https://eng.lsm.lv/ eng.lsm.lv en https://eng.lsm.lv//assets/logo/lsm_hi.png https://eng.lsm.lv/ https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/16.06.2026-free-bloomsday-books-available-at-latvian-national-library.a651493/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 16 Jun 2026 08:31:00 GMT 651493 Fans of literature in general and Irish literature in particular will be delighted to learn that on June 16th they can obtain a free example of Irish writing, available in both English and Latvian. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/10.06.2026-bloomsday-book-giveaway-at-latvian-national-library.a650912/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 10 Jun 2026 10:33:05 GMT 650912 Fans of literature in general and Irish literature in particular will be delighted to learn that on June 16th they can obtain a free example of Irish writing, available in both English and Latvian. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/09.06.2026-new-book-of-stories-published-in-easy-latvian-language.a650707/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 09 Jun 2026 07:32:00 GMT 650707 The "Valters un Rapa" publishing house and book shop has published a third book in its series "Stories in Easy Language", continuing its work in promoting the accessibility of original Latvian literature to everyone.  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/24.04.2026-online-e-book-buying-not-particularly-popular-in-latvia.a644367/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 24 Apr 2026 07:15:11 GMT 644367 In 2025, 9.5% of EU residents, who used the internet in the past 3 months, bought e-books or audio books in the 3 months before the survey on the use of ICT in households by individuals, up from 7.3% in 2024, according to Eurostat.  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/26.03.2026-latvian-literature-award-shortlist-announced.a640566/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 26 Mar 2026 11:47:22 GMT 640566 The nominees for the Latvian Literature Annual Award were announced in eight categories on March 26th. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/19.03.2026-locate-latvian-literature-in-leipzig.a639525/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 19 Mar 2026 09:48:00 GMT 639525 From March 19 to 22, the annual book fair will take place in the beautiful German city of Leipzig and, as usual, Latvia will be represented with a national stand and an extensive programme of events. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/17.03.2026-riga-book-festival-returns-this-weekend.a639165/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 17 Mar 2026 07:14:00 GMT 639165 The Riga Book Festival will take place at the National Library of Latvia on March 20 and 21. The Latvian Publishers Association and the National Library of Latvia invite both readers and non-readers to join the discussions and find inspiration. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/13.03.2026-writer-and-translator-lilija-berzinska-passes-away.a638804/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 13 Mar 2026 13:39:00 GMT 638804 There was very sad news on March 12th with the announcement that writer, translator, illustrator and Doctor of Humanities Lilija Berzinska (1978–2026) has passed away at the age of just 47. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/12.03.2026-latvian-literature-2026-translation-grants-announced.a638567/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 12 Mar 2026 10:05:50 GMT 638567 On March 5th, 2026 a commission of experts gathered and assessed 46 applications from foreign publishers and 38 applications from translators for publishing literary works of Latvian authors abroad, with the results made public on March 12th. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/04.03.2026-international-poetry-festival-page-break-returns-to-riga-in-april.a637288/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 04 Mar 2026 07:19:55 GMT 637288 The international poetry festival "Page Break" will take place for the fifth time from April 22 to 25, bringing together internationally recognised poets from various countries and offering a wide range of poetry events in several venues that are freely accessible to all interested parties, according to the event organisers. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/11.02.2026-latvian-literary-journals-to-celebrate-loneliness-on-valentines-day.a634079/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 11 Feb 2026 06:13:07 GMT 634079 Four Latvian print magazines – the literary magazine "Strāva", the philosophical magazine "Tvērums", the avant-garde magazine "Avīzes Nosakums" and the art and literature magazine "Asalwaysunknown" ("AAU") – are organizing their first ever "Loneliness Festival" on February 14th, reports Latvian Radio. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/27.01.2026-latvian-women-writers-union-forming.a631798/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 27 Jan 2026 11:30:34 GMT 631798 On February 5 at 7 p.m., readings will be held at the Istaba gallery to announce the establishment of the Latvian Women Writers' Union, said the organisation. