Rīga is not just the capital of the Republic of Latvia. Rīga has parks, hills, churches, museums, and theatres. In Rīga one can play sports, rest, shop, study, and live! This book will help you find your own piece of Rīga in additional to providing you with important information about the city`s history, symbols, famous inhabitants, and tourist attractions. Here you will find practical information about public transportation, festivals and other events in Rīga.
"History of Latvia" A. Spekke (2007-01-16 14:15:00)
This book not simply historical study; its author and publisher have attempted to erect a monument to a nation that, throughout its heroic resistance to many tribulations, has never given up.
The story begins in 2000 B.C. with the peoples of the Eastern Baltic littoral and continues into the 20th century, during which time the Latvians endured three ruthless foreign occupations. We learn of the desperate struggles – yet resolute vitality – of this peaceful agrarian nation that lived at the crossroads where both Western and Eastern European imperialisms have clashed throughout history.
In studying this corner of Northern Europe, the author of History of Latvia, Professor Arnolds Spekke (1887 – 1973), a diplomat, historian, and Roman philologist, has used materials and sources that are not easily accessible and were previously under – explored. He does not treat Latvia as an isolated area, but rather sees its history within the context of Europe`s political crosscurrents.
Not only is this work rich in facts; but Profesor Spekke`s conclusions, syntheses, and formulations are discerning and farsighted.
"Histoire de la Lettonie" au 20eme siecle (2006-12-04 11:09:00)
The French version of the book has been compiled by several authors; thus, it comprises an extensive bibliography and presents the most objective view possible on the history of Latvia in the last century.
The book focuses on dispersing popular myths. The most important historical events and processes are viewed in the context of European history and evaluated from the position of the Latvian state.
The book is reviewed by Artis Pabriks, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia, and Paul Goble, vice dean at the Concordia-Audentes University in Tallin and Senior Research Associate at EuroCollege of the University of Tartu. President of the Republic of Latvia Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga about the book: „This is no doubt a work on the Latvian nation, state and their fate during the last century. The book does not present past events and processes from a narrow viewpoint of Latvian historians led by local patriotism. This book is an attempt to arrive at an objective understanding of the past, an understanding that towers above the interests of one nation and one social group. The authors have strived for analysis and evaluation of Latvian history in the wider context of historical events in Europe and the world.
The work comprises a description and analysis of complicated and concealed issues that have not been discussed before – Soviet and Nazi occupation periods, their consequences, holocaust, Soviet mass deportations, collaborationism, resistance to the occupation.
Many politicians and celebrities of the period are evaluated in the book. To a certain extent, the work reveals the present development of Latvian modern time history, and outlines the issues that require further and more detailed study.
This book proves that history and its study is a never-ending process aiming to find out the facts and reasons for what has happened to us.”
"The 60ies. The world of the Soviet people" (2006-12-01 13:39:00)
The authors of the book, themselves being witnesses to the 60ies, have succeeded in creating a perfect tableau of the Soviet time. The book has a certain time framework – it opens with the 22nd Congress of CPSU in 1961 and ends with the Soviet army’s occupation of Czechoslovakia in 1968.
During these years, the Soviet civilization developed in a manner that later became inherent to it. A particular type of ‘a man of the 60ies’, so often recalled today, was developed. Even more – these were the years when deep changes into the Soviet social ideology took place.
Authors make extensive use of the mass culture evidence of that time – press, books, movies, television broadcasts, songs, jokes. The evidence proves the fact that the official sources of information not only misrepresent the reality, but also form it.
The book reflects the atmosphere, morals, lifestyle, widespread ideas, style and the special mode of thinking characteristic to the Soviet people.
From the authors:
„Aiming to hold the objective observers’ ground, we keep in mind that, as the ‘children of the Thaw’, we often view the 60ies uncritically. Nothing doing – even our fallacies are characteristic to the time.
We aim at a rather wide readership – people that witnessed the ideological deviations or ideological fashions. This intelligentsia, taking active interest in social problems, might be called subscribers of the ‘thick periodicals’”.
