Discussion «Which Way Is Return? (Post-)Exile in History, Life Stories, and Literature»
During the week in which we celebrate the Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia, the Cēsis Museum, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Latvia’s Faculty of Humanities, invites everyone to a discussion afternoon exploring the experience of (post-)exile from a range of historical, personal, and literary perspectives.
The discussion will feature the following speakers:
• Historian Kristīne Beķere, who will provide an overview of the history of the Latvian exile community and the preservation of the idea of Latvian statehood in exile;
• Historian and life-story researcher Maija Krūmiņa, who will examine the impact of the restoration of Latvia’s independence on the lives and identities of exiles, drawing on personal narratives;
• Literary scholar Elvis Friks, who will explore the works of writer Aina Vāvere, highlighting their connection to the Cēsis region and their portrayal of (post-)exile in literature;
• Historian Tālis Pumpuriņš, who will present materials on the history of Latvia’s national flag and coat of arms from the donation made to the Cēsis Museum by Kārlis Dzirkalis, a Latvian exile community activist and cultural historian.
The discussion will offer participants an opportunity to explore the experience of (post-)exile as a complex and evolving phenomenon – from historical processes to personal choices and cultural expressions. It will also provide a broader introduction to the activities of the project «Navigating Post-Exile: Transformations and Transitions in the Latvian Exile Community after 1991». Over the past year and a half, the project has been collecting life stories from several generations of Latvian exiles, producing scholarly publications, and presenting research at both national and international conferences. The research team has also been engaging with the wider public through discussions and outreach activities to raise awareness and foster a deeper understanding of the phenomenon of post-exile – a concept and lived experience that is only gradually being conceptualised within Latvian scholarship and public discourse.
Admission is free.
The event is organised in collaboration with the University of Latvia’s Faculty of Humanities and the project «Navigating Post-Exile: Transformations and Transitions in the Latvian Exile Community after 1991» (Project No. lzp-2024/1-0114).
