Embassy expresses gratitude to the organizers, participants, librarians, teachers and supporters of the Balts Literature Week

On December 20, 2023 Ambassador Solveiga Silkalna and the staff of the Embassy expressed gratitude to the participants, librarians and teachers of the "Balts Literature Week" project for their participation in the project of Lithuanian and Latvian school libraries – “Your enthusiasm and creativity undoubtedly inspire the young generation to be interested in the literature of our countries, culture and history, to take on the role of the inheritor and creator of these values. By getting to know and supporting each other, we will be stronger! Friendship and unity are not a given in themselves - they are created, protected and strengthened by the common efforts of all of us. In their books, our talented writers teach us, that the daily challenges of the past years prove us. We will be strong together!”

Translating and reading the literature of our neighbors enriches us not only with knowledge of the history, geography, culture of the neighboring country, but also allows us to feel the aesthetic world of another nation, as well as to understand the values ​​that are common to all humanity and that are important to every person. Understanding the importance of the book for cultural diplomacy and strengthening regional identity, the Embassy of Latvia in Lithuania supported the international Lithuanian and Latvian school library project “Balts Literature Week” for the sixth year, which was organized by Vytauto Didžiojo universitetas in autumn. The aim of the project is to promote students’ reading skills, to promote interest in the history, language, and literature of Balts nations.

In 2023, 47 schools from Lithuania and 16 schools from Latvia participated in the project. You can find out about the activities organized in schools in the Facebook group of the project Baltų literatisos savaitė/Balts literatures week. In Lithuanian schools, in 2023, special attention was paid to the works of the outstanding Latvian writer Imants Ziedoņis - the students read “Krāsainās pasakas”, “Lāču pasaka”, epiphanies and poetry, thus joining the initiative to celebrate the poet’s anniversary and participating in the initiative of the Lithuanian Literary Translators’ Union to declare 2023 as the year of Latvian literature. As gratitude for participating in the project and popularizing Latvian literature, school libraries will be presented with the newest translations of Latvian literature into Lithuanian.

Project organizer:

Vytauto Didžiojo universitetas

Project partners:

Association “Lithuania and Latvia Forum”

Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in Lithuania

Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Latvia

Ziedonis Museum

Supporters:

SIA “Kafijas Draugs”

SIA “Lonas”

Photo: Janina Skirgailiene