Latvian Literature

20/12/2024

🎄Dear friends, as the year winds down, let’s take a moment to recharge - quiet and cozy!🎄
Here’s our Introvert-approved checklist for peaceful days off!
May your holidays be filled with calm moments and inspiring stories.
Season's greetings from all of us at Latvian Literature! 📚

European Literature Network European Union Prize for Literature European Writers' Council Latvijas Republikas Kultūras ministrija

19/12/2024

🎄 Isn't this the cutest French Christmas tree?
Thank you to the Ambassade de Lettonie en France/ Latvijas vēstniecība Francijā!
French publishers and our wonderful translators have your Christmas presents ready! 🇱🇻📚

Rūdolfs Blaumanis, Jānis Joņevs, Laura Vinogradova, Louise de Brisson, Nicolas Auzanneau, Les Argonautes Éditeur Les Éditions Bleu & Jaune

19/12/2024

🇩🇪 Here is yet another Latvian literature review on German radio.📻 This time the North German radio NDR.de, Anne-Marie Stoltenberg reviews Anšlavs Eglītis' "Schwäbisches Capriccio".

📖 This novel, full of sharp humour and charm, offers a witty satire of Swabian culture and traditions. Originally written during Eglītis' time in a Swabian town (Germany) after fleeing Riga in 1944, the story is both insightful and entertaining, capturing a unique cultural snapshot through the eyes of a Latvian refugee.

Available now via publisher Guggolz Verlag, this fantastic novel has been rediscovered and brought to readers thanks to translator Berthold Forssman.
A must-read and a great idea as your perfect Christmas gift! 🎁
Listen here: https://www.ndr.de/kultur/buch/tipps/Schelmenroman-Schwaebisches-Capriccio-ueber-die-Schwaben,eglitis100.html

Embassy of Latvia in Germany / Latvijas vēstniecība Vācijā

18/12/2024

🐅 Thank you so much to Evlyne Leraut and her Latvian novel "Tigre" (Tīģeris) review! 🐅
Novel by Jānis Joņevs, translated into French by Nicolas Auzanneau and published by Les Argonautes Éditeur.
"Exceptional, the unusual look that reaches to the edges of a Europe without any renunciation. The pure joy of gaining strength from such reading. A memorial," she says.
Read the review below!

Tigre Jãnis Jonevs Traduit du letton par Nicolas Auzanneau Éditions Les Argonautes éditeur « Tigre », fronton de la Lettonie est une œuvre majeure. Un futur classique, une référence littéraire hors pair. Douze nouvelles qui s’emboîtent. Un pont entre...

17/12/2024

🎉 This is truly a joy and a proud moment for Latvian literature! 🇮🇹

The most historic and prestigious Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera and its cultural newsletter La Lettura - Corriere della Sera recommend a Latvian picture book as a perfect choice for this season! 🎄📖
Whether you're searching for a Christmas gift or a beautiful story to share with your family, this recommendation is well deserved.

As La Lettura says: “The book pages, in a playful way, show a sharing of experiences between different and distant generations, who have a lot to teach and learn from each other.”

📚 "Kate, la bambina che voleva diventare un nonno" (Kate, who wanted to become a grandfather) by Latvian authors Signe Viška and Elīna Brasliņa, translated by Rita Tura, and published in Italy by Sinnos Editrice.
🎉 Congratulations to the entire team for bringing this heart warming story to readers in Italy! 🇱🇻❤️

Originally published by liels un mazs.

Embassy of Latvia in Italy / Latvijas vēstniecība Itālijā

Che gioia trovare "Kate" come albo consigliato nell'ultima newsletter de La Lettura - Corriere della Sera!

"Le pagine mettono in scena in maniera giocosa una condivisione di esperienze tra generazioni diverse e lontane, che hanno molto da insegnare e da imparare l’una dall’altra"

Latvian Literature
Emme Promo Junior

17/12/2024

📖 Daina Tabūna debut novel is seemingly a typical work of millennial literature - the protagonist Alma is in her late twenties and does not choose a way to get over a recent breakup with her partner Roberts, and the miscarriage she experienced during the relationship.
Tabūna deals with the problems of femininity, gender inequality and hypocrisy of social norms with much extraordinary humour, in which perhaps lies the greatest quality of the novel.
Although self-healing is first sought in official religions and esoteria, Alma will to the end find it in art - painting, and, above all, literature.
Although due to the auto-irony and wit with which Alma expresses her, often not very simple, loving, friendly and family concerns, the text brings the genre of romantic comedy closer, "The Witches" is actually a serious and universal novel that grows on the heart, reads several times, or at least remembers for a long time.

