About LatviaTypes
of Reference on Our ShelfHistoryCultureby Timeline>by Materials
|
Our collection reproduces a diverse array
of printed media:
Arranged by timeline. Use
the link tabs above for alternate views.
- The quintessential view of the Riga skyline, circa 1550, and still recognizeable today, from Sebastian Munster's "Cosmographia Universalis", and part of the Lord's Prayer in Latvian
- "Livlandische Schweiz" (The Livonian Switzerland), a scenic Latvian photo album (20 pictures) by C. Schulz, ca. 1880
- Album "Riga" ca. 1910, a large-format photo album (3 dozen pictures) of Riga at the start of the 20th century
- "In Memory of the First President of Latvia, Jānis Čakste", a memorial photo album dedicated to the first President of Latvia; pub. 1927
- Folk Costumes (Anna Darzina postcards), pictures and details; published in the D.P. camps, ca. 1948
- "Pa Latvijas Celiem" (Along Latvia's Roads), inscribed Soviet-era postcard set, ca. 1960
- "RIGA", The National Encyclopedia, the full entry for Riga, accompanied with engraved illustration; full reprint; pub. circa 1897
- "Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland", The New Human Interest Library, illustrated encyclopedia articles on the Baltic countries, published 1928
- "Primary Sources in European Diplomacy, 1914-1945 A Bibliography of Published Memoirs and Diaries", by Frederic M. Messick, a compilation listing all published first-hand accounts of the major diplomatic events and personal experiences of the WWI to WWII period, reference excerpt
- "Kopoti Raksti" (Karlis Skalbe's Collected Works), excerpted and translated poetry, ca. 1947
- "Latviska un Moderna Virtuve" (The Latvian and Modern Kitchen), traditional Latvian recipes, excerpts and translations; pub. Fischbach D.P. Camp, Germany, 1949
- "The Freedom Monument" (Brīvības Piemineklis), art critic Jānis Siliņš' discussion of the Freedom Monument (complete, partially translated), 1935
- The First Latvian Arts and Crafts Exhibition (I Latvijas Daiļamatniecības Izstāde), complete catalog, 1937
- "These Names Accuse—Nominal List of Latvians Deported to Soviet Russia", the circumstances leading up to and including the Soviet occupation and deportations of 1940-1941 during the "Year of Terror" ("Baigais Gads" in Latvian), and list of those deported; second edition, pub. Stockholm, 1982
- "Latviesu Trimdinieka Kalendars 1947" (The Latvian Exile's Calendar 1947), complete facsimile [Latvian] and poetry translations; published in the D.P. camps, 1947
- "The Story of Latvia—A Historical Survey", Arved Švābe's concise history of Latvia, from the Balts inhabiting now western Russia through the Soviet occupation (complete book, also in PDF), 1949
- "Latvia—Our Dream is Coming True", quintessential Soviet propaganda by Vilis Lacis—a lesson for today; complete book; published 1959
- "Attitudes of the Major Soviet Nationalities, Latvia and the Latvians", a project of M.I.T.'s Center for International Studies; complete book, also in PDF format; pub. 1973
- "Soviet Aggression Against the Baltic States", Supreme Court Senator August Rumpēters superbly detailed and annotated treatise examining the Soviet-Baltic relationship and its basis in treaties and international law, published 1974
- Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, full text of the secret protocol carving up Eastern Europe between Stalin and Hitler, 1939
- Munters, Vilhelms, Latvia's last foreign minister (first independence), from July 1936 to June 1940
|
Letts Go Looking
|
First and foremost, whether researching
on the Internet or in print, it is up to you to determine what's opinion,
conjecture, and fact. As recently as 2001—ten years after Latvian
independence—a British Airways tourist brochure published as fact the
Soviet era propaganda that Latvia's Freedom Monument was erected by the Baltic
peoples in grateful thanks to their "liberator," Stalin.
The second challenge is that
Latvia has been under Latvian control less than 50 years out of the last eight
centuries. Most accounts of "Latvian" history start with the founding of Riga
in 1201—a date as well known to the Latvians as 1066 is to the English.
Reflecting German domination, for most of their history, Liepaja is Libau,
Ventspils is Vindau, Jelgava is Mitau, Kuldiga is Goldingen, the Gauja is the
Aa... from historical accounts to birth records, everything before Latvian
independence reflects these "foreign" names.
The hurdles are many, and so are
the rewards for those persistent enough! |
|
|
|
Buy at amazon.com
Mailer Archive
Curling Up With a Good Book
|
Our most recent reviews: Defender of Minorities Paul Schiemann, 1876-1944 by John Hiden Materials on Latvian nationalism and independence...present a strongly nationalistic picture of Latvia's first independence: Latvians shedding the twin yokes of Baltic German and Tsarist oppression. Nowhere is it mentioned that a Baltic German—Paul Schiemann—was a pivotal figure in defining Latvian identity and achieving Latvian sovereignty. [More] The Rings of My Tree: A Latvian Woman's Journey, by Jane E. Cunningham, is a well-told story of one young woman's journey starting in pre-WWII Latvia. We follow Jane's friend Mirdza as she is ripped from her beloved home in Liepaja [More] |
Links
- Baltic Shop, love that Latvian bread!
- D.P. Albums, life in D.P. camps in Germany, 1945-1950 [LV]
- D.P. Camps, all post-WWII D.P. camps in all countries, all nationalities
- Hoover Institution Library and Archives at Stanford University, Baltic Collection
- Kolyma, the Land of Gold and Death, by Stanislaw J. Kowalski, a chilling and compelling first-hand story of the frozen wastelands of Siberia, superbly documented with facts and figures (link)
- Latvian genealogy, Val Stils' voluminous collection of pointers and reference
- Latvians Online, virtual Latvian community
- Latvia weather—Riga wunderground.com five day forecast
- New York Latvian Concert Choir, a leader in Latvian music since 1975
- TILTS ("Bridge"), Latvian Cultural Association
|
|