Documentary examines how Latvian diaspora kept its culture alive

Take note – story published 3 years ago

Latvian Television has prepared another in its series of short documentary films titled 'The Keys', looking at different aspects of national history.

Though this episode's nominal date under consideration is very recent -- 2018, Latvia's centenary year -- the subject matter is much older as 'The Keys' traces the historical attempts of the Latvian diaspora to keep their language and culture alive even in the most challenging circumstances.

It is a fascinating story including an oiled pig on the loose in the streets of Stockholm and an amazing Baltic cruise ending with a huge demonstration in Helsinki, as well as an inspirational figure in Canadian industry.  The success of Latvia's exile community continues to the present day, with both the state president and the current prime minister having diaspora backgrounds.

According to LTV "The Keys" series tells of the most important or "key" events, personalities and turning points in the history of the Latvian state from 1918 to the present. The purpose is to reveal each selected event from an unusual point of view, as if "unlocking the door" to lesser known and therefore particularly intriguing facts. 

"Such an exploratory approach, bypassing the usual stereotypes of presenting history, will allow viewers to perceive what is known to others and to better understand what has happened in the context of today's experience," says LTV.

The show is made by VFS Films, a long-time partner of Latvian Television and it is hosted by Mārtiņš Ķibilds, a distinguished cultural journalist who sadly passed away late last year.

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