History of Latvia: the 20th Century (2006-10-12 14:44:00)
The English version of the book has been compiled by several authors; thus, it comprises an extensive bibliography and presents the most objective view possible on the history of Latvia in the last century.The book focuses on dispersing popular myths. The most important historical events and processes are viewed in the context of European history and evaluated from the position of the Latvian state.The book is reviewed by Artis Pabriks, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia, and Paul Goble, vice dean at the Concordia-Audentes University in Tallin and Senior Research Associate at EuroCollege of the University of Tartu. President of the Republic of Latvia Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga about the book: „This is no doubt a work on the Latvian nation, state and their fate during the last century. The book does not present past events and processes from a narrow viewpoint of Latvian historians led by local patriotism. This book is an attempt to arrive at an objective understanding of the past, an understanding that towers above the interests of one nation and one social group. The authors have strived for analysis and evaluation of Latvian history in the wider context of historical events in Europe and the world.The work comprises a description and analysis of complicated and concealed issues that have not been discussed before – Soviet and Nazi occupation periods, their consequences, holocaust, Soviet mass deportations, collaborationism, resistance to the occupation. Many politicians and celebrities of the period are evaluated in the book. To a certain extent, the work reveals the present development of Latvian modern time history, and outlines the issues that require further and more detailed study.This book proves that history and its study is a never-ending process aiming to find out the facts and reasons for what has happened to us.”“History of Latvia: the 20th Century” has been published in Latvian, Russian and English. Translations to French and German are being prepared; a possible Spanish translation is being discussed.
Daina Kraukle, expert of the Latvian Ethnographical open-air museum, explains the semantics of the traditional Latvian ornaments.
What do such ornaments as twin, Māra’s ornament, right-sided filfot, zalktis (adder), Austra’s tree (Austras koks) mean? The book tells about the origin of these symbols, the meaning they have in Latvian mythology and culture, and describes both affinities and differences between Latvian symbols and those of other nations.
The explanation will help the reader to become competent and read the ornaments embedded in Latvian mittens, woollen socks, bedspreads, belts and hope chests.
May this book promote your interest in the rich culture of Latvia.
Theatre production in the Baltic states (2006-10-09 12:00:00)
This book, written by Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian theatre scientists and drama critics, is devoted to theatre production in the Baltic states during the second half of the 20th century. The authors analyse dramatic processes and the most prominent figures in Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian theatre production, dramatics, stage design, dramaturgy, and theatre music from the end of the World War II to year 2005.
Separate entries are devoted to such directors as Juozas Miltinis, Jonas Vaitkus, Eimuntas Nekrušius, Oskaras Koršunovas, Kaarel Ird, Voldemar Panso, Jaan Tooming, Elmo Nüganel, Alfrēds Jaunušans, Pēteris Pētersons, Oļģerts Kroders, Arnolds Liniņš, Ādolfs Šapiro, Arkādijs Kacs, Māra Ķimele and Alvis Hermanis.
Moreover, the review mentions all the other theatre directors of that time.
As such a comprehensive research has never been conducted before, the project is truly unique. This book gives an outline of theatre development in the Baltic states – and it also proves that theatre production in the three countries has just as much in common as our histories.
The Latvian Legion according to Independent Observers (2006-10-09 13:05:00)
The role and activities of the Latvian SS Legion in the World War II has been hotly debated both in the Latvian and foreign press. Historians, scientists, and politicians that have studied the history of the Latvian Legion have already given their answers concerning the issues of establishing the Legion, Legion’s fighting ability and motives leading the legionnaires in the fight. This book is the contribution of famed Latvian publicist and legionnaire Visvaldis Lācis.
The issues explored:
The Latvian SS Legion according to foreign historians
The attitude of the Latvian nation towards the Latvian Legion (1941-1945)
The strategy for teaching the history of Latvia at schools during the independence period, its role in creating patriotic sentiments
Legionnaire songs, soldiers’ ‘folklore’
The fate of the most successful Latvian athletes in the Latvian Legion and in exile
Estonian and Lithuanian soldiers in German armed forces
Attitude towards the Latvian Legion in Latvia today
Rīga is not just the capital of the Republic of Latvia. Rīga has parks, hills, churches, museums, and theatres. In Rīga one can play sports, rest, shop, study, and live! This book will help you find your own piece of Rīga in additional to providing you with important information about the city`s history, symbols, famous inhabitants, and tourist attractions. Here you will find practical information about public transportation, festivals and other events in Rīga.
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Biografia de Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga, Presidenta de Letonia
This book not simply historical study; its author and publisher have attempted to erect a monument to a nation that, throughout its heroic resistance to many tribulations, has never given up.
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