📖 Now available in Serbia as "Veštice" thanks to the translation of Anna Sedláčková and publisher Partizanska knjiga!

Get your copy now: https://partizanskaknjiga.rs/product/vestice/

Originally published by Ascendum.

Debitantski roman Daine Tabune naizgled je tipično delo milenijalske književnosti – glavna junakinja Alma nalazi se u kasnim dvadesetim godinama i ne bira način da preboli nedavni raskid s partnerom Robertom, kao i pobačaj koji je doživela tokom veze. Tabuna probleme ženskosti, rodne neravnopravnosti i licemerja socijalnih normi obrađuje s mnogo izvanrednog humora, u kojem možda leži i najveći kvalitet romana. Iako samoisceljenje isprva traži u zvaničnim religijama i ezoteriji, Alma će ga do kraja naći u umetnosti – slikarstvu, i, pre svega, književnosti. Iako se zbog autoironije i duhovitosti s kojima se Alma izražava o svojim, često nimalo jednostavnim, ljubavnim, prijateljskim i porodičnim brigama, tekst približava žanru romantične komedije, Veštice su zapravo ozbiljan i univerzalan roman koji prirasta k srcu, čita više p**a, ili barem dugo pamti.

Daina Tabuna (1985) letonska je književnica. Diplomirala je na Letonskoj akademiji kulture, specijalizovala se za pozorište, film i TV dramu. Od 2000. godine objavljuje prozu i članke u kulturnim medijima. Njena zbirka kratkih priča Pirmā reize (Prvi put) ušla je u uži izbor za Godišnju letonsku književnu nagradu (LaLiGaBa) 2014. godine kao najbolji prvenac godine. Tabunine priče su objavljene u Velikoj Britaniji u izdanju The Emma Press pod nazivom The Secret Box (Tajna kutija). Njena dela su prevedena na litvanski, slovenački, nemački i kineski jezik. Tabuna je takođe objavila dečiju knjigu Lasis Stasis un Atlantijas okeāns (Losos Stasis i Atlantski okean), koja je uvrštena u izbor za Letonsku književnu nagradu u kategoriji „Najbolja dečija knjiga.“ Godine 2023. objavljen je njen prvi roman Raganas (Veštice), koji je nominovan za Evropsku nagradu za književnost i Godišnju letonsku književnu nagradu.

https://partizanskaknjiga.rs/product/vestice/

S letonskog prevela Ana Sedlačkova.
Objavljivanje knjige podržala platforma Latvian Literature

16/12/2024

🇺🇸 The U.S. based online magazine "The Dial" has published an article by a translator and language enthusiast Will Mawhood about the Latgalian and Livonian languages, as well as poems by Marija Dzeisla “Marija, what city do you live in” translated from Latgalian into English by Jayde Will J.D. Kazlauskas, and a poem by Kõrli Stalte, translated by Will Mawhood.

Poems from two threatened languages in Latvia.

16/12/2024

🇫🇷 Au bonheur de lire highlights Latvian author Jānis Joņevs and his novel "Tigre" (Tīģeris)! 🐅
Translated into French by Nicolas Auzanneau, published by Les Argonautes Éditeur.

📖 Structured in twelve stories, the protagonists of this novel, navigate a world where everything is possible, yet nothing is guaranteed. From the offices of Riga to the Brazilian jungle, and even the middle of the ocean, composers, investigators, travelers, and dreamers strive to stay credible, follow their instincts, miss opportunities, and perhaps escape a planetary disaster.

✔️NOUVEAUTÉ EN LIBRAIRIE 📚

🔸Tigre - Jānis Joņevs 🔸

🔸Les protagonistes de ce roman en douze nouvelles font face à un monde où tout est possible, où rien n’est jamais acquis.

Des bureaux de Riga à la jungle brésilienne, en passant par le milieu de l’océan, compositeurs, enquêteurs, voyageurs et rêveurs s’efforcent de rester crédibles, suivent leur intuition, manquent toutes les opportunités et échappent – peut-être – à un désastre planétaire.

Imprégnées du comique absurdiste d’un Boulgakov et de quelques alcools forts, ces histoires aux mille rebondissements évoquent les vacillations de l’âme balte.