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/26.01.2026-latvias-words-and-non-words-of-2025-are-all-in-the-same-boat.a631642/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 26 Jan 2026 12:29:00 GMT 631642 For the 23rd time, Riga Latvian Society's Latvian Language Advancement Group has announced the 'word', 'non-word', 'winged phrase', and 'sequence of words' of the year 2025, the campaign's promoters said January 26th. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/21.01.2026-latvian-thesaurus-hungry-for-new-words.a630853/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 21 Jan 2026 05:29:35 GMT 630853 On January 20th, the electronic dictionary "Tēzaurs" (Thesaurus) launched a public engagement campaign called "Iesaki vārdu!" (Suggest a word!). https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/15.01.2026-latvian-books-went-around-the-world-in-2025.a630164/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 15 Jan 2026 15:36:10 GMT 630164 Last year, 80 works by Latvian writers reached readers in 33 countries around the world in translation, 53 of which were published with the support of grants awarded by the "Latvian Literature" platform, representatives of the platform revealed. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/04.01.2026-latvian-writer-nora-ikstena-dies-aged-56.a628484/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sun, 04 Jan 2026 09:20:00 GMT 628484 On Sunday, January 4th, writer Nora Ikstena passed away at the age of 56 after a serious illness, her relatives confirmed to Latvian public media. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/26.11.2025-three-much-loved-magazines-to-fold.a623840/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 26 Nov 2025 07:59:00 GMT 623840 Three magazines from the publishing house Žurnāls Santa  will cease publication next year, it has been announced. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/12.11.2025-in-search-of-the-first-latvian-book.a621927/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 12 Nov 2025 07:15:00 GMT 621927 Half a millennium has passed since the publication of the first printed work in the Latvian language. But the whereabouts of the book in question are unknown and considered a mystery. LSM talked to one of the historians who try to solve this “detective story” dating back to 1525. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/07.11.2025-go-through-darkness-with-a-book-on-saturday.a621296/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 07 Nov 2025 12:59:00 GMT 621296 On 8th November, the National Library of Latvia (LNB) invites everyone to participate in the culmination of the series of events marking 500 Years of  Latvian Books, with ominously-titled 'Through Darkness with a Book'. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/17.10.2025-koknese-library-makes-home-deliveries-for-elderly.a618753/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 17 Oct 2025 06:19:00 GMT 618753 Koknese Library has just over 1600 readers, and about a third of them are seniors. Many of them can no longer come for new books on their own, so the library has decided to offer free home delivery. The first delivery trip was made this week, Zemgale Television reports. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/11.10.2025-seamus-heaney-exhibition-opens-at-latvian-national-library.a617914/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sat, 11 Oct 2025 07:53:00 GMT 617914 October 7th saw the opening of a new exhibition at the Latvian National Library on the life and work of the great Irish poet, Seamus Heaney (1939-2013). https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/25.09.2025-children-and-youth-book-festival-takes-place-in-sigulda-this-weekend.a615763/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 25 Sep 2025 08:40:23 GMT 615763 A children and youth reading festival will take place from 26 to 28 September, and its mission is to promote the joy of reading among children and young people, Latvian Radio reports. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/24.09.2025-invitation-to-explore-latgalian-languages-literary-history.a615643/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 24 Sep 2025 10:52:07 GMT 615643 On Friday, September 26th, celebrating the European Day of Languages ​​and supporting the events of the "Latvian Book 500" event cycle, the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Latvia (LU), in collaboration with the Latgalian cultural movement "Volūda", invites you to an informative afternoon dedicated to ancient Latgalian publications - books published in the 18th and 19th centuries. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/04.09.2025-hop-on-a-poetic-tram-ride-this-sunday-in-riga.a613032/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 04 Sep 2025 09:21:14 GMT 613032 On Sunday, 7 September, the National Library of Latvia, in collaboration with Rīgas satiksme and the Latvian Writers' Union, invites everyone to take a poetry ride on a tram in Rīga. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/27.08.2025-latvian-and-estonian-languages-award-goes-to-margus-konnula.a612024/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 27 Aug 2025 19:56:39 GMT 612024 On 27th August 2025, during a joint meeting of the Governments of Latvia and Estonia in Tartu, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the two countries participated in a ceremony for the Languages Award handed out by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and Estonia each year. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/18.08.2025-self-service-bibliomats-appreciated-by-readers-in-latvia.a610806/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 18 Aug 2025 12:48:29 GMT 610806 A self-service machine for book receipt and handover has been introduced in 46 public libraries in Latvia. Readers appreciate this opportunity, Ilze Aizsila, head of the Mārupe municipal library, and Ilze Kļaviņa, library specialist at the National Library of Latvia, told Latvian Radio's "How to Live Better" programme. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/08.08.2025-latvian-librarians-operate-covert-courgette-campaign.a609669/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 08 Aug 2025 07:16:00 GMT 609669 When writer Andris Kalnozols published his book "Kalendārs mani sauc" ("The Calendar Calls Me") five years ago, he could not have imagined that it would become not only one of the most popular recent Latvian novels, but also the inspiration for secret courgette (kabacis to Latvians, zucchini to Americans) planting in city parks all over Latvia. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/16.06.2025-poet-inese-zandere-the-more-you-learn-about-ukrainian-cultural-values-the-easier-it-is-to-understand-why-russia-hates-ukraine-so-much.a603473/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 16 Jun 2025 13:13:00 GMT 603473 The outstanding Latvian poet and writer Inese Zandere was the subject of a fascinating in-depth interview by Latvian Radio's Arnis Krauze recently, and in among a host of wise words, she had some pertinent thoughts about Ukraine and its heroic defence against Russia's brutal imperialism.  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/03.05.2025-rise-recorded-in-number-of-authors-journalists-and-linguists-in-latvia.a597005/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sat, 03 May 2025 05:55:00 GMT 597005 In 2023, 868 700 people in the EU were employed as authors, journalists or linguists. The number of people employed in these professions decreased by 2.5% compared with 2022, according to Eurostat data published April 2. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/25.04.2025-bibliomat-machines-help-readers-get-their-hands-on-books.a596703/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 25 Apr 2025 06:18:10 GMT 596703 Bibliomats, or book dispensing and parcel machines, have been operating in parts of Latvia for four years. Now they have been introduced in South Kurzeme, attracting both active book readers and those who would like to read but do not have the opportunity to visit libraries.   https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/23.04.2025-latvian-and-estonian-language-award-open-for-entries.a596472/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 23 Apr 2025 14:00:00 GMT 596472 The Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and Estonia announce a call for nominations for the annual Latvian and Estonian Language Promotion Award (Languages Award). https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/23.04.2025-page-break-poetry-festival-starts-today.a596413/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 23 Apr 2025 08:13:00 GMT 596413 From 23 to 26 April, the 4th International Poetry Festival “PAGE BREAK” will take place, and for the first time it will be held in Rīga. The festival will bring together 16 poets from around the world, offering a rich and diverse programme of contemporary poetry events. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/02.04.2025-vote-for-your-favorite-latvian-literary-work-of-last-year.a593864/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 02 Apr 2025 05:38:00 GMT 593864 From 2 April to 24 April, the Latvian Public Media portal LSM.lv will host the public vote for the Latvian Literature Award 2025 (LALIGABA), allowing readers to determine their favourite. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/01.04.2025-annual-latvian-literature-award-nominees-announced.a593755/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 01 Apr 2025 10:49:03 GMT 593755 On 1 April, the nominees and winners of this year's Latvian Literature Award (LALIGABA) were announced. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/31.03.2025-latvia-takes-a-stand-at-bologna-book-fair.a593597/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 31 Mar 2025 10:40:00 GMT 593597 From 31 March until 3 April, Bologna, Italy, hosts the annual Children’s Book Fair, which is to be attended also by Latvian publishers. Latvia’s participation is being coordinated by the “Latvian Literature” export platform. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/26.03.2025-latvian-literature-on-show-in-leipzig.a593003/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 26 Mar 2025 09:52:17 GMT 593003 Latvia is participating in this year's Leipzig Book Fair (Leipziger Buchmesse) in Germany with a national stand and event program from March 27 to 30. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/21.03.2025-european-booksellers-are-compiling-a-conference-in-riga.a592436/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 21 Mar 2025 08:05:01 GMT 592436 The RISE Bookselling Conference will gather booksellers from all over the world in Rīga on March 23-24, bringing approximately 300 booksellers together for two days of discussions, networking, and professional development. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/16.03.2025-aspazijas-160th-birthday-marked-minus-monument.a591709/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sun, 16 Mar 2025 09:08:00 GMT 591709 Sunday, March 16, marks the 160th anniversary of the birth of one of the most prominent figures in Latvian cultural history – Aspazija. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/18.02.2025-golden-apple-book-design-nominees-revealed.a588208/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 18 Feb 2025 06:14:00 GMT 588208 This year, the book art competition "Golden Apple" organized by the Latvian Book Publishers Association (LGA) is taking place for the 32nd time, with publishers submitting their best-looking books published in the previous year. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/31.01.2025-avots-language-festival-takes-place-this-weekend-in-latvia.a585964/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 31 Jan 2025 10:30:00 GMT 585964 On February 1 and 2, Ģertrūdes Street Theater (ĢIT) will host a new, interdisciplinary event - the language festival "Avots". It will offer thematic lectures, discussions, and workshops on various language-related issues, the organizers – cultural venue House of Languages – said. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/27.01.2025-latvias-legendary-poetic-diplomat-janis-peters-passes-away.a585375/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 27 Jan 2025 15:53:00 GMT 585375 There was sad news January 27 of the death of outstanding Latvian poet, prominent public figure and diplomat Jānis Peters at the age of 85, LTV reports. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/17.01.2025-48-latvian-books-were-published-abroad-in-2024.a584046/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 17 Jan 2025 12:29:16 GMT 584046 In all. 48 books by Latvian authors were published abroad in 23 countries in 2024, according to data from the Latvian Literature platform. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/08.01.2025-another-easy-latvian-language-storybook-published.a582844/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 08 Jan 2025 12:03:55 GMT 582844 Stories by five Latvian authors are included in the second book of the series "Stories in Easy Language", published by Valters un Rapa, the publishers said January 8. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/06.01.2025-updated-bible-published-in-latvia.a582475/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 06 Jan 2025 07:42:00 GMT 582475 A new edition of the Bible, the holy book of Christians, has been published in Latvian. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/08.12.2024-two-latvian-writers-attend-congress-in-moscow.a579402/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sun, 08 Dec 2024 07:24:29 GMT 579402 The Latvian Writers' Union has suspended two members, Vija Laganovska and Sergejs Moreino. The reason is their trip to Russia and their participation in the Congress of Translators in Moscow this autumn. The Writers' Union is still waiting to hear from the State Security Service on the possible expulsion of the two members, Latvian Television reported December 7. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/03.12.2024-annual-prose-readings-take-place-in-latvia.a578676/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 03 Dec 2024 05:43:00 GMT 578676 The literature festival Prose Readings is traditionally held at the end of the year in Latvia. On December 1, they were symbolically inaugurated by the finalists of the contest "How to Live On?", Latvian Television reports. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/01.11.2024-riga-book-festival-returns-november-8.a574717/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 01 Nov 2024 11:56:00 GMT 574717 The annual Riga Book Festival - a gathering of readers, publishers, authors, and artists will take place at the National Library of Latvia (LNB) on November 8 from 11:00 to 20:00 and on November 9 from 10:00 to 18:00, hosted by the LNB and the Latvian Publishers Association. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/25.10.2024-the-bibliophile-saving-latvians-the-moral-pain-of-book-disposal.a573993/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 25 Oct 2024 13:48:07 GMT 573993 "How naive I was a year and a half ago!" Such is the conclusion of Rolands Laķis, who has 'saved' 150,000 books during this period. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/22.10.2024-talks-continue-on-swiss-museum-exhibit-dedicated-to-latvian-writers.a573453/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 22 Oct 2024 09:54:00 GMT 573453 On October 21, the Latvian Minister of Culture, Agnese Lāce, met with representatives of the Swiss city of Lugano to discuss the future fate of a museum exhibition dedicated to Latvian writers Rainis and Aspazija. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/14.10.2024-latvia-opens-another-chapter-at-frankfurt-book-market.a572435/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 14 Oct 2024 11:12:34 GMT 572435 Between October 16 and 20, Latvia will participate with a national stand at the Frankfurt Book Fair (Frankfurter Buchmesse), one of Europe's most important literary events of the year.