News

In 2025, the 500th anniversary of Latvian books will be celebrated. Noting the meaning and influence of the written word in society through the centuries, the National Library of Latvia (NLL) is launching a series of events over several years entitled 500 Years of Latvian Books. This programme will be introduced by a new exhibition at the NLL – The Return. The Oldest Surviving Book in Latvian – which also covers the Jesuit Order and its activities in Latvia. This will be accompanied by a catalogue of the book collection of the Rīga Jesuit College reconstructed by NLL bibliographers will be opened.

With the last stage of the competition in Brussels (Belgium) and the international final conference, streamed live from Brussels and Riga (Latvia), the Erasmus + program project Debate Your Issue (DYI) has reached its end. The conference presented an overview of the project, its progress, lessons learned, as well as related topics such as civic activism, self-expression, critical thinking, youth work and the role of debate in promoting the above. The conference recording is available HERE.

On 4 September, the National Library of Latvia (NLL) will present a Cultural Canon White Night programme. The event will be part of the annual contemporary White Night cultural forum, which this year is dedicated to the 120th Anniversary of Latvian poet Aleksandrs Čaks. From 20:30 to 23:30 the NLL will offer an outdoor cinema, a pop-up exhibition of handwritten poems by Aleksandrs Čaks, an exhibition dedicated to Latvian stage director Oļģerts Kroders and the opportunity to enjoy a view of nocturnal Riga vistas. Entrance to all events is free.

An online conference – Localising the Sustainable Development Goals through Baltic museums and libraries – will be held on 23 and 24 September with the aim of strengthening museums and libraries as key local actors in promoting sustainable development through cultural heritage. The conference motto is Ask Your library! Ask Your museum! This reflects the commitment of libraries and museums to playing the roles of expert and public advisor on sustainable development issues. The conference is being organised by the Latvian Museum Association, the National Library of Latvia and the Library Association of Latvia, in cooperation with the Estonian and Lithuanian Museum and Librarians' Associations. The project is being implemented with the financial support of the UNESCO Participation Programme, marking thirty years since Latvia's accession to international organisations – the UN and UNESCO – whose activities are aimed at ensuring global peace and security and promoting sustainable development by facilitating transnational cooperation.