As empires collapsed, many nations began to cherish hopes for national autonomy; ideas circulated about a united Europe; social democracy was born; and the ideas of social equality and the emancipation of women were becoming ever more popular.

This era witnessed the rapid development of Latvian professional literature, political thought and the educational system. The works of Aspazija and Rainis laid important groundwork for Latvian self-confidence and culture. The accomplishments of the two poets had a profound influence on the literary careers of their successors as well as on philosophy, political culture and even everyday language. Both Rainis' plays and philosophical poetry and Aspazija's rebellious, temperamental and often feminist plays remain topical even in the 21st century. 

Rainis, 1901. Photo: M. Poļakovs

The 150th anniversary of Aspazija and Rainis has been included in the UNESCO calendar of events for 2014–2015. Furthermore, the writers' mutual correspondence spanning 35 years has been included in the Latvian national register of the UNESCO “Memory of the World” programme.

The “Aspazija / Rainis: rebel / humanist” exhibition has been created by the Latvian Association of Memorial Museums in cooperation with the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Latvia to UNESCO and other partners. The authors of the exhibition are writer Pauls Bankovskis and artist Kaspars Perskis, and the project is curated by Elvīra Bloma.

The exhibition is part of the Latvian EU Council cultural programme which has contemporaneity, uniqueness and excellence as its core values. The selection of cultural events is designed to introduce the international audience to some of the highlights of Latvian literature, music and art.