L I T E R A T U R E

A poem titled “To My Brother” by Valters Nollendorfs opens this issue. Writer and historian of literature Nollendorfs is chairman of the Board of the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia. He was the first editor-in-chief of Jaunā Gaita (1956-1960).

Selections of poetry are from Laima Ābele, Džena Andersone, Jana Egle, Kristīne Jučkoviča, Elīna Līce, Edvīns Raups, Anta Skara and Grēta Volkoviča.

Short stories are by Ilze Lāce, Inga Pizāne, Mārtiņš Pommers, Anta Skara and Maija Migla Streiča.

 

T R A N S L A T I O N

Maksym Kryvtsov (Максим Кривцов) (1990-2024) was a Ukrainian poet and soldier. Poet Jānis Elsbergs translates excerpts from Kryvtsov’s book of war poetry, Dzejas no šaujamlūkas (Вірші з бійниці).

 

M E M O I R

Writer Dagnija Dreika shares reminiscences of Egons Līvs (1924-1989), a popular writer on seafaring themes.

 

T H E A T E R

Atis Rozentāls writes about the accomplishments of theater director Valter Sīlis (1985) of the Liepāja Theater in Latvia, whose many innovative productions are studies of human behavior under extreme circumstances.

Sandra Bondarevska, head of the World Latvian Amateur Theater Union (PLATS), writes about a conference “Plats solis” (Wide Stride) in Stockholm, Sweden last October.

 

V I S U A L   A R T

Agnija Lesničenoka, archival expert at the Latvian National Archive, writes that artist Arnolds Sildegs (1915-2003) devoted much of his life in exile to archiving art works of national importance, as well as editing and publishing the periodical Latvju māksla (Latvian Art).

JG art editor Linda Treija introduces Latvian/American artist Vija Doks, based in New York City, whose art features a wide range of styles and themes, from classics to comics. There are many illustrations of her work in this issue, and the cover design is hers as well.

 

M U S I C

Composer/teacher Andris Dzenītis offers Essay No. 19, “Speaking Openly”, about how the processes of artistic creation and teaching are sometimes misunderstood by audiences and administrators.

Lāsma Gaitniece writes about Andris Lihtenbergs (1938-1979), a popular singer who antagonized officials of the Soviet occupation to the point that his life was cut short and his recordings censored.

 

B O O K   R E V I E W S

Sanita Dāboliņa reviews Arnolda bailes un mīlestība (Arnold’s Fear and Love), a novel by Valts Kalniņš, with philosophical, absurd and dystopian aspects.

Agija Ābiķe: Kā (How), a book of poems by Gunta Šnipke, an influential Latvian architect.

Laimdota Ločmele: Gulbja zvaigznājs (Constellation of the Swan), a novel by Rolanda Bula, an inspector with the Latvian State Police.

Lāsma Gaitniece: Azerbaidžānas mūžīgie dārgumi UNESCO (Eternal Treasures of Azerbaijan in UNESCO). Published in the Latvian language, the book aims to promote Azerbaijani culture and mutual cultural exchange between the two countries.