James Joyce makes a comeback as Bloomsday returns to Rīga

Take note – story published 1 year ago

June 16 sees the return of 'Bloomsday' to Latvia, a day of literary celebration with an Irish flavor that centers of James Joyce's modernist masterpiece 'Ulysses'.

The action – if that is the right word for such a narrative – of 'Ulysses' takes place on June 16, 1904 and over the years a tradition has evolved of holding Joycean celebrations each year on that date.

Two years ago Latvia saw its first official Bloomsday, as reported by LSM at the time, and after a Covid-enforced hiatus in 2021, this year sees the welcome return of Bloomsday with several events planned.

Bloomsday 2020 in Rīga
Bloomsday 2020 in Rīga

The Latvian National Library will host an evening Bloomsday conference and the screening of a documentary film about Joyce and Ulysses is planned at the Robert's Books bookshop. Prior to both of those, the most eye-catching event of the day promises to be a Bloomsday bike ride and picnic in period costume.

More information is available at the Bloomsday Latvia website.

 

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