Surtout, elles nous parlent du désir plus universel d’être un tigre quand on n’est, en réalité, qu’un chat domestique.

Deuxième livre tant attendu de Jānis Joņevs, jeune auteur letton déjà culte, Tigre est un hommage plein de charme à notre inébranlable capacité de faire avec.🔸

🟧Jānis Joņevs est né en 1980 à Jelgava. Il entre à l’Académie de la culture de la Lettonie où il obtient un master d’étude française. Il publie ponctuellement des critiques littéraires et des traductions depuis 2002. Achevé en 2012, Metal lui vaut un succès critique à l’international. Il remporte notamment le prix de littérature de l’Union européenne.🟧
Les Argonautes Éditeur
Metal - Jānis Joņevs

13/12/2024

🌹🌹🌹
Sirsnīgi sveicam tulkotāju Ieva Lešinska Geiberi, saņemot Ministru kabinets / Government of Latvia Atzinības rakstu par ieguldījumu latviešu literatūras tulkošanā angļu valodā, veicinot Latvijas literatūras pazīstamību ārvalstīs, kā arī ārvalstu literāro darbu tulkošanā latviešu valodā.

13/12/2024

🇫🇷 Very Happy Friday news from France!
Latvian novel "LA RIVIÈRE" (Upe) by Laura Vinogradova, beautifully translated from Latvian by Louise de Brisson, has made it to the Top 10 in November at the lecteurs.com - a prominent French literary platform! 💖📚

Congratulations to the author, translator and of course the publisher Les Éditions Bleu & Jaune who has done a great job publishing and promoting this novel! 🥳💐💐💐

13/12/2024

🇪🇸 Two Latvian poetry translations by Sergej Timofejev have been published on Aullido Lit, a platform that highlights unique and daring literature.
"Unframed punk rock style poster" is a collection of poetry translated in Spanish that showcases Timofejev’s characteristic blend of raw emotion and rebellious energy.
Published by La Tortuga Búlgara.

📅 Today, 13th December 7pm, translator Antonio Sanchez Carnicero will present this Latvian and Ukrainian poetry collections at the event in Toledo, Spain!
Don't miss out, if you are around!

Bookstore La Madriguera de Papel (Av/ Madroño, 6, Toledo)
Event: https://facebook.com/events/s/poesia-ucraniana-y-letona-en-t/903046875287978/

Serguéi Timoféev (Riga, 1970) miembro del grupo de artistas multidisciplinarios Orbita y autor de Póster estilo punk rock sin enmarcar (2024).

12/12/2024

🇷🇸 Congratulations there is a new translation out in Serbian! 🇷🇸

Daina Tabūna debut novel “Witches” (Raganas) is now available in Serbia as "Veštice" thanks to the wonderful translation of Anna Sedláčková and publisher Partizanska knjiga!
📚 In her novel Tabūna deals with the problems of femininity, gender inequality and the hypocrisy of social norms with a lot of extraordinary humour, which may be the greatest quality of the novel.

In In 2024 Daina Tabūna with her novel was nominated for European Union Prize for Literature.

Originally published by Ascendum.
Get your copy now: https://partizanskaknjiga.rs/product/vestice/

11/12/2024

🇫🇷 🌊 We're enormously proud and delighted to share that the Latvian novel The River (Upe) by Laura Vinogradova, published in France by Les Éditions Bleu & Jaune and beautifully translated by Louise de Brisson, has been recognized by the French news media Slate.fr! 🎉

It’s featured as one of their recommended reads and Christmas gift ideas for the season. Did you hear? This is one novel you need to add to your shopping bag! 🎁
For more details, check out the article.

Originally published by Zvaigzne ABC .

10/12/2024

News!🌹🌹🌹
This is truly unique and special book — Flowers, Fairy-Tales (Pasakas par ziediem) by Latvian author Anna Sakse has now been published in Chinese as 花的故事! 📖

🌼These beautiful stories speak of love, the diversity of emotions, and reveal the many facets of human character and inner worlds!

🪻Published by Dolphin Books, the Chinese edition features translation by Wang Qiongzi and illustrations by Bai Kesha. 🎨

🌹The translation and publication of this book were made possible through the dedication and leadership of Prof. Agita Baltgalve from the University of Latvia's Latvijas Universitāte East Asian Research Centre. 🙏👏
Thank you and congratulations to everyone involved in bringing this book to life in a new language! 🎉🌸

駐拉脫維亞代表處（Taipei Mission in the Republic of Latvia） 拉脱维亚大学孔子学院Confucius Institute at University of Latvia

10/12/2024

🎉🇱🇻 We are incredibly proud and congratulate Latvian publishing house liels un mazs who has received the prestigious Award of the Cabinet of Ministers! 🏆🎉

This award—the highest honour from the Latvian government, second only to the Order of the Three Stars—recognizes their exceptional achievements in developing high-quality children's and young people's literature in Latvia.📚

Without "Liels un Mazs", the world would have far fewer Latvian picture books on its shelves. Thanks to their hard work, much loved bestsellers by Latvian authors and illustrators have reached readers world wide, sharing the beauty of our literature. 📚🎨

This recognition is so well deserved and we can't wait to see what the next 20 years bring for their incredible team!

Congratulations! 🎉👏🎉👏🎉👏

Latvijas Republikas Kultūras ministrija

10/12/2024

🇵🇱📻 In an interview on Polish radio station Opole, translator Dans Lubinskis shared insights about Latvian literature reaching Polish readers. 🎙️

He began by introducing Latvian author Inga Gaile, highlighting her work and achievements, and speaking about her most recent translation into Polish "Jaukumiņš" (Skarbeniek) and his translation process.

Dans also praised Wydawnictwo Marpress - Polish publishing house and the Marpress Baltic Series for showcasing Baltic authors and the initiative of Latvian Literature and our work as well.
He gave a great overview of Latvian writers published in Poland in recent years and the translators who brought their work to life in Polish. 📚
Wrapping up, Dans mentioned his own plans and expressed hope that his students might one day translate works from Latvia—what a fantastic idea! Thank you, for your dedication and work!

Ambasada Łotwy w Polsce - Latvijas vēstniecība Polijā

Naszym gościem był tłumacz z języka łotewskiego Daniel Łubiński, który opowiedział nie tylko o dokonanych przez siebie przekładach prozatorskich (w tym najnowszej książki Ingi Gaile

09/12/2024

🇮🇹 Yesterday, Robinson by la Repubblica, Italy's second-largest newspaper, featured a wonderful review of the book "Kate, la bambina che voleva diventare un nonno" (Kate, who wanted to become a grandfather) by Latvian author Signe Viška, illustrated by Elīna Brasliņa, translated by Rita Tura and published in Italy by Sinnos Editrice 👧👴 Congratulations to all!

💖 "A book that reminds us all—both young and old—that we have something to learn from each other, " says Francesca Tamburini.

She continues saying that through Kate's curious eyes and surreal way of thinking, Viška shows us how the reality of adults is perceived by small children—as a space that can be reinvented and inhabited with the power of imagination. Brasliņa's illustrations bring out the text's tenderness and humour with every stroke. 🎨

"Beneath the seemingly light storyline lies a profound message: the ability to dream and change, knows no age or limits. Kate, in her innocence, teaches us that the desire to emulate someone we love can be the key to cultivating deep and authentic relationships.
Kate, the Girl Who Wanted to Become a Grandfather is not just a story for children but a reflection on the beauty of intergenerational relationships. "💖

Originally published by liels un mazs.

Embassy of Latvia in Italy / Latvijas vēstniecība Itālijā

Ieri Robinson la Repubblica ha dedicato un bellissimo approfondimento all'albo "Kate, la bambina che voleva diventare un nonno", di Signe Viška con le tavole di Elina Braslina e tradotto da Rita Tura.

"Un libro che ricorda che tutti, grandi e piccini, abbiamo qualcosa da imparare gli uni dagli altri"
Decisamente da mettere sotto l'albero!

Latvian Literature
Emme Promo Junior

09/12/2024

🇷🇴 We are happy to share the news that another Latvian poetry collection has been published abroad! This time, it’s in 🇷🇴 Romanian! Congratulations! 🎉
📚 Semyon Khanin - a Latvian Russian writing poet, has seen his poetry collection "detalii omise" (Details Omitted) beautifully translated into Romanian by Diana Iepure and published by Casa de Editură Max Blecher.

Get your copy now: 📖
https://maxblecher.ro/detalii_omise.php

Noi apariții la standul 133 al Casei de Editură Max Blecher (Târgul de Carte Gaudeamus, Romexpo, Pavilionul B2)

|||||

„detalii omise” de Semion Hanin, în traducerea Dianei Iepure | volum apărut cu sprijinul Latvian Literature